As trade talks cool and the regular season nears, the Jets remain patient, holding out hope their star goaltender will reconsider his trade request and stay.
Last Friday, Winnipeg Jets General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff addressed the ongoing situation surrounding star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, telling the media that the door isn't closed on the three-time Vezina Trophy winner returning to the team despite his trade request this past offseason.
That sentiment has continued to gain traction in recent days, with insider reports suggesting a return for Hellebuyck could still be a realistic possibility. Appearing on the Fan Morning Show Monday, insider Frank Seravalli said plainly that "the door is open," adding that the reason Winnipeg has been in no rush to move the 33-year-old is that the organization is holding out hope he'll ultimately change his mind and suit up for one more season with the Jets.
Later that same day on Oilers Now, Seravalli identified a handful of teams he believes could still be in the mix should Hellebuyck ultimately be dealt, naming the San Jose Sharks, Utah Mammoth and Vegas Golden Knights as potential landing spots.
Also speaking Monday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said he hadn't heard much recent chatter regarding trade talks involving Hellebuyck, describing the market as having gone quiet.
The combination of a cooled trade market and Winnipeg's continued patience with its franchise goaltender has raised an obvious question of is Hellebuyck reconsidering his desire to leave?
With the regular season now just nine days away, time is running short for a decision to be made before Hellebuyck would begin forfeiting pay by continuing to hold out.
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