New twist in Hellebuyck saga, suspension ends Friday

The latest twist in the Connor Hellebuyck saga has arrived.

A report from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet on Saturday afternoon explained that the Winnipeg Jets goalie informed the organization of his want to return on Oct. 2 and that his holdout has shifted to a team-imposed suspension which will officially end Friday.

Whether that means Hellebuyck is set to rejoin the team and actually suit up in games next week is anyone’s guess.

“I really don’t care right now on that scenario,” Jets head coach Scott Arniel said after a 3-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. “My focus is we’ve got St. Louis coming up. I’ve got to do some review against Carolina, there are some areas I want to fix. You know what, that part, that falls down on Chevy. I know there is stuff that happens. I’m going to face that one when it happens. I don’t know what next week is going to look like and at the end of the day for me, I’ve got 23 guys and all they care about is winning hockey games. My preparation, my thoughts are on that. I’m not worried about who is here and who is not here.”

Jets captain Adam Lowry didn’t want to speculate what the next week might bring, but conceded some frank discussions would be required before Hellebuyck returns to see any game action for the team that chose him in the fifth round of the 2012 NHL Draft.

“Do I love the decision, do I love the way it’s dragged on? No. But we’ll handle the situation when it comes,” said Lowry. “Obviously we’re disappointed, he’s one of the best goalies in the world. But at the same time, it’s news but it’s unfair to speculate on what’s going to happen between now and Friday.

“I think if he does show up, there’s going to be conversations. There’s going to have to be one of those water under the bridge things. We keep moving forward. We’re a team, regardless of who’s in the room.”

The Jets’ ability to navigate a difficult situation has been evident in a 4-2-2 start and in some ways, the play of goalies Stuart Skinner and Clay Stevenson (who had 34 saves on Saturday in his third start of the season) has helped general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff stay patient.

But this situation appears to be coming to a head, given what could be on the horizon.

“We do a good job, we come here, we focus on the group we have here,” said Lowry. “Guys are excited to be here, guys are excited to play for the Jets. We come with a mindset that we want to get better every day, we want to win a Stanley Cup here. We want to improve. So we don’t really focus on the stuff that’s out of our control.

“Obviously it’s a big piece in our lineup missing – whether it’s assets or whether it’s the player himself. But this is what we have, this is what we have to make due (with). You have to put your best foot forward regardless of the situation you’re thrown in. I think we’ve done a really good job with that.”

The latest move by Hellebuyck – who first alerted the Jets of his want to be moved in April – would appear to be another example of him and his camp hoping the Jets will trade him to an American market in the near future.

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