Connor Hellebuyck sounds off on his future with the Jets.
The long time Winnipeg Jets goaltender makes comments that may come as a shock to fans of the franchise.
The Winnipeg Jets had their season come to a disappointing end on Thursday when they fell to the Las Vegas Golden Knights in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, doing so in just 5 games.
Many believe that the early exit for the Jets could mark the end of an era in Winnipeg, especially after fiery comments from Jets head coach Rick Bowness following the Jets' elimination in Game 5. In fact, Bowness' comments about his own players were so harsh that National Hockey League insider Elliotte Friedman was compelled to say that this current core of the Jets has in fact come to an end.
"If there was any question that it meant the end of this particular core, I think that eliminates it," said Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast. "I think that ends the question, if there was any doubt."
It's one thing to hear these kind of comments from an NHL insider, but it is another matter entirely when members of that very same core also start hinting at a future outside of Winnipeg.
On Saturday, Jets star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made comments that left a great many questions about his future as a member of the Winnipeg Jets. If the Jets are intending to move towards a rebuild, it sounds like Hellebuyck doesn't intend to be a part of that situation.
“I’m not interested in a rebuild. I just want to compete..." said Hellebuyck on Saturday.
Hellebuyck also added that he wants to win a Stanley Cup, and is cognizant of how much time he has left in his NHL career.
"My main goal is to win a Stanley Cup... I'm starting to run out of time," admitted Hellebuyck.
As per Murat Ates of The Athletic, Hellebuyck also confirmed that he has not had any discussions about an extension with the Jets as he is set to head into the final year of his current deal.
Hellebuyck had another strong performance in the regular season with a 2.49 goals against average and a .920 save percentage over 64 appearances for the Jets, and he would almost certainly be one of the most highly sought after commodities as either a free agent a year from now or as a potential trade candidate prior to then.
