Josh Morrissey isn't hiding how much Connor Hellebuyck's trade request stung on a personal level.
The two have played their entire 11-season careers together, both debuting with the Winnipeg Jets back in 2015-16.
Morrissey said he learned about the request the same time everyone else did, on August 27, when Hellebuyck's statement went public.
"It stinks when first and foremost a guy that I've played my whole career with and consider a really good friend feels the need to make a move," Morrissey said at the Jets' golf outing.
"There is definitely that sort of personal relationship disappointment there," he added.
Hellebuyck has won three Vezina Trophies and a Hart Trophy, and he helped the United States win gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics last season.
Training camp opens this week, and it's still unclear whether Hellebuyck will even be in the building when it does.
Why Morrissey isn't letting this change his own plans
Morrissey said he still hopes the relationship between Hellebuyck and the organization can be salvaged, even without knowing what a trade would actually look like.
"I love being here. I love being a Jet," Morrissey said. "That doesn't change because of somebody else's decision."
Morrissey posted 55 points in 77 games last season, averaging a career-high 24:43 of ice time, and has two years left on his current deal.
He becomes eligible to sign a new contract on July 1, and he's already the franchise's all-time leader in games played, assists, and points among Jets and Thrashers defensemen.
He also pointed to Cale Makar's record eight-year, $163,200,000 deal in Colorado as proof of how strong the league's financial climate is right now.
"It's been a good summer and time for the league, for everybody," Morrissey said. "The salary cap has gone up, and that provides more flexibility for every player."
Winnipeg still doesn't know what its crease looks like once camp actually starts. Morrissey, at least, has made clear his own future isn't part of that uncertainty.
Should the Jets prioritize keeping Josh Morrissey long-term over resolving the Hellebuyck situation first?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Canucks face growing concern as top prospect's future in the rebuild comes into question
