Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck ready to return to action, activated off IR

For the past four days, those of us covering the Jets have been paying closer attention to practice as Connor Hellebuyck has been back on the ice with his teammates.

It was three weeks ago today that Hellebuyck underwent a minor arthroscopic knee procedure, an injury initially projected to sideline him for four to six weeks. Without him in the lineup, the Jets have gone 3-8-1, sliding from a comfortable playoff position to four points out of a wild-card spot—albeit with two games in hand.

Four days ago, TSN’s Darren Dreger provided a significant update, saying, “I’d look to have him back in the net starting for the Jets potentially next week.”

A day later, Hellebuyck was skating with his teammates, though head coach Scott Arniel wasn’t ready to fuel the excitement, noting only that “he’s getting closer” while emphasizing the importance of seeing how he felt the next day and where his conditioning stood.

Watching No. 37 at practice Friday in Winnipeg, it was hard to imagine he wouldn’t be ready sooner rather than later. Hellebuyck occupied one net and faced a steady workload during drills, while Eric Comrie and Domenic DiVincentiis worked at the other end with goaltending coach Wade Flaherty.

Which brings us to today, when it was confirmed that Connor Hellebuyck has been activated off IR by the Jets. Our IC Intern Zach Nolan got this video of 37 (wearing a 62 jersey as the team honours Nino Niederreiter for game 1000).

Given how much they’ve struggled in his absence, it couldn’t come at a better time.