Hellebuyck has caused controversy for both the Jets and the hockey world after he formally requested a trade this offseason.
The three-time Vezina Trophy winner is entering the third season of his seven-year, $59.5 million contract with the Jets that he originally signed in 2023.
Hellebuyck put up career numbers during the 2024-2025 season, leading the league with a 2.00 goals against average, eight shutouts, and 47 wins. But he had a down year this past season, posting a career-worst .895 save percentage and a 2.86 GAA, the highest since the 2020-2021 season (2.97).
The 32-year-old's highlight from this past season was when he led Team USA to their first Winter Olympics gold medal since the iconic 'Miracle on Ice' game at Lake Placid in 1980.
In five games during the Olympics earlier this year, Hellebuyck led all goaltenders in both save percentage (.956) and GAA (1.18). He capped off his historic Olympic performance with 41 saves on 42 shots in the USA's 2-1 win over Canada for the gold.
However, with five years left on his contract with the Jets, Hellebuyck and his camp are receiving shots from all angles. ESPN's Michael Wilbon said that he would, "Call him and his agent and say, ‘We signed you to this deal. You want a trade? Go to hell.’”
Hellebuyck has spent his entire 11-year career with the Jets as he heads into his 12th with the historic franchise. During his time there, he has led the team to a 345-208-55 record, leading them to their first-ever Presidents Cup after going 56–22–4 during the 2024-2025 season.
Since Hellebuyck took over the starting goalie role in 2016, the Jets have made the Stanley Cup Playoffs in seven of the 10 years leading up to this season. The furthest they got was the 2018 Conference Finals, when they lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in five games.
Hellebuyck put out a statement back in August stating: "I believe moving on is the best path forward for me and my family."
Winnipeg's season starts on October 2nd when they open up at home against the Boston Bruins.
Should Hellebuyck continue to hold out, whether they trade him or not, the Jets will look to Stuart Skinner and Thomas Milic to fill in the role.