The Winnipeg Jets have suspended goaltender Connor Hellebuyck after he failed to report for training camp. The team made the announcement on Wednesday night, September 16, 2026.
General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is set to speak with reporters on Thursday morning. No length for the suspension has been given yet.
Star goalie seeks new start
Hellebuyck, 33, publicly asked for a trade on August 27 through his agent Ray Petkau. He said he had requested a move several months earlier and handled it quietly at first. “My position has not changed. I believe moving on is the best path forward for me and my family,” he stated.
The three-time Vezina Trophy winner and 2025 Hart Trophy recipient as NHL MVP has spent his entire 11-year career with the Jets. He is also a U.S. Olympic gold medalist.
Hellebuyck is entering the third year of a seven-year contract extension signed in 2023 that carries an average annual value of $8.5 million. While suspended, he will not receive his salary and his contract will not count against the Jets’ salary cap.
Background on the dispute
Last season the Jets missed the playoffs after a disappointing year. Hellebuyck posted a 23-23-11 record with a 2.86 goals-against average and a career-low .895 save percentage.
In the previous season he won both the Hart and Vezina trophies after leading the league with a 2.00 GAA and eight shutouts. He has expressed a desire to win a Stanley Cup and questioned the team’s direction.
Possible landing spots mentioned in reports include the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes and Utah. The Jets have listened to offers but have not completed a deal. Captain Adam Lowry said the team must focus on preparing for the season rather than the ongoing situation.
Training camp is set to open and the regular season begins in early October. The suspension leaves the Jets turning to other goaltenders for now. A trade or a change of heart by Hellebuyck remain the main paths to resolution.
