Connor Hellebuyck won’t be between the pipes for the New Jersey Devils in Winnipeg on Tuesday night.
The Devils announced Sunday night that they are keeping their number-one netminder out of action for his return game against the Jets, citing a team decision that would reduce their odds of winning.
“This has been an organizational decision for us that we’ve debated at length,” Devils general manager Sunny Mehta said in a statement. “Connor Hellebuyck was adamant that he felt a duty to play on Tuesday in Winnipeg. However, in our estimation, playing in this game would potentially give us a reduction in our expected win probability. Even though Connor isn’t playing, at his request, we will coordinate a media availability after Tuesday’s morning skate at Canada Life Centre.”
The Jets dealt Hellebuyck to the Devils last month after a lengthy trade-request saga saw the star netminder sit out training camp and the start of the 2026-27 regular season. The November 10 game between the two teams in Winnipeg was to be Hellebuyck’s first outing at his former home arena since the drama began over the summer.
Hellebuyck is 5-0 with a 1.96 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage since joining the Devils. He recorded his first shutout of the season, blanking the Toronto Maple Leafs with 23 saves on Sunday night. The 33-year-old backstop was asked about not playing in Winnipeg after the win over Toronto.
“I’m disappointed, but I understand,” Hellebuyck said. “Selfishly, I want to play, but when you’re looking at the team and what’s best for the team, I understand where they’re coming from. I love Winnipeg, playing there again, and just facing the music. Seeing the reaction, it’d be nice, but it’s out of my hands.”
After privately requesting a trade from the Jets during the 2025-26 season, Hellebuyck went public with his desire to leave in late August. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner and one-time NHL MVP was reportedly displeased with the Jets’ current direction, as the club finished outside the playoffs for the first time since 2022.
Hellebuyck told reporters Sunday that he’ll go into more detail about why he requested the trade during his scheduled media availability in Winnipeg ahead of Tuesday’s game.
“It’s an extremely complex decision, and no one’s really nailed it on the head because there’s so many things that go into the decision,” Hellebuyck said. “But there’s also the thought that the media is the one that wins if we come out and just start speaking negatives on each other. I’ve still got some time.
“Like I said, Tuesday is where I’ll address all that, but I have nothing but respect for the organization and respect for the guys in the Jets locker room and what they’re doing there in the city and the communities there. I loved every part of it. I know it’s unfortunate that things ended the way they are, but like I said, we’ll talk about it Tuesday.”
While he may not be in net for the game, Hellebuyck will still be on New Jersey’s bench, serving as Jake Allen’s backup. He seems aware that Jets fans won’t be pleased to see him back in their arena either way.
“I’m not going to project what I think they’re going to do and how they’re going to be,” Hellebucyk said. “I know there’s a pretty sour taste in Winnipeg. I’ve heard that. But, you know, I can only speak to my memories and my cherished moments in the city.
“I’ve loved every part of my career there, and however I’m perceived, I’m going to choose love, and I’m going to choose to remember all the moments in the community coming together, all the relationships I made, being part of that community, and all the good times that I’ve had there.”
Though Devils GM Sunny Mehta cited “expected win probability” concerns, the team’s head coach, Sheldon Keefe, sang a slightly different tune when asked to share his opinion on the organization’s decision to keep Hellebuyck out. Keefe focused more on giving Hellebuyck rest ahead of what he considers two important divisional games against the Washington Capitals at the end of next week.
“Tonight was his third game in six nights,” Keefe said. “He’s been at this for less than two weeks with us. And then after we finish this road game in Winnipeg, we’re going to go home to two big divisional games waiting for us. That would be four (games) in eight (days) for him to play at Winnipeg, and then we want to play him in both games against Washington when we go back.
“This guy had no training camp, no preseason. You’re just not going to put a guy in that situation. Connor wanted to play the game, but I think he understands our rationale, and he’s going to speak with the media and all that kind of stuff. And then we’ll press on.”
The remaining question will be whether it’s truly better for the Devils to postpone Hellebuyck’s return start in Winnipeg for another year.
Hellebuyck is signed for another four seasons, meaning he and the Devils will visit Winnipeg at least four more times through the 2030-31 campaign. He’ll have to fully face the music at some point.
