Connor Hellebuyck, the Jets, Kevin Cheveldayoff and Scott Arniel are all inching toward a decision point in Winnipeg, according to David Pagnotta.
Pagnotta said there were "whispers coming into the weekend" that Hellebuyck is debating with his inner circle "when is the most appropriate time, should he go back."
The why is easy to see. Every day away costs him money, with one tracker estimating $38,660 in lost salary per day.
The deal he expected never came. He thought something would get done before or during camp, and the Jets held firm on their high asking price.
The family side matters too. Pagnotta said the missing paycheques and questions at home "start to mount," and that kind of pressure only grows with time.
The crease has also cooled. Clay Stevenson took the loss in a 5-1 defeat to Anaheim on Friday and now sits at .872, while Stuart Skinner remains at .920.
Carolina's visit could be the perfect window for Hellebuyck's return
So when could it happen? The Jets host Minnesota on Tuesday, visit Chicago on Thursday, then host Carolina on Saturday.
That Carolina game stands out. The Hurricanes are among the frontrunners for a trade, and a strong return in front of them would boost his value instantly.
He would likely need a few practices first after skipping camp and the opening stretch. That makes this weekend the most realistic window.
Later in the month, Winnipeg hosts Florida on Oct. 27 and visits the Panthers on Oct. 30. Florida was his original target, which would make those games awkward either way.
He should come back this week. Returning before the Carolina game gives him a stage, gives the Jets a starter, and stops his salary from draining away by the day.
Every day he waits is like leaving a tap running in an empty house. The bill keeps climbing whether anyone is home or not.
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The room is the wild card. Pagnotta said some teammates might not welcome him back with open arms, and Arniel would have to manage that carefully.
Hellebuyck holds the timing now. The longer he waits, the more it costs him, both in his bank account and in that locker room.
Should Connor Hellebuyck return to the Jets before Saturday's game against Carolina?
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