Traktor Chelyabinsk and goaltender Chris Driedger have terminated their contract upon mutual agreement, the KHL club announced [https://hctraktor.org/media/news/86686-spasibo-za-rabotu-kris-driger/] on Sunday. The news came two days after it was announced that Connor Hellebuyck would be out [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets/latest-news/jets-stunned-as-hellebuyck-sidelined-hot-prospect-milic-set-for-potential-nhl-debut] of the Winnipeg Jets [http://thn.com/winnipeg]’ lineup for four to six weeks. The Jets retained Driedger’s NHL rights when he signed with Chelyabinsk in June [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/former-nhl-goalie-chris-driedger-signs-in-khl]. The Jets called up 22-year-old Thomas Milic [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets/latest-news/hometown-goalie-called-up-to-ahl-moose-as-milic-joins-nhl-jets] from the AHL [http://thn.com/ahl]’s Manitoba Moose and re-assigned Isaac Poulter from the ECHL [http://thn.com/echl] to Manitoba. The Jets might plan to assign Driedger to the Moose as insurance if the duo of Milic and Eric Comrie falters before Hellebuyck returns. In 23 games this season with Traktor, Driedger has a goals-against average of 3.05, a .917 save percentage, one shutout and a record of 8-9-1. Traktor currently sits fifth in the KHL’s 11-team Western Conference with a record of 13-12-5. It's often the case when KHL contracts are terminated by mutual agreement that the player already has another job lined up. Just two weeks ago, Spencer Martin – another former NHL goalie who signed a KHL contract this past off-season – ended his stay with CSKA Moscow [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/canadian-ex-nhl-goalie-released-from-khl-club]. The following day, Martin signed with the New York Rangers [http://thn.com/nyrangers]. Spencer Martin's KHL Journey Ends After 14 Games [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/d0e371d9-e8e2-4fc0-b365-c6ac98c333e2.jpeg] Spencer Martin's KHL Journey Ends After 14 Games Ex-NHL goalie Spencer Martin's KHL journey ends abruptly. After signing with CSKA Moscow, his tenure was cut short amidst team struggles and the performance a younger netminder. [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/canadian-ex-nhl-goalie-released-from-khl-club] Driedger, who was born and raised in Winnipeg, played junior hockey for the WHL [http://thn.com/whl]’s Tri-City Americans and Calgary Hitmen, was chosen in the third round, 76th overall, by the Ottawa Senators [http://thn.com/ottawa] in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Between 2014 and 2024, Driedger played 67 NHL regular-season games for the Senators, Florida Panthers [http://thn.com/florida] and Seattle Kraken [http://thn.com/seattle], compiling a record of 31-24-5 with a goals-against average of 2.45, a save percentage of .917 and five shutouts. He also played three playoff games for Florida in 2021. Winnipeg acquired Driedger in a trade with Florida in 2025 – he played only five AHL games with the Moose at the end of the 2024-25 season. Internationally, Driedger played in six of Canada’s 10 games at the 2022 IIHF World Championship in Finland, backstopping the team to a silver medal. Jets Prospect Viktor Klingsell Shines and Sparks Helmet Debate [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/a0155402-c948-4e1c-963f-ffb731c90151.jpeg] Jets Prospect Viktor Klingsell Shines and Sparks Helmet Debate Winnipeg Jets prospect Viktor Klingsell continues to dominate Sweden’s U20 league and has broken into the SHL, drawing attention both for his standout play and his decision to wear a full fishbowl for added protection. [https://thehockeynews.com/international/players/jets-prospect-viktor-klingsell-shines-and-sparks-helmet-debate]
