Connor Hellebuyck‘s suspension ends on Friday, which under normal circumstances would put him one medical examination away from rejoining the Winnipeg Jets roster. Darren Dreger reports that the examination may not happen for a while yet, and that both sides are fine with it.
“There’s a sense there could be an agreement between the Jets and Hellebuyck to delay his physical until a later date out of respect to the Heritage Classic,” Dreger said on TSN. “This weekend is about the game.”
He expanded on the reasoning, which is more cooperative than anything either party has shown since August.
“Hellebuyck, his people, and the Jets want the game to focus on the spectacle that is the Heritage Classic because there is an element of the growth of the game,” Dreger said.
What the standoff has cost Hellebuyck:
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Per day | $38,660 |
| Forfeited so far | roughly $800,000 |
| Across a full season | $7.5 million |
When is the 2026 Heritage Classic?
Nobody involved wants a contract dispute anywhere near it. This is the biggest event on Winnipeg’s calendar all year, an outdoor game against the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday, and a goaltender who has refused to report since September walking back into the building 48 hours beforehand would have sent every camera in the building somewhere other than the ice.
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What hasn’t paused is the trade search. Kevin Cheveldayoff has continued working the phones throughout, with efforts expected to intensify once the weekend is out of the way. Elliotte Friedman has said the Jets would like closure soon but would sooner keep waiting than accept a deal they consider poor.
Supporters aren’t universally charmed by the truce.
“Why would Hellebuyck do the Jets any favors at this point?” one asked.
Once he is eligible again, the $8.5 million cap hit returns to Winnipeg’s books whether he plays or not.
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