What happened: Connor Hellebuyck's agent said Aug. 27 that the goaltender requested a trade months earlier and that his position remains unchanged. Winnipeg will also sort roster roles for Brayden Yager and Elias Salomonsson, while Brad Lambert enters the final year of his entry-level contract.
Why it matters: Stuart Skinner gives the Jets another option in net if Hellebuyck's situation carries into the 2026-27 season. Contract years for Nino Niederreiter, Vladislav Namestnikov, Morgan Barron and Haydn Fleury add further pressure to the roster decisions.
By the numbers: Hellebuyck went 23-23-11 with a 2.86 goals-against average and .895 save percentage in 2025-26. Salomonsson had five points in 32 NHL games; Yager recorded 30 points in 68 AHL games, while Barron posted a
What to watch: Training camp will clarify the competition for roster spots and whether the goaltending standoff advances before the season.