Kevin Cheveldayoff is well aware that the trade request from elite goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has drawn immense NHL attention, yet the Winnipeg Jets general manager is refusing to hurry the process.
“I don’t view this as a race against the clock. My responsibility lies with the Winnipeg Jets organization, its roster, and our supporters. My sole focus is making the correct decision,” Cheveldayoff explained during a Thursday morning press briefing.
“We are discussing trading an athlete who has played a vital role in this club and possesses incredible talent. Naturally, we anticipate a return of equal value, and so far, no offer has emerged that satisfies the needs of both organizations involved.”
According to Cheveldayoff, Hellebuyck—who remains under a seven-year agreement with five seasons left—informed the front office of his desire to be traded during postseason exit meetings last spring.
The general manager noted that the franchise maintained confidentiality regarding the matter, “in part because he asked,” and has spent the subsequent months attempting to orchestrate a suitable trade.
The 33-year-old netminder chose to share the development publicly in late August, a move that somewhat blindsided the Jets organization.
While Cheveldayoff admitted he received no advance warning of the public announcement, he conceded he had anticipated that the representatives of the three-time Vezina trophy winner might eventually take that step.
As training camp commenced on Wednesday without Hellebuyck in attendance, the club issued a suspension for his absence in accordance with the NHL and NHLPA collective bargaining agreement, Cheveldayoff explained.
“Regrettably, we have to deal with the circumstances as they stand,” he remarked. “My priority is to remain objective and prevent personal feelings from influencing our actions in any way.”
When questioned about whether Hellebuyck could potentially return to the team if a transaction fails to materialize, Cheveldayoff stated that “every option remains on the table.”
“With five seasons remaining on his current deal, the final decision ultimately rests with him,” the GM pointed out.
“Until he officially departs, Connor is a member of this group. I can’t say I fully grasp the reasoning behind some of his recent actions.”
Though Cheveldayoff intends to keep negotiating with other franchises, he emphasized that finding a trade partner for a goaltender is far more complicated than the public realizes.
“Any club that already possesses an established starting netminder on a long-term deal is unlikely to pursue this option. That is simply a reflection of the current market dynamics for goalies, not a criticism of Connor’s abilities,” Cheveldayoff explained.
“The landscape can shift instantly with just one conversation. We are simply taking this one step at a time.”
For the time being, Hellebuyck does not face any monetary penalties for his holdout, Cheveldayoff noted, though he declined to elaborate on the specific mechanics.
“Particular clauses within the standard player contract and the collective bargaining agreement govern this exact scenario,” he remarked.
“Given how complex the CBA is, I prefer not to recite those highly detailed provisions from memory without the actual text before me.”
Jets stars Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele, alongside GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and local supporters, share their thoughts on Connor Hellebuyck’s suspension after he failed to arrive for training camp.
The Jets originally selected Hellebuyck in the 2012 draft, and he made his first appearance in net for the club in November 2015.
When the franchise secured both Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele with identical $8.5 million contract extensions in 2023, the move was widely hailed as a declaration that the organization was dedicated to assembling a perennial championship contender.
However, the Jets’ subsequent 2023-24 campaign concluded abruptly with a swift departure from the postseason.
The next year, the team made history by establishing a new NHL record for the strongest season opener, capturing victories in 14 of their initial 15 matchups. Although they claimed the top spot in the division to end the regular season, they suffered a second-round playoff elimination.
By the 2025-26 season, the team failed to qualify for the playoffs altogether, prompting Hellebuyck’s official request for a trade.
“Without question, our performance last season fell short of expectations,” Cheveldayoff acknowledged, though he maintained confidence in the roster—a sentiment recently echoed by Scheifele.
“People are free to hold their own views and assessments, but the core objective of this franchise has consistently been to secure championships. That resolve remains absolute,” Cheveldayoff asserted.
In February of 2026, Hellebuyck was part of the gold-medal-winning American Olympic hockey squad that was invited to the White House to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump.
On that same day, Hellebuyck and his teammates were honored with a prolonged, two-minute standing ovation from members of both political parties during the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol.
President Trump also announced that Hellebuyck, who put on a stellar 41-save performance in the championship final, would be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s premier civilian distinction.
During his Thursday remarks, Cheveldayoff revealed that Hellebuyck faced significant online abuse following his Olympic participation.
“That is unfortunately the dark side of navigating social media in this day and age,” Cheveldayoff commented. “While you want to engage with the public and build a bridge with supporters, not everyone who interacts with you has genuine intentions.”
The general manager is well aware of external criticisms suggesting he delayed too long in seeking a trade, missed an opportunity to acquire a premium selection during the June entry draft, or that his leverage has evaporated now that teams have finalized their rosters for the upcoming season.
He dismissed the online speculation, stating that the internet is flooded with groundless theories about hypothetical transactions.
“Ultimately, our focus must remain strictly on the actual facts of the situation,” he stated.
He made it clear that he was not prepared to trade his star player solely for long-term prospects or draft picks.
“That would send the wrong signal to core players like Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, Josh Morrissey, and Dylan Samberg, who have pledged their loyalty to this team,” he explained.
“Our struggles last season served as a humbling lesson. There is a collective determination and a point to prove among the players in that locker room, and they are eager to show both the media and our fanbase what they are truly capable of.”
