Connor Hellebuyck's Jets standoff takes another dramatic turn after Frank Seravalli's update
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Frank Seravalli says Connor Hellebuyck could sit out his age-33 season and forfeit $7 million as the Jets prepare to open the year without their star goalie.
The Winnipeg Jets are days away from opening the season, and the biggest question around the team has nothing to do with the lineup.
It's whether Connor Hellebuyck plays a single game for them in 2026-27.
Frank Seravalli added fuel to the fire Tuesday.
The insider predicted Hellebuyck could sit out his entire age-33 season and give up $7 million along the way.
That's a huge number to leave on the table.
How things got this far
Hellebuyck asked for a trade in the offseason, and Winnipeg hasn't found a deal it likes.
He never reported to training camp, so the Jets suspended him on September 17.
General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has said no door is closed on a return, but he also made it clear the choice belongs to the goalie.
Elliotte Friedman added on 32 Thoughts that he isn't expecting Hellebuyck to show up for the start of the season, and that Carolina is still very interested.
For now, Stuart Skinner is lined up to start in net when the Jets host the Boston Bruins on October 2.
What a lost year would really mean
Hellebuyck is 33 years old and signed through 2030-31 at an $8.5 million cap hit, with a no-movement clause.
He also has a Hart Trophy from 2024-25 and an Olympic gold medal from this past February.
Giving up a full season of pay and a full season of hockey would be a massive gamble at this stage of his career.
Keep in mind this is a prediction, not a report that anything is set in stone.
But with the regular season this close and no trade in sight, it's a scenario Jets fans can't ignore anymore.
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