Does Connor Hellebuyck move on from the Jets this summer?

After a disappointing season for the Winnipeg Jets, star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck certainly wasn’t quick to confirm he wanted to stick around. After all, the goaltender just wrapped up his 11th season in the NHL, and the Jets are as far as they’ve ever been from a Stanley Cup. If the 33 year old wants to win one, he’s only got a few prime years left in him to do it.

So should Hellebuyck look to join a new team for a chance at a Cup win? Matt Larkin breaks down why Hellebuyck may still give the Winnipeg Jets another chance on Daily Faceoff.

Matt Larkin: I think if you asked me a month ago, I would have said it’s only a 70% chance he’s going to be a Jet. But I’ve had time to calm down.

I’m going to say it’s 95%. I know it’s a boring answer, but if you zoom out, the Jets still have Mark Scheifele, Josh Morrissey, Kyle Connor. They have so many core players extended. This window is not closed. They still have to keep it going and find out if they’re going to finally get over the top with this group. And Hellebuyck’s got 5 years left.

Also, as a person, Hellebuyck is a man of simple taste. He loves his outdoors, his fishing. He’s from Michigan. I don’t think Winnipeg as a market is that far off what his ideal is as an NHL player. I don’t think he’s necessarily someone that wants the bright lights of a different kind of market. I think it’s a good fit for him, and he has been, for the most part, very happy there.

I think, if we look a year from now, if the Jets flame out again, and especially if Kevin Cheveldayoff, is finally pushed out, that would be a time. If there’s a regime change, and we see a signal that the Jets really need to go backward in a meaningful way to go forward, then you revisit it.

But I think this year you have to give the can another kick, especially because the Jets knocked on the door of the playoffs. They got close. How many points behind the Vegas Golden Knights were they? If you actually look at their point total— I know different division – but just to put the context that the Jets were close to qualifying. So I think they give the can another kick and Hellebuyck stays.

Tyler Yaremchuk: Yeah, they were only eight points back of the L.A. Kings for the last spot in the Western Conference playoffs.

You can watch the full episode here…