New Jersey Devils goaltender Connor Hellebuyck said Tuesday he wanted to play against his former team in Winnipeg but understands the decision to sit him. The Devils announced Sunday that Hellebuyck, who has been undefeated since joining the team, would not be playing in Winnipeg. According to a statement from Devils general manager Sunny Matha, the decision was made to sit Hellebuyck as “in our estimation, playing in this game would potentially give us a reduction in our expected win probability.” “They handle their business differently than I’m used to,” Hellebuyck said during a news conference in his first visit back to Winnipeg since last month’s trade. “I went in there and I said my piece that I felt it was my duty to play this game. I want to play.” “I had a good conversation with [head coach Sheldon Keefe] and Sunny, and I left that conversation understanding where they’re at and why they’re making their decision and I respect it.” Hellebuyck was traded to the Devils last month after going public with a trade request this summer. During his 11 seasons with the Winnipeg Jets, he won three Vezina Trophies and the 2024-25 Hart Trophy as league MVP. Hellebuyck also spoke about how he hoped to still be able to keep the connections he made in Winnipeg even though he is no longer a Jet. “I have had all of my career accomplishments here, and I don’t want any of this to change that,” he said. “I still feel like I have a lot of relationships here and a lot of close friends that mean a lot to me, so I don’t want any of this to change that.” The Jets and Devils battle at Canada Life Centre at 7 p.m. tonight. This is a developing story. More to come.
