Connor Hellebuyck won’t start for New Jersey Devils in return to Winnipeg

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Connor Hellebuyck will not start in his first return to Winnipeg when the New Jersey Devils visit the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday at Canada Life Centre, the Devils announced. New Jersey general manager Sunny Mehta said the team expects to start Jake Allen instead, making Tuesday’s matchup the latest development in Hellebuyck’s early-season workload management with his new club.

Mehta delivered the decision in a team statement released after Hellebuyck made 23 saves in a 4-0 shutout win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday. According to the Devils, that performance was Hellebuyck’s first shutout since New Jersey acquired him from the Jets on Oct. 23.

The Devils said the coaching staff’s reasoning centres on keeping a close eye on Hellebuyck’s workload as he settles into the flow of the season. New Jersey head coach Sheldon Keefe added that the decision also reflects Hellebuyck not participating in training camp or preseason games, a factor the team believes changes how quickly a goaltender may reach full rhythm.

In the statement, Mehta said the choice was an organizational one that the Devils “debat[ed] at length,” noting Hellebuyck was adamant that he wanted to play Tuesday in Winnipeg. Mehta also stated that even with Hellebuyck not starting, the Devils will coordinate a media availability after Tuesday’s morning skate at Canada Life Centre.

Keefe expanded on the scheduling context, pointing to the timing of Hellebuyck’s recent starts and the importance of aligning the goaltender plan with the rest of the week. He cited that Sunday’s game was Hellebuyck’s third start in six nights and said New Jersey does not want to place him in a position to start four games in eight, especially with a plan that includes both games against the Washington Capitals later in the week.

According to the Devils’ schedule, New Jersey plays at home against the Capitals on Thursday and then travels to Washington for Saturday’s game. Keefe’s comments indicated the team intends to treat Tuesday’s Winnipeg game as part of a broader stretch rather than a standalone matchup, emphasizing that goaltenders typically do not play every game over a full season and that “giving him a night off” is built into how New Jersey views the calendar.

Hellebuyck, who spoke to the media following Sunday’s win, reiterated that he was disappointed by the decision but understood it. He said he was looking forward to “playing there again,” including the chance to “see the reaction,” but added that it was ultimately “out of my hands.” He also said he discussed the situation with the organization, described it as a back-and-forth conversation about the team’s reasoning and his own views, and said he “can only push so hard.”

The Devils also outlined the history and backdrop behind the trip. Hellebuyck played 11 seasons with the Jets, winning the Vezina Trophy three times and the Hart Trophy once. The source also noted that his departure from Winnipeg was contentious, with Hellebuyck revealing prior to this season that he requested a trade despite having five years remaining on a seven-year, $59.5 million contract signed with the Jets on Oct. 9, 2023. It further states that the Jets suspended Hellebuyck on Sept. 16 for failure to report to training camp and that he was traded on the day his suspension was set to end.

The announcement on Tuesday’s starter also comes after Hellebuyck previously discussed the emotional tone of his return to Winnipeg. The Devils’ release states that Hellebuyck referenced a “pretty sour taste” in the city, saying he has chosen to focus on positive memories and relationships from his time there even though he expects the situation will be sensitive for Jets fans.

Despite not being the starter, Hellebuyck is set to hold a press conference at Canada Life Centre on Tuesday. The Devils said he plans to address his reasons for asking for a trade, building on a letter he wrote to Jets fans and released on his Instagram account Wednesday. The source also says Hellebuyck has been thinking about what he will say beyond the letter and described the overall decision as complex.

In his additional remarks, Hellebuyck said he believes media attention can reward negative exchanges if players trade criticisms, and he suggested that he still has “some time” before Tuesday when he expects to explain his perspective. He also said he has “nothing but respect” for the Jets organization and for the players in the Jets locker room and for the community in Winnipeg, adding that he loved his time there while also acknowledging that the circumstances of the end of his tenure were unfortunate.

For New Jersey, the goaltending update is the immediate consequence of the workload and schedule decision. The Devils’ release states that Hellebuyck is 5-0-0 with a 1.96 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage with New Jersey. With Hellebuyck sidelined for Tuesday’s start, the emphasis shifts to Jake Allen’s role in the return matchup as New Jersey continues building its plan toward key divisional games against Washington later this week.