Connor Hellebuyck has laid his cards out on the table. After the Jets were eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights in five games, and frankly embarrassed by their performance in an elimination game, the Jets’ starting goaltender seemed to hint that either the team build itself into a contender or he’s gone. When asked about the future he noted, “That’s hard to answer. It’s a lot to think about. We are only two days removed.”

With one year remaining on his current contract, there were already questions about what the Jets would do with Hellebuyck. Would they try to re-sign him? Would they trade him and ensure he doesn’t walk away as an unrestricted free agent next summer? Would they let the season play its course and then try to move him at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline?

The latter two options now seem the most likely.

NHL

Pierre- Luc Dubois not saying much about future with Jets

What Hellebuyck Said to Media

The former Vezina-winning netminder stated that he isn’t interested in a rebuild situation. Noting he had more fun in five playoff games than the entire season, he wants to play with a contender and his priority is to win a Stanley Cup. He feels he’s running out of time to do that and while he didn’t say specifically that he wanted out of Winnipeg, the hint seemed to be that if the Jets were planning on tearing it down — which there are rumors they might do to change the troubled culture in their locker room — he wouldn’t be part of that process.

Hellebuyck has one year left on his contract. If the Jets don’t trade him, he could simply choose to test free agency in a year and go where he’s got the best chance to win. According to Murat Ates of The Athletic, “He says he hasn’t spoken to the Jets about an extension, that he hasn’t thought about it, and he’ll listen to GM Kevin Cheveldayoff when they speak.” He said he just wants to win a Cup. “I don’t know what the future of this team looks like. I don’t know what their plans are. I don’t know if I’m in it.”

Where Could Hellebuyck Wind Up?

Any Stanley Cup contender should be calling the Jets and seeing what it would take to get them to talk about a Hellebuyck trade. He legitimately solves any questions a team might have in goal and turns a playoff team into a legitimate playoff contender. He turns a contender into a favorite.