Connor Hellebuyck could take drastic step if Jets refuse trade request

Connor Hellebuyck has already made his frustration public, and now the pressure on the Winnipeg Jets is starting to look a lot more serious.

TSN analyst Marty Biron believes the star goaltender could take his standoff a step further by skipping training camp entirely, and possibly sitting out the whole 2026-27 season if the Jets refuse to grant his trade request.

Hellebuyck confirmed last week through agent Ray Petkau that he asked Winnipeg for a trade months ago and only went public because training camp opens on September 16.

The three time Vezina winner is still working through an eight year, $59.5 million contract, carrying an $8.5 million cap hit through the 2030-31 season, with a full no-move clause that runs until next July.

That clause gives him real leverage in exactly this kind of standoff.

Biron didn't hold back when discussing what it would take to actually move him, saying Winnipeg should be asking for a first round pick, a high end prospect and two separate impact players in return.

That's a massive ask for a 33 year old, even one with Hellebuyck's resume, but franchise goaltenders rarely hit the trade block, and Biron doesn't think Winnipeg should settle for less.

GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has said the organization respects everything Hellebuyck has accomplished in Winnipeg but gave no timeline on a resolution.

If Biron is right and Hellebuyck really is willing to walk away from an entire season to force a move, the Jets may not have the luxury of waiting much longer before this turns into a full blown circus once camp opens later this month.

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