Connor Hellebuyck Publicly Presses for Jets Trade as Camp Opens With No Deal

Q: Who will anchor Vancouver's crease if Thatcher Demko's hip surgery recovery derails his start to the 2026 season?

Kevin Lankinen is the likeliest answer if Thatcher Demko’s hip recovery delays his start to the 2026-27 season. That is the clearest expectation in the reporting around Vancouver’s camp. Multiple updates say Demko still has no firm return timeline after January hip surgery, and that if he is not ready for opening night, Lankinen would “get another crack” as the Canucks’ No. 1 goaltender. Vancouver has also signaled it is preparing for that possibility rather than rushing Demko back. Behind Lankinen, the Canucks appear to be building insurance. Nikita Tolopilo is a serious internal option and could make the roster, especially because of waiver considerations and the club’s openness to carrying three goalies. Team and local reporting suggest Vancouver may start the year with an expanded crease if Demko is unavailable or needs careful workload management. The club has also added veteran depth by signing Chris Driedger to a professional tryout. That does not make him the favorite to anchor the net, but it shows Vancouver wants another experienced option in camp in case Demko’s absence stretches on or the organization decides it needs more support behind Lankinen. So, if Demko’s recovery derails his start, Vancouver’s crease would most likely be anchored by Lankinen, with Tolopilo and possibly Driedger competing to back him up or share the load.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 15

Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request has moved into the open just as NHL training camps begin, putting Winnipeg’s immediate plans and longer-term competitiveness under fresh scrutiny.
Winnipeg spent the summer trying to move the star goaltender but failed to find an offer that satisfied GM Kevin Cheveldayoff, leaving the standoff unresolved entering camp.
A holdout is now a live possibility, with the key questions shifting from whether Hellebuyck wants out to when a trade happens and how disruptive the wait becomes.
For the Jets, the saga extends beyond one player: whenever Hellebuyck is dealt—whether in weeks or months—the club must figure out how to remain competitive without him.