As members of the Winnipeg Jets cleared out their lockers following a disappointing season in which the team missed the playoffs for the second time in the last nine years, Connor Hellebuyck was as honest as he’s been all season.
The Jets goaltender didn’t hold back, heavily suggesting change from the organization and describing the season they just had as unacceptable.
“To take the step back that we did this year, it felt very wrong,” said Hellebuyck on Friday. “From the President’s Trophy to this just felt like that should never happen – and it did, and I’m part of it.”
The reigning Vezina Trophy winner posted the worst save percentage of his career at .895 – the first time he’s fallen below .900. In 57 games played, he had just 23 wins, although it’s important to note he missed time early in the season after undergoing a knee procedure and had to work his way back to form.
The 33-year-old signed a contract extension in October 2023, locking him up through the end of the 2030-31 season – that’s five more years as one of the centrepieces of the Jets organization. When asked whether this season changes his outlook on his own future as a Jet, Hellebuyck paused for seven long seconds before answering.
“You know, I don’t want to go and leave any speculation,” said Hellebuyck. “I love this city and I love playing here, and the fans have given me so much, and I’ve given so much back to the fans, and there’s a real connection there. I wish more people around the league would see that and could see that.”
“I’m not going to go and tell you that right now I feel amazing about winning a Cup tomorrow – no team out of the playoffs is going to say that. No player out of the playoffs is going to say that,” he added. “You make your decisions and you live by them, and as time goes by you try to re-evaluate. Honestly, as an athlete, the only thing you can do is put your best foot forward.”
He didn’t outright say he doesn’t want to be a Jet in the future, but he also didn’t say he wants to be part of the organization no matter what. He did reiterate his goal of winning a Stanley Cup, highlighting that as his biggest motivator after reaching incredible heights outside the NHL this season, winning Olympic gold with Team USA.
“For me, it’s winning a Stanley Cup – that’s my goal, and that’s all I have left, and that’s what I want on my resumé,” said Hellebuyck. “I don’t play this game for the money, I don’t play it for the fame. I do it for my own personal fun and, you know, part of that is winning a Cup. So for me, I’m just looking at how can I get that? How can I get there?”
The Jets took a step back in almost every – if not all – defensive categories, including shots allowed, goals allowed and rush chances allowed. Not only did they struggle defensively at times, there were also issues finding depth scoring for most of the season.
“From my perspective, I would like to see – I mean, complacency is just not going to get us moving forward, so something’s got to happen,” said Hellebuyck. “I’m not going to sit here and throw every guy under the bus because, honestly, I’m a goalie and I know goaltending really well.”
Both head coach Scott Arniel and general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff are expected to speak with the media on Monday.
