Jets release official statement after Conor Hellebuyck's stunning trade request
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Connor Hellebuyck confirmed his trade request from Winnipeg, and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff addressed it directly in a new statement Thursday.
Connor Hellebuyck made it official Thursday.
The Winnipeg Jets goaltender confirmed through a statement from his agent, Ray Petkau, that he privately requested a trade months ago and is now going public with training camp closing in fast.
Hours later, the Jets responded.
General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff issued a statement of his own, acknowledging that Connor has been open with the organization about his desire for a change.
He called Hellebuyck an important part of the Jets for many years and said the front office holds tremendous respect for what he's accomplished in Winnipeg.
Cheveldayoff added that the team will continue to work through the situation in a thoughtful manner, though there is no update at this time.
Why now, and why it matters
The timing lines up with what Hellebuyck said in his own statement.
He explained that he tried to handle the request quietly and respectfully, giving the front office time to explore its options, but felt it was important to confirm things publicly before camp opens.
Hellebuyck is entering year five of the seven year, $8.5 million average annual value extension he signed back in 2023, and he carries full trade protection, meaning any deal has to run through him first.
Winnipeg Jets reporter Murat Ates shared the GM's full response on X.
“Connor has been open with us about his desire for a change. He has been an important part of the Winnipeg Jets organization for many years and we have tremendous respect for what he has accomplished here. While we will continue to work through the situation in a thoughtful manner, there is no update at this time.”
- Kevin Cheveldayoff
- Kevin Cheveldayoff
What comes next for the Jets
Hellebuyck is coming off a rocky 2025-26 season that ended with a .895 save percentage, by far his lowest mark since becoming the starter, and Winnipeg missed the playoffs for the first time since 2022.
Even so, he arrives at any trade table as a three time Vezina Trophy winner and last season's Hart winner, fresh off backstopping Team USA to Olympic gold in Milan Cortina.
Don't expect the Jets to rush this.
Cheveldayoff has already shown he's willing to listen without forcing anything, and with Hellebuyck's full trade protection in play, this will likely stretch well into training camp before anything gets resolved.
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