In Connor Hellebuyck they trust, but Kyle Connor’s Olympic seat is suddenly cold
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Daniel Lucente
Feb 16, 2026 (3:12 PM)
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Photo credit: David W Cerny/Reuters via Imagn Images
Connor Hellebuyck is carrying Team USA at Milano Cortina 2026, while Kyle Connor watches from the press box, and Jets fans are feeling both pride and sting.
This is the weird part of best on best hockey, your guy can be the answer, and your other guy can become the question overnight.
Hellebuyck got the Olympic opener against Latvia, and that decision told you exactly where the U.S. staff’s confidence sits.
Mike Sullivan basically said it out loud, elite goalies everywhere, but Hellebuyck gets first crack when it matters.
It hit even harder because Hellebuyck’s NHL season in Winnipeg has been uneven, 13-16-7 with a 2.79 goals against average and .900 save percentage at the break.
Then Sunday happened, and Kyle Connor was the one sitting as the Americans rolled Germany 5-1.
Detroit Hockey Now reported Connor was a healthy scratch, with Clayton Keller sliding into his spot.
Connor Hellebuyck gives the Winnipeg Jets real Olympic swagger
Jets fans can handle a slump, but watching Connor stapled to the bench at the Olympics feels like getting punched during a win.
The math is simple, Team USA trusts Hellebuyck’s calm more than they trust Connor’s details away from the puck right now.
This is also a lineup squeeze, not a talent debate, because the U.S. is scoring and can afford to pick role fits over names.
For Jets fans, it’s still a reminder that Olympic coaches love predictable shifts more than highlight looks.
The silver lining is obvious, if the Americans go deep, Hellebuyck is going to be in the middle of it.
And the frustrating part is obvious too, Connor needs one big man advantage touch, one finish, one “how do you sit him” moment.
Team USA is into the knockout stage now, and the pressure only gets louder from here.
For Winnipeg, you just hope both Connors come home healthy, and that the one who sat comes home angry in the right way.
Also read on HockeyLatest :
Team USA Olympic hockey win turns ugly as fans accuse players of snub
Team USA Olympic hockey win turns ugly as fans accuse players of snub
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 16|260 ANSWERS In Connor Hellebuyck they trust, but Kyle Connor’s Olympic seat is suddenly cold Should Team USA put Kyle Connor back in for the elimination round? | ||
| Yes | 198 | 76.2 % |
| No | 62 | 23.8 % |
| List of polls | ||