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Connor Hellebuyck drops bombshell on potential future with Jets
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- Connor Hellebuyck drops bombshell on potential future with Jets
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The Winnipeg Jets followed up their first ever President's Trophy-winning season last year by missing the playoffs altogether in 2025-26 — and superstar goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is not at all happy about it.
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The men's hockey Olympic gold medalist met with reporters on Friday and did not hold back on the current state of affairs in Manitoba.
"What we did this year was unacceptable and no one wants to be a part of that. Where do we go from here and what's the next step?" Hellebuyck said. "From my perspective, I would like to see… complacency is not going to get us moving forward. So something has got to happen.
"I don't play this game for the money, I don't play it for the fame. I do it for my own personal fun and part of that is winning a Cup. For me, I'm just looking at — I'm hoping I get that. How can I get there?"
By all accounts, it was a miserable campaign for the Jets . They finished 35-35-12, a full 34-point drop from last season. And Hellebuyck took a long pause when asked about his future in Winnipeg.
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"I don't want to go and leave any speculation. I love this city and I love playing here. The fans have given me so much and I've given so much to the fans. There's a real connection there. I wish more people around the league would see that and could see that," the netminder explained.
"To take the step back that we did this year just felt very wrong. From the Presidents' Trophy to this, it felt like this should have never happened. And it did. I'm part of it. I'm not saying that I'm not a big part of it, too. I am. Looking at the future, it takes time. It takes time to re-evaluate those things."
Certainly not what Winnipeg fans want to hear; Hellebuyck is just a year removed from winning the Hart Trophy as league MVP, and he is probably the most important player on the roster. He is also signed through 2029-30 on a deal that's worth $8.5 million annually.
Still, a hugely disappointing season, coupled with Hellebuyck's bombshell comments, ensure that this is going to be a very interesting offseason in Winnipeg.
Related: Jonathan Toews hints at future with Jets after return season
