The Winnipeg Jets are going through a tough stretch as the regular season nears its end, and each game is adding more pressure on the group. After a strong 9-3-0 start to their season, things have completely flipped with a 21-27-12 run. This drop has kept them just outside the playoff picture.
Now, the focus inside the organization remains on how this core responds, putting the spotlight on Connor Hellebuyck and how the team views his future.
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Hellebuyck remains central to Winnipeg’s plans, and there is little indication that the team is considering a move involving its starting goaltender. He is in the second year of a 7-year, $59.5 million contract that pays him $8.5 million on average annually.
Furthermore, his deal includes a full no-movement clause through the 2026-27 season. So, that structure, along with his performance level, makes any trade unlikely unless he chooses to be part of that decision.
Speaking on “The Sheet,” insider David Pagnotta addressed the idea of the Jets making a major change involving their top players. He pointed to the organization’s mindset, explaining that ownership wants the team to stay competitive rather than step back.
Pagnotta said, “And within that market, you’ve got to be competitive. And I think that’s the message from Mark Chipman (Jets executive chairman) down, is we’ve got to be competitive, we’ve got to be a legitimate contender here, and we’ll take this blip on the radar, we’ll take this anomaly. It’s a one-off, but next season we better get our b**ts back in the postseason.”
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His comments show that the team still believes in its current group and expects them to drive results going forward. He added, “And we need the Hellebuycks, the Scheifeles, the Connors, the Morrisseys, and so on, to be the ones that are driving this ship.” That view keeps Hellebuyck firmly in place as a key part of the roster rather than a player available on the market.
The recent loss to the Colorado Avalanche offered a clear example of how the Jets are competing but not finishing games. Hellebuyck made 32 saves and kept them close, while Mark Scheifele scored twice and reached a career-high 88 points. Still, Colorado took control in the third period, with Nathan MacKinnon scoring two goals to secure the win.
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Winnipeg now sits 5 points behind a wild-card spot with a 30-30-12 record, which shows a noticeable drop from last season’s 116-point finish. Their offense has slowed, and they are allowing more goals than before, which has made their push more difficult late in the season. Even with those issues, the team continues to rely on its core players rather than looking outside for major changes.
For now, Winnipeg appears set to continue with its current group, with Hellebuyck remaining an important part of its plans. They will look to reduce the gap in the standings as the season moves forward.
