‘Can’t let that be a distraction’: Jets staying focused amid Hellebuyck talk
Posted September 8, 2026 4:39 pm.
Connor Hellebuyck’s Winnipeg Jets teammates are doing their best to prevent the star goaltender’s trade request from becoming a distraction.
The Jets addressed the request to the media for the first time on Tuesday, and the tenor of their response was consistent across the board.
“Nothing’s set in stone,” said captain Adam Lowry. “Obviously, the situation is what it is. You spend so much time speculating on it you’re going to drive yourself crazy. Obviously, it’s going to resolve itself one way or the other.”
Lowry added: “Helly’s a good friend of ours. It’s not something that we think is going to really impact the room. It’s not going to create a big divide. It’s a personal decision he’s made and thinks is best for his family.”
The Michigan native is highly decorated, winning the Hart Trophy in 2025, three Vezinas, and was the hero for Team U.S.A. capturing a gold medal at the 2026 Olympics.
“For me individually, it’s kind of an extra wrinkle cause we are friends. Our wives are friends. We have kids the same age. Our kids were playing hockey together and doing all this stuff. Horsing around in the room and all these things. He is a friend first and foremost. So you always check on him and see how he’s doing,” said Dylan DeMelo, Jets defenceman.
“I can only say great things about the city. I love my time here. It’s my home away from home. So for me this is an amazing place to play. It’s an amazing place to raise a family; it’s a great organization top to bottom.”
Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said in late June that he is listening to trade offers for Hellebuyck after a year when they missed the playoffs, one season after winning the Presidents’ Trophy.
Hellebuyck has a full no-movement clause and five years left on a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $8.5 million.
The goalie finally got his first taste of a championship in February when he backstopped Team USA to an Olympic gold medal. It made the Jets’ disappointing season that much worse.
“What we did was unacceptable, and no one wants to be a part of that,” Hellebuyck said in his post-season press conference of his season with the Jets. “This year, it was chaos.”
That led to trade talks, including with the Buffalo Sabres, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
“We can’t let that be a distraction,” said DeMelo. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. In regards to his comments, that’s his business and for him to answer. For us, it’s about getting ready for camp and focusing on the guys we’ve got here.”
-With files from Koby Mitchell
