Darren Dreger puts the nail in the coffin for Connor Hellebuyck and the Jets

TSN insider Darren Dreger said on First Up that he does not expect the star goaltender to report, adding that people close to Hellebuyck do not believe he is coming to Winnipeg at all.

Hellebuyck's absence would cap off a summer that has steadily unraveled for both sides. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner made his trade request public in late August through a statement from his agent, confirming reports that first surfaced back in June.

He said he had asked to be moved months earlier and tried to handle the situation quietly, but felt the approach of camp made a public confirmation necessary.

According to Dreger, Winnipeg's problem is not a lack of interest around the league, it is the quality of what is coming in.

He described the offers on the table as terrible, noting that most contenders already have their goaltending situations settled and are not desperate enough to pay a premium for a 32-year-old netminder, even one of Hellebuyck's caliber.

Teams that genuinely need a solution in net face a different obstacle entirely. Dreger believes Hellebuyck is unwilling to waive his no-trade clause for any Canadian franchise, which removes clubs like Montreal and any other domestic suitor from realistic consideration, even as his camp has reportedly expanded the list of teams he would accept a deal to.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman echoed the uncertainty on his own podcast, saying the question hanging over the Jets this week is simply whether Hellebuyck shows up at all.

He noted the expectation dating back to summer was that if a trade was not finalized before camp, Hellebuyck would stay away rather than turn the situation into a distraction for teammates.

Jets forward Josh Morrissey addressed the situation directly at the team's golf tournament this week, acknowledging it is something the room cannot ignore heading into the season.

With no deal in place and Winnipeg reportedly unwilling to accept a discounted return, the standoff looks likely to carry into the regular season with no resolution in sight.

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