The Winnipeg Jets are absolutely flying out of the gate with a 3-0-1 record to start the 2026-27 season. And get this: they are doing it all without their star goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck, who has been sidelined after requesting a trade way back in the summer. Seriously, how often does a team jump out like that when one of the league’s top netminders is nowhere to be found?
Hellebuyck’s Holdout Is Backfiring, Big Time
This whole situation for Hellebuyck? It is getting complicated fast. He privately asked for a trade last spring, then publicly reiterated that request right before training camp started. The Jets’ general manager, Kevin Cheveldayoff, was listening to offers, sure, but he did not get a deal he thought was good enough. So, Hellebuyck did not report to training camp, and the team suspended him, leaving them without their long-time starter as the regular season kicked off. You would think that would cripple a team, right? Especially when you remember Hellebuyck warming up before games, like that one against our own Seattle Kraken last April. But nope, the Jets have points in every single one of their first four games. That strong start makes Hellebuyck’s absence look a lot less damaging than anyone expected.
The Rise of Stuart Skinner and What It Means
One of the biggest reasons Winnipeg is crushing it right now without Hellebuyck is Stuart Skinner. This guy, a former Edmonton Oilers goaltender who led them to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals before moving to Pittsburgh last season, has found his stride in Winnipeg. Through his first three games with the Jets, Skinner is rocking a 2-0-1 record with a stellar .920 save percentage. He is stepped up big, and it is giving the Jets a ton of confidence that they can truly compete without their number one guy.
If Skinner keeps playing lights out like this and Winnipeg keeps winning, Hellebuyck’s trade situation is going to get increasingly difficult. Instead of showing the Jets how desperately they need him, his absence is actually proving they can win without him. This is going to seriously impact his trade value and how much other teams are willing to give up for a goalie who is currently holding out while his team thrives. What a mess for Hellebuyck, but what a start for the Jets.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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