Hellebuyck Sparks Uncertainty Around Future in Winnipeg
With the Winnipeg Jets eliminated from the 2023 Stanley Cups Playoffs, the amount of decisions that need to be made with the team is enormous. Core veterans are aging out, with both Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele becoming unrestricted free agents at the end of next year. Prized goaltender Connor Hellebuyck also has just one year left on his deal. At 29 years of age, it's clear he's thinking hard about his future and whether it's in Winnipeg.
"I'm not interested in a rebuild," said Hellebuyck Saturday. I just want to compete. I enjoyed myself more in 5 (playoff) games than I did all year. It's like a high you gotta' chase. You can't replicate that anywhere else except in the playoffs."
"My main goal is to win a Stanley Cup. I'm starting to run out of time," he added.
"My main goal is to win a Stanley Cup. I'm starting to run out of time," he added.
He's certainly not wrong about the amount of time he has left, especially as a starting goaltender. If Hellebuyck truly won't accept a rebuild of some sort, I'm not sure remaining in Winnipeg will be in his cards. The team will have to do something by next year's deadline to ensure they don't lose players like Wheeler, Scheifele, and Hellebuyck for nothing. That will put them in a tough spot if the hope is to win now. It's likely to be an interesting offseason in Winnipeg.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 29 | 295 ANSWERS Hellebuyck Sparks Uncertainty Around Future in Winnipeg Will Hellebuyck still be in Winnipeg when the 2023-24 season starts? | ||
| Yes, I believe he will | 124 | 42 % |
| No, a deal will be made over the summer | 123 | 41.7 % |
| Not sure | 48 | 16.3 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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