With speculation that the Jets will explore the commercial market for goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, a new twist adds to the drama surrounding the first-class netminder. According to a report by The Athletic, Hellebuyck has apparently notified the Jets organization that he will not sign an extension with the franchise when his current contract expires at the end of next season.
After pre-existing rumors that Hellebuyck might be available and with the upcoming season being the last on his current contract, the Jets are faced with a crucial decision over the netminder star. The news now is that since his next contract will not be with the Winnipeg Jets, this indicates an imminent departure from the team.
Hellebuyck, at just 30 years old, has proven himself to be one of the best goalkeepers in the league in recent years. Despite his consistent performances and critical contributions to the team’s success, his current contract greatly undervalues him in comparison to the higher earners in the NHL. And since the Jets seem poised to make big changes, the makeup of his current team looking very different and the fact that he’s making less than names like Carey Price, Sergei Bobrovsky and Andrei Vasilevskiy, the snowball effect of the drama in Winnipeg creates expectations for Hellebuyck to seek a deal more. a profit once he lands in unrestricted free agency the next summer—preferably with a competitor.
The sports article writes:
Then there’s Connor Hellebuyck (No. 2 on the 2.0 Trade Board) and Mark Scheifele (No. 3), both of whom are entering the final year of their deals. Both possibilities are trading this summer. Nor should there be confusion about whether Hellebuyck is interested in signing an extension in Winnipeg. The ship has sailed. His next contract will be with a new team.
These developments come on the heels of news that agent Pat Bryson has informed Jets general manager that forward Pierre-Luc Dubois is not interested in re-signing with the team. Bryson expressed his willingness to facilitate trade that would benefit both parties involved. While speculation is that Dubois may find a new home in Montreal, the future remains uncertain for Hellebuyck, who could be on the radar of a number of teams and may not exclusively want to go to one destination.
What will the planes do about the Hellebuyck?
If the team reports that it won’t sign a new deal, it’s an eerily similar situation to the one the Calgary Flames faced last summer when Matthew Tkachuk gave the team a heads up that he wasn’t coming back. Tkachuk, who was a restricted free agent, has agreed to an eight-year contract with Florida moving forward through the 2029-30 season. The Flames felt they had no choice but to trade forwards and returns, which (strong on paper though) didn’t work out for Calgary. The trade was a clear winner early going to the Florida Panthers.
With the commercial market heating up and the Jets facing the prospect of major roster changes, fans and analysts alike are eagerly awaiting resolution of these situations. The potential departures of both Hellebuyck and Dubois will undoubtedly affect team dynamics and prompt Jets management to take strategic steps in order to stay competitive.
The coming months promise to be transformative for the Winnipeg Jets. As they navigate the complex landscape of trades and contracts, one thing is certain: Connor Hellebuyck’s exit will mark the end of an era for the Jets, and his next destination will be eagerly watched by the entire hockey community.
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