Are the Winnipeg Jets Asking Too Much for Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele?
The Winnipeg Jets are starting their training camps and preseason games, and people are talking about two players in particular: Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck. They were in the news a lot during the offseason, especially Hellebuyck after Alex DeBrincat moved to Detroit. Both Scheifele and Hellebuyck are in the final year of their contracts, which has sparked a lot of discussion among fans and analysts.
This offseason, there wasn’t enough interest in Mark Scheifele and Connor Helleybuck.
Even though some sports clubs have shown interest in Winnipeg’s players Hellebuyck and Scheifele, no deals were made. Scheifele has expressed his desire to stay with the team long-term like his role model Steve Yzerman. Hellebuyck has also talked about signing a long-term contract during a press conference, but he wants to focus on winning the Stanley Cup for his team.
“I have an open mind,” Hellebuyck told the attending media. “I’m not closing the door to anyone. I’m going to look anywhere that I think can win a Cup. I know this locker room can win a Cup. That’s my main goal and my main focus.”
Later he added he loves the city and fans, but “That being said, I don’t want to come and say something to you guys, and then tomorrow it changes and it being something different. So, I’m just going to leave it as I’m going to win a Cup wherever I can win a Cup, and that’s where I’m going to be.”
Winnipeg Jets Window Closing To Trade Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele
One contributing factor to the lack of trades involving Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele of the Winnipeg Jets is the team’s limited communication with potential trade partners. This limitation is due to the Jets’ management, specifically General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, who has not embraced a rebuild and instead is attempting to retool on the fly. The team is seeking players who can contribute immediately rather than future assets, as evidenced by the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade that netted Gabriel Vilardi, Rasmus Kupari, and Alex Iafallo.
However, obtaining players of Hellebuyck and Scheifele’s caliber in exchange for three good assets is unappealing to contending teams, who prefer to offer futures for such players. Thus, a change in philosophy is needed at the top to attract more interest from teams in need of such players. However, certain players on the Jets reportedly do not want to embrace a rebuild, which has created difficulties for the general manager. As such, the situation is complex, and a combination of factors is likely contributing to the lack of trade offers. While it may prove challenging to finalize deals involving Hellebuyck and Scheifele by the trade deadline, it is not entirely impossible. Observers should keep an eye on the situation to see if extensions occur or if one or both players are ultimately traded.
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