- Oct 16, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will be eligible to return Friday after serving a suspension for failing to report to training camp during an ongoing trade request.
The three-time Vezina Trophy winner and 2025 Hart Trophy winner has not joined the club, which has turned to free-agent signing Skinner and waiver claim Stevenson in net. The Jets have posted a 4-2-2 record and sit fourth in the Central Division with a .901 team save percentage, ranking 11th in the NHL.
Sportsnet's Friedman reported Hellebuyck could either rejoin the team and play while awaiting a trade, or the Jets could pay him to remain away from the club.
Multiple former goaltenders have expressed skepticism about a smooth reunion. Woodley of InGoal Magazine said he does not foresee Hellebuyck returning, pointing to the challenge of joining a team three weeks into the season without training camp and citing Jeremy Swayman's missed camp as the only comparable career interruption. Former NHL goaltender Dubnyk called the situation lose-lose, stating, "no way you can go in the room and not have it be weird." Hutton, another former NHL goaltender, questioned how Hellebuyck could show his face in the locker room again.
Source: Daily Faceoff - Mon Oct 19, 12:00 PM ET
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).