In what may quickly become the busiest offseason in Winnipeg Jets' history, the biggest question pertains to the club's most important player - its Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender.
Connor Hellebuyck hasn't publicly asked to be traded. But after another early exit from the playoffs, could the Jets' No. 1 backstop be moved this summer?
More and more, it's looking like a realistic possibility.
This is a huge summer for Winnipeg, whose core group was questioned after a disappointing first-round exit to the Vegas Golden Knights. And while Hellebuyck could hardly be blamed for how the Jets went down, the Vezina Trophy finalist finds himself at a career crossroads with the team that drafted him in the fifth round (130th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft.
Next year will be the final season of a six-year, $37-million contract that carries an annual $6.16-million cap hit.
On July 1, the Jets could re-sign Hellebucyk to an extension. But based on what he said during his exit interview, a change of scenery might be more of a possibility.
Drafted out of the Odessa Jackalopes NAHL program following an accidental scouting endeavour, the now 30-year-old Michigan product has found himself at a bit of a stalemate.
"My main goal is to win a Stanley Cup, and I'm starting to run out of time and can feel it," Hellebuyck said on Jets' locker room cleanup day. "You've got to make the most of your years. But I'm going to make the most of whatever my situation is, and give my all and give everything I can in the spot or the team that I have."
In the prime of his career, Hellebuyck will need some major improvements to his support system in order for Winnipeg to even be considered a playoff contender, let alone a favourite.
Sure, his multiple Vezina Trophy nominations are fantastic pieces for his trophy chest, but with his ultimate goal yet to come into fruition, it appears as though his days with the Jets could be numbered.
"I'm not interested in a rebuild," said Hellebuyck.
As a product of Commerce, MI., a return to a local club may be of interest for the American. But with Anaheim's John Gibson having reportedly asked for a trade, and speculation that Calgary's Dan Vladar is also available, the goaltending market is certainly heating up.
Detroit, Buffalo, New Jersey, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Los Angeles are all rumoured to be in the mix, should Winnipeg entertain offers as Hellebuyck enters the final season of his six-year deal signed back in 2018.
2018 just so happened to be the Jets' deepest playoff run since returning to Winnipeg. Multiple early drop-outs suggest the team's current roster makeup isn't where it needs to be in order to make the Stanley Cup Final.
Its goaltender is certainly world class, but holes up front and an on-again, off-again blueline have contributed to difficult showings in each of Winnipeg's four most postseason appearances following their 2018 loss to Vegas in the Western Conference Final.
Some of the pieces certainly have proven to be playoff performers over the years, but others have fizzled out as the seasons have hit their high points.
With Winnipeg continuing to push the narrative that just a few changes are needed in order to run it back with the same core pieces, a long summer of change very well could be on the horizon. But those expected alterations could be far fetched.
"I don't know what the future of this team's going to look like," Hellebuyck said. "I don't know what their plans are, and I don't know if I'm in it, to be honest. I'm not sure what they're thinking. As far as I'm concerned, I'm going to give everything wherever I am. If they decide to move me, that's their call. If they decide to try to talk, I haven't really thought about that, yet. Time's on my side. I've got all summer. I'm not in any rush."
General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has not typically been reactive to outside pressure, but rather maintains his lane and works quietly behind the scenes.
The question is whether Cheveldayoff and the Jets are ready to move on from Hellebuyck.
With the clock ticking on a number of big-name contracts including Pierre-Luc Dubois (RFA, 2023), Mark Scheifele (UFA, 2024), Blake Wheeler (UFA, 2024) and most notably Hellebuyck (UFA, 2024), the thought of a major roster overhaul isn't as far fetched as one might think.
Should Hellebuyck's name be dangled to other league managers, Cheveldayoff's expected return for the former Vezina winner and two-time finalist would be astronomical.
A top-tier prospect, a first round pick and likely additional depth options is expected to be the starting point.
Players of obvious interest from the seven frontrunners would include Jesper Bratt (New Jersey), Devon Levi (Buffalo), Sebastian Cossa (Detroit), Alex DeBrincat (Ottawa), Brandt Clarke (Los Angeles), Colton Parayko (St. Louis) and Owen Pickering (Pittsburgh).
The prominent deals for Cheveldayoff would include that of a youthful goaltending prospect coming to Winnipeg in return. A deal involving either Levi or Cossa would be a serious victory for the longtime Jets GM. But whether Kevyn Adams or Steve Yzerman would take a bite at the eight-year NHL pro will remain a hot topic as the summer progresses.
With the 2023 NHL Draft and free agency just around the corner, Hellebuyck's name will likely remain under the spotlight until the bulb needs changing.