A fast start could give the Winnipeg Jets a very different kind of leverage in the Connor Hellebuyck standoff.
Hellebuyck remains away from the team and is suspended indefinitely after not reporting to Jets training camp. The former Hart Trophy winner and three-time Vezina Trophy winner asked for a trade after the 2025-26 season, then made that request public late in the offseason after Winnipeg couldn’t work out a deal.
On Friday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and former NHL goaltender were joined by The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta to dig into how the situation might shift if the Jets open the season strong without their franchise goalie.
Yaremchuk floated the idea of Winnipeg rolling early, pointing to a possible tandem of Stuart Skinner and Clay Stevenson, both under 30. In his view, if the Jets got out to something like a 5-2-1 start, the club might decide it can move on, collect futures, and use those assets later at the Trade Deadline.
Pagnotta said that kind of early success would absolutely change the picture, but not necessarily in the simplest way. He compared Winnipeg’s stance to the approach Don Waddell took with Kirill Marchenko and the Columbus Blue Jackets before Marchenko was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The message there was clear: “We’re not trading him for futures. We need somebody now.”
Pagnotta said Winnipeg’s asking price has followed a similar line. The Jets would take futures, but the main pieces they want back are players who can help right away. He said that could mean two forwards, or a forward and a defenseman, along with whatever else is attached.
A hot start, Pagnotta added, would open up the possibilities significantly. Winnipeg would still want to improve the roster and give itself the best chance to keep winning, but if the team comes out strong in the first five to 10 games, it could create room to collect future assets and then package them in different ways later.
That all depends, of course, on Hellebuyck not being dealt in that window. For now, Winnipeg has stayed firm and is waiting.
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Jets Face Early Test As New Look Meets Surging Penguins
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One notable wrinkle for Winnipeg is the goaltending picture, with Clay Stevenson slated to make his first appearance for the club. Up front, the Jets are also weighing some lineup tweaks after the Detroit game, including Cole Koepke in line to replace Nino Niederreiter, while Vlad Namestnikov appears set to hold onto his spot despite taking two penalties last time out. [Read more 🡒]