At least three teams remain in the mix to trade for Connor Hellebuyck, sources told ESPN, though there is no guarantee the Winnipeg Jets goaltender will be moved before his team-issued suspension expires Friday.
If a trade doesn’t come to fruition this week, the Jets could resume paying Hellebuyck while keeping him away from the team, according to sources.
The 33-year-old Hellebuyck is losing about $39,000 per day after being suspended for failing to report to training camp. As Sportsnet first reported over the weekend, the Jets informed Hellebuyck in writing that his suspension would expire on Friday, October 23. Under the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement, players who fail to report to training camp may receive a “disciplinary suspension of an appropriate period”.
The three-time Vezina Trophy winner has forfeited nearly $800,000 in salary as of Monday. He has been getting regular ice time at Michigan.
Hellebuyck, who led the U.S. men’s hockey team to Olympic gold in February, requested a trade from Winnipeg this summer. He is in the third year of a seven-year, $59.5 million contract.
One of the NHL’s top goaltenders, Hellebuyck won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 2025.
Hellebuyck has not publicly elaborated on his reasons for requesting a trade, only saying in a statement last month: “I believe moving forward is the best path forward for me and my family.”
Hellebuyck has a full no-movement clause, meaning he gets any trade destination approved, although this changes to a modified no-trade clause next summer.