Connor Hellebuyck powered Winnipeg to the Presidents’ Trophy with a Hart- and Vezina-winning season, posting 47-12-3, .925 SV% and 2.00 GAA. He carried the Jets deep into the playoffs, including two shutouts against Dallas, before a seven-game tilt with St. Louis underscored the climb ahead. Postseason numbers highlighted blemishes, but his big-picture focus remains on consistency and the crease foundation he’s built.

With Jonathan Toews adding veteran heft, Winnipeg eyes another Cup run. The offseason context includes Linus Ullmark in Ottawa and Dustin Wolf in Calgary, framing a league-wide backdrop as Hellebuyck and the Jets pursue continued elite play and a deeper playoff push.

NHL teams face a talent-versus-backlash dilemma as five acquitted players become eligible to sign. Carter Hart is viewed as the clearest on-ice asset likely to attract a strong starting role, while McLeod, Dubé, Foote, and Formenton must navigate reputational risk and varying resumes. The league and PA push for a return, but teams will weigh public reaction against potential production.

For fantasy ecosystems, Hart’s market value could surge on a contender with solid defense; others offer lower, more PR-sensitive upside. Formenton has slid to Europe; the others remain unproven at top-tier levels post-trial, making signing decisions a mix of talent, role certainty, and organizational messaging.

The saga underscores how culture, accountability, and performance intersect in roster-building, creating volatile climate for signings and sudden shifts in fantasy projections as teams balance optics with win-now needs.

Five Team Canada 2018 juniors — Carter Hart, Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote, Michael McLeod and Alex Formenton — will be eligible to sign with NHL clubs on Oct. 15 after acquittals, under a settlement with the NHLPA. They remain suspended until Dec. 1 as the league upholds standards of conduct, and all five become unrestricted free agents with expired contracts. Hart and McLeod carried notable NHL résumés; Dubé and Foote have continued pro seasons abroad; Formenton, inactive since 2021-22, has moved to Switzerland. The resolution closes the dispute while signaling expected conduct from players going forward.