It is still a work in progress for Kevin Cheveldayoff on the Connor Hellebuyck front as the Winnipeg Jets’ regular season is set to get underway. In a sit-down interview with TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Jets’ general manager said there is currently no timeline for when a trade for the Vezina-winning goaltender could happen. “When I was first made aware of the situation, the conversation that Connor’s representation and myself had were very clear and explicit that this could take a while. What a while means, I guess, is still undefined,” said Cheveldayoff. Hellebuyck was suspended by the Jets at the beginning of training camp for failing to report to the team. Cheveldayoff has previously shared that Hellebuyck requested a trade at the beginning of the offseason and at first Hellebuyck had wanted to keep it private before he publicly announced the desire for a fresh start elsewhere in August. Questions have swirled about what the Jets could get in return for Hellebuyck, whether it is a package that includes an impact player for the present or assets for the future or a bit of both. “What it’ll ultimately be, that’ll be a decision that’ll be made when something presents itself.” Cheveldayoff was also asked about the team’s current goalie tandem of Stuart Skinner—who was signed in the offseason to a two-year deal worth $3.75 million a season—and recent waiver wire claim Clay Stevenson. He said the team is excited about the players they have between the pipes and they are interested to see how the duo works out throughout the season. “Nervousness a couple days ago there, not knowing if we’d get Clay, so certainly excited that the waiver claim was successful there. Again, I think Stu is someone that we’ve talked about before, that there’s been a level of, I guess, interest and excitement on both sides—both on the side of Wade Flaherty, who kind of runs the goaltending department for us and the desire to want to work with Stu.” He notes Stevenson and Skinner had a relationship before being members of the Jets, which increased the excitement for all parties. The Jets are trying to rebound after missing the playoffs last season, a year after claiming the President’s Trophy as the top team in the NHL. Cheveldayoff said last season was humbling when they were unable to reach the goal they set for themselves. Going into this year, whether it’s players who have been around for a while or those who are part of the organization for the first time, they all have something to prove. “One thing that hasn’t changed is for us to be successful, we’re going to have to play a certain way. You can talk about individuals, you can talk about different things like that, but the collective team game that the Winnipeg Jets have to play has to be our identity, and that’s one of taking care of our end and letting the rest take care of itself.” The Jets’ season starts on Friday at home against the Boston Bruins with puck drop at 7 p.m.
