Connor Hellebuyck: 'Majority of NHL Doesn't Want To Play In Winnipeg'
Turns out some comments Connor Hellebuyck made in April are gaining a ton of attention online.
“Can you get the pieces that you need? Will the players come? These are always questions that you have in Winnipeg,” Hellebuyck said in an end-of-season rant in April, after the Jets missed the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. “I’ve made it my home and I like it here, but the majority of the league doesn’t feel the same way.”
The current Winnipeg Jets goaltender, who asked for a trade in June, went on quite the rant back in April after the Jets missed the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. While trade talks have certainly gained steam throughout the summer, Hellebuyck hasn't been happy with the lack of progress in a deal. Regardless, his comments from April aren't necessarily selling the idea of a deal coming to fruition.
The 33-year-old Hellebuyck has five seasons left on his contract at $8.5 million AAV, and owns a full no-movement clause in his contract until July, when his trade protection changes to a 10-team trade list. It's hopeful for everyone involved to see a resolution long before then, as Hellebuyck applied some pressure on the Jets, and appears to be willing to go to roughly 5-7 teams.
The Jets can get creative with this deal, but regardless of the return, they need to hit a home run here. Losing this trade could set the franchise back years, and with a number of their core players likely with one foot out, things could go from bad to worse with their roster.
As far as trade destinations go for Hellebuyck, the Sabres, Hurricanes, Avalanche, Golden Knights, Mammoth and Sharks appear to have the most interest.