‘A lot of guys in that room that are heartbroken’

Hockey is the ultimate team sport, where it’s supposed to be about the crest on your chest rather than the name on your back.

So how is Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request and subsequent training camp strike playing out inside the Winnipeg Jets locker room — particularly among other core players he’s gone to battle with over the years?

“Obviously the news is heartbreaking,” Jets forward Kyle Connor said Thursday.

“It feels like we had such a special group here and for whatever reason — I can’t speak to the reason until we hear from the man, I’m not going to speculate on what it is but I know that a lot of guys in that room that are heartbroken.”

Connor and Hellebuyck have plenty in common. Both are Michigan natives who were teammates on the United States 4 Nations Face-Off and Olympic teams. They’ve also both inked long-term extensions with the Jets.

But that’s apparently where the similarities end.

“No second thoughts. Obviously, Helly was a big part of it and part of the reason why I chose to stay here, but it’s not the only reason,” said Connor, who is in the second year of an eight-year deal paying him US$12 million per season.

“I believe in that group and this management, and the city. The group we assembled and just the support that we get here, it really means a lot to me to try to battle with this group. When I was thinking about the decision and ultimately decided to sign here, I couldn’t picture myself trying to battle for a Stanley Cup for a city or another group of guys.”

That’s apparently not the case for Hellebuyck. Is his hold-out sending a message that the Jets — as currently assembled — aren’t good enough to challenge for a championship?

“I’m not gonna speculate. Maybe once he has an answer for us, we can talk about it then,” said Connor.

“We’re a really good hockey team with the pieces that we have and the structure we built over the years. Taking a step back last year wasn’t ideal, but I think we’ve given ourselves a lot of chances and playoff runs, and the testament to this group over the years of the kind of character we have in that room. To just kind of say it’s broken after one year is kind of silly.”

Winger Gabe Vilardi, who signed a six-year US$45 million contract extension last summer, hasn’t wavered in his belief, either — nor would he be looking to follow Hellebuyck’s lead even if he had.

“My thought process is I made a commitment here and I’m here to ride it out for good or for bad,” he said.

“That’s not a diss on him or anybody else. That’s just my personal viewpoint towards life. Everybody has their own reasons to do what they want to do and what they think is best for them.”

Vilardi admitted he was surprised by Hellebuyck’s actions, “but I can’t do much about it. What am I going to do?”

Jets centre Mark Scheifele signed an identical seven-year, US$59.5 contract extension on the same day as Hellebuyck back in October 2023, with the pair committing long-term to the only NHL organization they’ve ever known.

Is he feeling a sense of betrayal?

“I’m just focused on myself, focused on the team, and I just want to get back to playing hockey and focusing on my task at hand and trying to be the best player that I can be,” said Scheifele.

“I want him to be my goaltender. He’s a fantastic goalie. He is the best goalie in the league and in the world. But at the end of the day, there’s a business side of things, and that’s not really my focus. My focus is what I can control and controlling what I do on the ice and in the gym and getting ready for the season.”

Scheifele insists he isn’t spending much time worrying how this is going to be resolved.

“I’m putting it in (management’s) hands. That’s what they do for a living, and my job is to be a hockey player,” he said. “I have a great relationship with (Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff), and trust in in this organization. I’m very blessed to be a part of the Winnipeg Jets organization and, like I said before, just excited to get the season going.”

The escalation of this situation wasn’t a surprise to Connor.

“There were signs throughout the whole summer and, obviously, it’s no secret I’m very close with him and spent a lot of time with him in Michigan,” he said.

“Just certain things and conversations we had throughout and certain things that changed in his life throughout the last hockey season and you could kind of see it.”

Connor was asked if Hellebuyck would be welcomed back with open arms should he have a change of heart and rescind his trade request.

“That’s a great question. I mean, come back as in to come back and just play or come back and recommit to this organization? I think that’s the biggest question,” said Connor.

“If he just comes back, that’s gonna be (a) pretty tough situation to walk into, to be honest. But for some reason, if he changed his mind and recommits here, obviously we’ll welcome him with open arms and we still love the guy. It’s just a very tough situation.”

Vilardi seemed a bit more forgiving.

“I’d say, ‘Hey, what’s up, Bucky? Welcome back.’ That’s it,” he said.

“I wouldn’t see any single guy having a problem with him coming back and if he goes somewhere else, good for him and I hope the best for him. He’s a great guy and I learned a lot from him in his approach to life and to the game of hockey.”

Connor said this unfortunate professional development won’t derail the personal relationship he has with Hellebuyck, regardless of how it ultimately plays out.

“No, it’s fine,” said Connor. “Listen, we were able to separate the business side out of it. Obviously, (I) wish I was playing with him through the rest of my career, (but) things are the way they are.”

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