FA signing. Florida didn’t want him at his price. Apparently we did.
So season started. I checked in to see whatever ended up happening with Connor Hellybuyck.
Nothing. He is still on his couch just like I am. Suspended after not reporting to camp, demanding a trade. Kind of a diva, right?
Can’t say if a diva. But he is good and wants out and is forfeiting some decent coin by sitting out.
I was going to offer an Edmonton comment about their lack of defense and/or goalie compete level, and now see folks are floating trade rumors to get Hellybuck there. Were he to show up there and make a correction to their current GA avg, diva status would melt away.
Wrong thread? Stroke? Menopause brain to go with the frozen shoulder?
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Yep, sorry. Multi tasking and apparently not very well.
He would have had a statue here in Winnipeg if he stuck around. Now? Pretty much hated. Crazy how fast the fans have turned against him.
Edmonton has long offered contracts to questionable characters; Craig McTavish did time for killing someone while drunk driving. In Edmonton, all that matters is the Cup, but at the same time, ownership makes plenty of decisions not based on winning.
SJS needs a deeper blueline and reliable goaltending. Their forward corps are just about ready to terrorize the league.
I’m morbidly fascinated by Detroit’s implosion: Edvinsson has asked for a trade, fans are wearing Osama Bin Larkin shirts, and fans are chanting Sell The Team. Not a great spot for a team with the longest playoff drought in the NHL.
Is a shame. Part of the charm of the Winnipeg team is most of the guys seems to embrace playing and being part of that community, and building a winner together. That may seem like morale mumbo jumbo, but they play fun hockey. And I have been interested in Hellybucyk because while there is more to it, he realy hasn’t translated his stellar play into carrying them through the playoffs. His biggest win was the Olympic tournament. And now he isn’t happy with his contract and he wants out.
I am less, not more of a fan.
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He has 5 years remaining on his contract. Maybe he should be upset with himself for signing such a long term deal.
Getting a new city to play in won’t change the contract.
Yes Chevy has done a good job of getting players to sign decent contracts to stay in Winnipeg. Hellybuyck was a guy who seemed to like it here; he likes the outdoors/fishing and we have a tonne of that very close to the city.
Something changed after the Olympics. Despite saying he was hoping to use the momentum from winning gold his season ending comments seemed to indicate he already wanted out.
We missed the playoffs the year after winning the Presidents trophy the previous year. Lots of guys had a down year including Helly. Yet he basically threw the team under the bus saying they weren’t good enough to win.
And you are right, his tremendous regular season play has not translated into much playoff success; we’ve basically had 1 deep playoff run during his tenure here.
Our backup waiver wire goalie just won tonight. It is his 6th NHL game. Maybe we will forget quickly about Helly!! 
It’s official now. Book your tickets now. He has said that this is his last season. Let the farewell tour commence.
Cathy, if I read the schedule correctly, your Preds on 29 Oct would be the first city to send him off on his farewell/ honors tour. With the 2 game expansion to the season I am assuming that the east west matchups remain at one visit each.
Continuing the Ovie final roadshow PSA:
Caniacs 13 Oct, Tampa 17 Nov, St Louis 28 Nov, Edmonton 3 Dec, Calgary 5 Dec, Vancouver 7 Dec, Seattle 10 Dec, Denver 12 Dec, Dallas 15 Dec, LA Kings 6 Jan, Ducks 8 Jan, SJS 10 Jan, Utah 29 Jan, Vegas 30 Jan, Islanders 1 Mar, Winnipeg 5 Mar, Minneapolis 7 mar, Chicago 10 mar, Penguins 13 Mar, Buffalo 18 Mar, NYC 21 Mar, Detroit 24 Mar, Toronto 28 mar, Ottawa 8 apr