Jets' Kevin Cheveldayoff Remains In The Driver's Seat Regarding Connor Hellebuyck Despite Kings' Rumored Interest

Listen, we get it, lots of teams should be interested in trading for Winnipeg Jets superstar goalie Connor Hellebuyck.

But there’s a reason Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff hasn’t pulled the trigger on a Hellebuyck blockbuster trade, despite Hellebuyck failing to report to training camp and being suspended indefinitely.

The reason is simply that no team has offered trade capital that fits Cheveldayoff's needs.

Hellebuyck picked the wrong GM to pull a power play, and if it’s not clear already, it should be clear to everyone: the Jets are taking a hard line. If you’re a Winnipeg fan, you have to appreciate the tact Cheveldayoff is showing by putting the team first and the players second.

That said, let’s put to rest the notion that the Los Angeles Kings are a front-runner to trade for Hellebuyck. First, let’s acknowledge that the Kings should be interested in him. Los Angeles has had a goalie carousel in recent seasons, so GM Ken Holland is probably tearing his hair out trying to put together a trade package for Hellebuyck. And Hellebuyck would likely leap at the chance to play in the calm of California. 

However, what do the Kings have in a trade package that would satisfy Cheveldayoff? Not much, in this writer’s estimation. The Jets aren’t interested in draft picks and prospects. They’re built to win now. So any Hellebuyck trade has to make Winnipeg better in the present. Otherwise, Cheveldayoff will be trading a Hart Trophy and Vezina Trophy winner for pennies on the dollar.

Cheveldayoff still seems firmly in the driver's seat in the Hellebuyck saga, and every passing day deepens the bad blood between Hellebuyck and Cheveldayoff. Hellebuyck could’ve worked through his trade demand and played for Winnipeg until they found the right trade fit.

But Hellebuyck decided to put himself ahead of the team, and by not simply giving Hellebuyck away, Cheveldayoff took off his gloves and did what was best for the franchise. 

Although Hellebuyck will sooner or later be an ex-Jet, Winnipeg fans should be happy with how Cheveldayoff has carried himself here. He’s not out there running down Hellebuyck as a human being, but he is holding firm and not budging on getting equal value for a top-five goalie in the world. But in making his trade demand, Hellebuyck decided to start a stare-down, and as it stands, Cheveldayoff won’t be blinking for quite some time.

Cheveldayoff’s steady steering through this turbulent situation should make Jets fans feel good about an otherwise bad situation. Their star goalie may have quit on them, but Cheveldayoff hasn’t done the same. He’s willing to let Hellebuyck stew in his juices until an opposing GM steps up with a trade package commensurate with Hellebuyck’s impact. 

And as Hellebuyck sits on the sidelines, the terrible truth is this: he has only himself to blame.

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