- Jets coach Scott Arniel says Connor Hellebuyck “just gave up on us” and the Devils’ decision only drags the story out
- Kyle Connor “didn’t even think that was a possibility” that his former teammate wouldn’t play in Winnipeg
- Read below for Arniel’s full comments, the Devils’ explanation and when the Jets see Hellebuyck next
Scott Arniel isn’t hiding his feelings about Connor Hellebuyck sitting out Tuesday’s game in Winnipeg.
The Jets head coach spoke to reporters Monday and said Hellebuyck “just gave up on us.” He also pointed out that the Devils’ decision won’t end the saga. It stretches it out.
Arniel was asked about the news that Hellebuyck won’t start against his old team. He said he wanted the closure that a Tuesday start would have brought.
“It would put closure to it. This doesn’t,” Arniel said. “We’re gonna see them in 10 games in their building, and I’m sure he’s gonna be in the net then. So, it’s disappointing.”
Arniel then explained who he believes the trade request really hurt. Watch him make the case:
“It goes back to the ownership, it goes back to the fans, it goes back to the core guys that have been with Helly from the very beginning, who he kind of left on,” Arniel said. “That’s the part for me that’s hard, he just gave up on us, and so it would be nice to just finally be done with this.”
He also said he doesn’t see how analytics fit into the decision. “I’m not sure how this works into the analytics part of it,” Arniel said.
That is the explanation Devils GM Sunny Mehta gave in Sunday night’s statement. Mehta said Hellebuyck “was adamant that he felt a duty to play,” but that starting him would “potentially give us a reduction in our expected win probability.” We broke down the full announcement Sunday, and Ray Ferraro questioned the logic with a stat about Jake Allen on Monday.
Kyle Connor, Winnipeg’s leading scorer, also talked about the decision. He played with Hellebuyck for years in Winnipeg and on Team USA’s Olympic gold medal team.
“I didn’t even think that was a possibility, so I was pretty surprised,” Connor said. “I thought he was playing for sure.” He added, “I think we all hoped he was playing.”
Hellebuyck is 5-0-0 with a 1.96 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage since the trade, and the Devils have won five straight. The Jets have won three in a row and sit at 7-8-3.
New Jersey makes its only trip to Canada Life Centre on Tuesday. The Devils host the Jets on Nov. 28 in Newark. Hellebuyck is scheduled to speak to the media after Tuesday’s morning skate, and he’ll get another chance to explain the trade request.
