McIntyre suspected that Hellebucyk had emerged from a \u201cfiery\u201d face-to-face meeting with the coaching staff and management to face the press. The reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner called his club\u2019s performance this season \u201cunacceptable,\u201d wondering where the club would go from here, prompting McIntyre to suggest that the answer might involve moving on from their long-time starting goaltender.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Hellebuyck-214x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).<\/p>\n
When asked by McIntyre if his candid comments might mean some difficult conversations with management about his future, Hellebuyck took several seconds to respond. The 32-year-old goalie said he didn\u2019t want to leave any speculation, adding that he loves Winnipeg and loves playing there.<\/p>\n
McIntyre noted that speculation about Hellebuyck\u2019s future began after he backstopped Team USA to Olympic gold in February, drawing some criticism for celebrating at the White House when there are tensions between the United States and Canada.<\/p>\n
Hellebuyck has five more years on his contract at a reasonable average annual value of $8.5 million. McIntyre believes plenty of teams would engage in a bidding war for his services if he became available in the trade market. Moving Hellebuyck would be a \u201cseismic shift\u201d in the club\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n
SPECTOR\u2019S NOTE: McIntyre acknowledged that Hellebuyck\u2019s comments may have been a case of the superstar goaltender blowing off steam following a disappointing season.<\/p>\n
It must be remembered that there was speculation over Mark Scheifele\u2019s future in Winnipeg in 2022 after he expressed unhappiness over the Jets\u2019 performance. He and Hellebuyck wound up signing long-term contract extensions.<\/p>\n
General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff will likely downplay the notion that Hellebuyck\u2019s unhappiness might lead to his departure when he meets with the media next week. Nevertheless, it will put pressure on Cheveldayoff to address the issues that led to the club\u2019s downfall a year after winning the Presidents\u2019 Trophy.<\/p>\n
TSN:<\/a> On Thursday, Darren Dreger said he expected this offseason to be a busy one for Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff.<\/p>\n He\u2019ll have to sort out whether Jonathan Toews<\/a> might do with his playing future and whether it\u2019ll be in Winnipeg. Winger Cole Perfetti is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights coming off a two-year deal with an AAV of $3.25 million.<\/p>\n Dreger believes the Jets would like to add a second-line center and a top-six winger.<\/p>\n SPECTOR\u2019S NOTE: One of those would be in any asking price for Hellebuyck, but I don\u2019t expect Cheveldayoff to have any intention of moving his star goaltender unless he asks to be traded. That\u2019s something else I don\u2019t believe Hellebuyck wants, despite his frustration with how this season turned out.<\/p>\n THE ATHLETIC<\/a>: Jeremy Rutherford wondered if the St. Louis Blues<\/a> intend to trade Robert Thomas<\/a>. The 26-year-old first-line center surfaced in the rumor mill before last month\u2019s trade deadline, but his strong performance after returning from injury is more evidence that leads to keeping him.<\/p>\n Rutherford believes the Blues must find a trade fit for winger Jordan Kyrou<\/a>, whose performance declined this season. He thinks a change of scenery might be good for both sides, but his $8.13 million AAV over the next five seasons could be difficult to move. He also has a full no-trade clause.<\/p>\n Management should also explore moving winger Pavel Buchnevich<\/a>, who has six years left on his contract with an AAV of $8 million. However, his contract and declining production could require adding a sweetener in the deal.<\/p>\n The Blues should also revisit efforts to move Colton Parayko<\/a>, who used his no-movement clause to block a trade to the Buffalo Sabres<\/a> before the March deadline. They should also chat with goaltender Jordan Binnington<\/a>, who has a year left on his contract.<\/p>\n SPECTOR\u2019S NOTE: Unless the Blues intend to tear down their roster and rebuild, it\u2019s doubtful they\u2019ll part with Thomas. Outgoing general manager Doug Armstrong set a high asking price, and it\u2019s unlikely that incoming GM Alexander Steen will lower it.<\/p>\n Kyrou and Buchnevich are more likely trade candidates. The 27-year-old Kyrou would likely be easier to move than the 31-year-old Buchnevich, as the latter\u2019s production has steadily declined since his career-high 76-point performance in 2021-22.<\/p>\n Steen could revisit Armstrong\u2019s efforts to move Parayko, but his NMC gives him full control over his situation. Binnington seems a more likely trade candidate because several teams that struggled with their goaltending this season will be seeking upgrades this summer.<\/p>\n THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH<\/a>: Brian Hedger looked at what\u2019s in store for Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell during the offseason.<\/p>\n Forwards Boone Jenner, Charlie Coyle<\/a>, and Mason Marchment<\/a>, and defenseman Erik Gudbranson<\/a> can become unrestricted free agents on July 1. It\u2019s unlikely all four will be re-signed. Meanwhile, center Adam Fantilli<\/a>, goaltender Jet Greaves<\/a>, and forward Cole Sillinger<\/a> are among their restricted free agent.<\/p>\n SPECTOR\u2019S NOTE: Jenner has spent his entire 13-season NHL career with the Blue Jackets, but Hedger wondered if they\u2019ll re-sign the 32-year-old forward. Fantilli and Greaves will be in line for expensive raises given their value to the Blue Jackets.<\/p>\n The rising salary cap will leave the vast majority of NHL teams, including the Blue Jackets, flush with salary-cap space,. Hedger believes it\u2019ll be difficult to find impact talent in this summer\u2019s UFA market.<\/p>\n SPECTOR\u2019S NOTE: Newly re-signed head coach Rick Bowness vowed he would change the Blue Jackets\u2019 culture after blasting his players for what he felt was how comfortable they were with losing.<\/p>\n Finding character players who can also address the Jackets\u2019 roster needs could be top of mind for Waddell this summer. This summer\u2019s shallow free-agent pool could send him into the trade market, where he could indeed find himself having to outbid many rivals with as much cap space as he has.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Check out the latest on the Jets, Blues, and Blue Jackets in today\u2019s NHL Rumor Mill. 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