NHL Star Connor Hellebuyck Confirms Trade Request from Jets

Three-time Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender Connor Hellebuyck publicly confirmed Thursday that he has requested a trade from the Winnipeg Jets, the only NHL organization he has played for in his 11-season career. In a statement released by his agent Ray Petkau, Hellebuyck said he privately made the request several months ago but decided to go public with training camp set to open Sept. 16. “My position has not changed, and I believe moving on is the best path forward for me and my family,” Hellebuyck said. Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff acknowledged he has been working to trade the player but offered no update. Hellebuyck, 33, is entering the third year of a seven-year, $59.5 million contract with an $8.5 million cap hit and a full no-movement clause. He backstopped the U.S. to Olympic gold in February but posted a career-worst .895 save percentage last season as Winnipeg missed the playoffs. Trade rumors swirled around the draft in June, but no deal materialized. The Jets signed goaltender Stuart Skinner in free agency on July 1. No trade is imminent.