As the doors of training camp opened, everyone was hoping for the familiar sound of skates on fresh ice and bags of equipment thudding onto the bench in the locker room. But rather, the Winnipeg Jets got fans surprised with a big plot twist before the opening whistle. Of course, star goalie Connor Hellebuyck was absent, as was his beloved running mate, the former New York athlete. The beloved running back of the former New York player wasn’t around either, and neither was star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. His absence was not long in being known, and the team promptly announced his formal suspension for failure to report. It’s the kind of drama that makes every morning before a preseason game a sports headline marathon.
This holdout did not exactly drop out of thin air, though. Hellebuyck had been making the news in the hockey world for weeks before, when he first made his trade case public. The top goaltender in the city’s history, who won a number of Vezina Trophies and a Hart Trophy during his 15-year tenure in Winnipeg, felt the need for a change. He said that for months he had tried to deal with it behind closed doors in order to give management breathing space, but when camp came and went, there was no deal, so he wouldn’t leave home and force the issue.
From the franchise’s perspective, suspending a star player is standard procedure when someone refuses to show up, but it still packs a heavy emotional punch. General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff made it plain and simple to the press: a contract is a contract in the NHL, and the rules apply to everyone. While management insists that no bridges are completely burnt, holding out creates an uncomfortable standoff. It leaves the front office trying to negotiate a fair trade without giving up all their leverage, all while the regular season clocks closer.
For the fans and the rest of the roster, this situation feels like a strange heartbreak mixed with pure distraction. Now it’s the turn of teammates to become fit again and respond to a barrage of questions regarding their missing leader. Meanwhile, both supporters and opponents have mixed feelings about what Hellebuyck has done for the city and that he has decided to stay away. It’s hard to see a top-tier goaltender on the sidelines when he typically plays a night’s game with a big shot at the goal.
From that point on, it’s anyone’s guess, but the pressure is definitely increased. Winnipeg is in a difficult situation, as potential trade partners know it, but it’s not a simple equation for rival teams to choose an $8.5 million annual salary over an elite goalie. If Hellebuyck finds himself in a new sweater soon, or if this cold war stretches into the regular season, there is one thing for sure: Training camp in Winnipeg has become the biggest storyline in the league. Season tickets are on sale, the Stanley Cup is on sale, and popcorn is on sale: this hockey saga is far from over.
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