Connor Hellebuyck's suspension is set to end Friday, Oct. 23, according to Elliotte Friedman, and the Jets goalie could rejoin the team then, barring a trade.
The insider said the goalie informed Winnipeg before its first game of the season of his intention to end his absence and report.
"I don't think that's what anyone wants, not Hellebuyck, not the Jets, not the players, not the fans," he said.
"But that's where we could be next week, barring a trade."
Winnipeg now has six days to make a deal or live with the most awkward reunion in hockey.
It's like a lease running out on a roommate nobody wants back. Either somebody finds him a new place by Friday, or the bags come back through the front door.
The Jets' first game after that date is Oct. 25 at home against Montreal.
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Connor Hellebuyck trade watch: Buffalo and Utah emerge as top suitors
On NHL Now, Friedman said Buffalo, and maybe Utah, remain the most likely scenarios.
He added that Carolina would love to have him, but that it would be a three-way trade at best.
Buffalo's Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen sits at .854, and Colten Ellis is at .864.
Friedman has also reported Luukkonen has Winnipeg on his no-trade list, which complicates any straight swap with Buffalo.
Utah's Karel Vejmelka is at .898 for a team sitting at 6-2-0, and the Mammoth host Edmonton tonight.
Carolina beat Winnipeg 3-2 on Saturday afternoon and improved to 7-1-1.
Pyotr Kochetkov sits at .912 on a $2,000,000 cap hit.
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The Jets are now 4-2-2.
Stuart Skinner sits at .906 in their crease, and Clay Stevenson is at .893.
A fan-built website has been tracking the salary he forfeits every day he stays away.
Hellebuyck carries an $8,500,000 cap hit.
Does Kevin Cheveldayoff take the best offer before Friday, or let the clock run out?
Winnipeg visits St. Louis on Tuesday and Dallas on Thursday before that deadline arrives.
Six days, three realistic suitors and one very uncomfortable alternative. The clock in Winnipeg is officially running.
Will the Jets trade Connor Hellebuyck before his suspension ends on Oct. 23?
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Maple Leafs linked to Simon Edvinsson and Alexander Nikishin in trade talks
