Connor Hellebuyck could be back with the Winnipeg Jets this week, placing the club’s most important unresolved issue at the centre of its early-season plans.
The three-time Vezina Trophy winner has been suspended since failing to report for training camp in September.
The suspension is reportedly scheduled to end Friday, October 23, although the Jets have not publicly confirmed that date.
Winnipeg coach Scott Arniel said Monday that the organization remains uncertain about what will happen next, including whether Hellebuyck will report, be traded or remain away from the team.
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Jets waiting for clarity on Connor Hellebuyck
“Everybody’s waiting to see,” Arniel said, describing the situation as unknown for the coaching staff and players.
Arniel’s comments came after reports that Hellebuyck had told the Jets before the regular season began that he intended to return to the organization.
That reported change in position has not resolved his trade request, which became public in August.
The Jets acknowledged on August 27 that Hellebuyck wanted a change, saying the team would continue working through the situation.
Winnipeg then suspended him after he did not attend the opening day of training camp.
Hellebuyck’s suspension was initially described as indefinite.
Under the circumstances surrounding his failure to report, Winnipeg had additional authority to impose a suspension of reasonable length under the NHL’s collective bargaining framework.
What could happen when the suspension ends?
Several outcomes remain possible if the reported October 23 end date stands.
- A trade: Winnipeg could move Hellebuyck before he returns to the active roster if another team meets its asking price.
- A return to the Jets: The goaltender could report and attempt to rejoin a club he has publicly asked to leave.
- A temporary separation: The Jets could continue paying him while keeping him away from the lineup.
- A conditioning assignment: Winnipeg could explore a minor-league conditioning stint before deciding whether he is ready to play NHL games.
The team’s immediate roster situation could make a return complicated.
Winnipeg has opened the season with Stuart Skinner and Clay Stevenson in goal, and both have taken regular turns while Hellebuyck has been unavailable.
Skinner has started five games and Stevenson three through the Jets’ first eight contests, according to the latest league update.
Winnipeg entered Tuesday with a 4-2-2 record.
Winnipeg has started well without its star goalie
The Jets have managed to stay competitive despite losing a goaltender who has been the foundation of their team for more than a decade.
Skinner was 3-0-2 with a 2.76 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage in his first five starts for Winnipeg this season.
Stevenson was 1-2-0 with a 3.08 goals-against average and an .893 save percentage.
Those numbers do not eliminate the value of Hellebuyck, but they have given Winnipeg some short-term stability while management works through the trade dispute.
Hellebuyck remains the franchise leader among Jets goaltenders in games played, starts and wins.
He also won the Hart Trophy and his third Vezina Trophy in 2024-25 after posting 47 wins, a 2.00 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage.
His 2025-26 season was less successful.
Hellebuyck went 23-23-11 with a 2.86 goals-against average and an .895 save percentage as Winnipeg missed the playoffs.
Critical week ahead for the Jets
Winnipeg’s schedule adds urgency to the situation.
The Jets visit the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday and the Dallas Stars on Thursday before hosting the Montreal Canadiens in the 2026 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic on Sunday.
If Hellebuyck is not traded before Friday, the Jets will have to determine how his status affects the roster, the crease and the room heading into a nationally prominent outdoor game.
Forward Cole Perfetti said the team wants players who are committed to its objectives.
He also left open the possibility that Hellebuyck could be welcomed back if he demonstrates that he wants to be part of the group.
For now, the Jets are preparing to continue without him while waiting for a decision that could reshape the club’s season before the end of the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
When could Connor Hellebuyck return to the Winnipeg Jets?
His suspension is reportedly scheduled to end Friday, October 23, 2026, but the Jets have not publicly confirmed the date.
Why was Connor Hellebuyck suspended?
He was suspended after failing to report for the Winnipeg Jets’ training camp in September.
Has Connor Hellebuyck been traded?
No trade has been officially announced. Winnipeg continues to work through his request for a change.
Who has played goal for the Jets while Hellebuyck is suspended?
Stuart Skinner and Clay Stevenson have shared goaltending duties during the opening part of the 2026-27 season.
What are the Jets’ options if Hellebuyck returns?
Winnipeg could trade him, put him back on the roster, keep him away from the team while paying him or use a conditioning assignment before making a longer-term decision.
Fact-Checked: Key facts were checked against Winnipeg Jets and NHL information, including the team’s statements, Hellebuyck’s suspension and the latest reported timeline for its end. ([nhl.com](https://www.nhl.com/news/winnipeg-jets-waiting-to-see-what-happens-with-goalie-connor-hellebuyck?utm_source=openai))
Disclaimer: The reported October 23 suspension end date had not been publicly confirmed by the Winnipeg Jets at publication time.