Bilder des Tages - SPORT April 15, 2018 - Minneapolis, MN, USA - Minnesota Wild s Marcus Foligno (17) celebrates after shooting the puck past Winnipeg Jets s Connor Hellebuyck (37) for a goal in the second period on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at Xcel Energy Center in Minneapolis, Minn. Winnipeg Jets vs. Minnesota Wild - ZUMAm67_ 20180415_zaf_m67_050 Copyright: xCarlosxGonzalezx
Bilder des Tages - SPORT April 15, 2018 - Minneapolis, MN, USA - Minnesota Wild s Marcus Foligno (17) celebrates after shooting the puck past Winnipeg Jets s Connor Hellebuyck (37) for a goal in the second period on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at Xcel Energy Center in Minneapolis, Minn. Winnipeg Jets vs. Minnesota Wild - ZUMAm67_ 20180415_zaf_m67_050 Copyright: xCarlosxGonzalezx
Connor Hellebuyck's future with the Winnipeg Jets looks shaky as he heads into the 2026-27 season.
Winnipeg Free Press writer Mike McIntyre broke down the situation around the topic this month. On July 1, the Jets let their backup goaltender, Eric Comrie, leave in free agency.
On the same day, Winnipeg signed goaltender Stuart Skinner to a two-year, $3.75 million deal. The move only fueled the speculation that Skinner is an insurance policy in case Hellebuyck departs.
McIntyre says, as per a post on X, “The writing is on the wall here in Winnipeg. Connor Hellebuyck is (almost certainly) moving on. That became apparent on July 1 when the Jets did not re-sign his personal security blanket, Eric Comrie.”
December 1, 2024, Dallas, Texas, United States: Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck 37 saves a shot by Dallas Stars during the match of National Hockey League regular season at American Airlines Center. Final Score Dallas Stars 3-1 Winnipeg Jets. on December 1, 2024 in Dallas, Texas, United States. Dallas United States - ZUMAe321 20241201_zsa_e321_046 Copyright: xJavierxVicenciox/xEyepixxGroupx
December 1, 2024, Dallas, Texas, United States: Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck 37 saves a shot by Dallas Stars during the match of National Hockey League regular season at American Airlines Center. Final Score Dallas Stars 3-1 Winnipeg Jets. on December 1, 2024 in Dallas, Texas, United States. Dallas United States - ZUMAe321 20241201_zsa_e321_046 Copyright: xJavierxVicenciox/xEyepixxGroupx
Just a year ago, Hellebuyck won both the Hart and Vezina Trophies. The Jets also claimed the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's top regular-season team.
This year, both the player and the team dropped hard. Winnipeg missed the playoffs entirely, finishing 35-35-12 with 82 points. Hellebuyck is also going through a down year with a 23-23-11 record, a .895 save percentage and a 2.86 goals-against average across 57 games.
He still carries an $8.5 million cap hit, which runs till the 2030-31 season. Jets general manager Cheveldayoff confirmed the team is listening: "It's going to depend on how bad a team wants something."
The New Jersey Devils have emerged as one possible landing spot. New Devils GM Sunny Mehta is facing issues around the goaltending situation. Hellebuyck's name keeps surfacing as a trade option.
The Skinner signing, the backup's exit, and Hellebuyck's rough year don’t make the situation any better.
Comrie’s Landing in San Jose
Comrie signed a two-year, $2.3 million contract with the San Jose Sharks on July 1. The deal holds a value of $1.15 million annually.
According to an article from Markerzone, he spent parts of ten seasons with Winnipeg across two separate stints. He also made a brief run in Detroit, New Jersey, and Buffalo. Last season, he went 12-11-1 in the 25 games he played while backing up Hellebuyck.
In his full NHL career, Comrie has played in 102 games. He holds a 3.11 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage. In 214 games in the AHL, he posted a 2.81 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage.
San Jose, though, won't put him in the main lineup right away. Yaroslav Askarov is set as the starter, and Alex Nedeljkovic remains under contract as well.
Even so, the move can be a fresh start for Comrie after he spent years behind one of the league's best goaltenders.
Read more at NHL Fan Central!
Written by
Aadhya Nalla
Edited by
Ashvinkumar Patil