- Devils GM Sunny Mehta says Connor Hellebuyck won’t start Tuesday against the Jets in Winnipeg
- Hellebuyck was “adamant” he wanted to play, according to the team’s statement
- Read below for Hellebuyck’s reaction, coach Sheldon Keefe’s explanation and what he plans to say Tuesday
The Devils won’t start Connor Hellebuyck against the Jets in Winnipeg on Tuesday.
General manager Sunny Mehta announced the decision in a statement Sunday night, and he admitted Hellebuyck wanted the game. It would have been the goalie’s first trip back to Canada Life Centre since the trade request saga ended with a deal to New Jersey.
Mehta explained the thinking in the statement, and it came down to analytics:
“This has been an organizational decision for us that we’ve debated at length. 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.”
Hellebuyck was asked after Sunday’s 4-0 win over the Maple Leafs about missing the start against his old team. He said he understands the call but made clear he disagreed.
“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,” Hellebuyck said. “I love Winnipeg, and playing there again and just facing the music, and seeing the reaction, it’d be nice, but it’s out of my hands.”
Watch Hellebuyck’s full postgame comments:
He added that he told management how he felt and they gave him their side. In his words, he could only push so hard.
Coach Sheldon Keefe gave a different reason than Mehta’s win probability line. He was asked about sitting Hellebuyck and pointed to the goalie’s workload.
“From our perspective, when you zoom out, this is a goaltender that is not going to play every single game of the season. You’re always looking for times to give him a night off.”
See Keefe’s full answer:
The decision lands after a perfect start in New Jersey. Hellebuyck made 23 saves for his first shutout as a Devil on Sunday and became the first goalie to win his first five games with the team. He sits at 5-0-0 with a 1.96 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage, and the Devils have won five straight.
Winnipeg got forwards Nick Bjugstad, Dawson Mercer and Alexander Command, goalie Nico Daws, a 2029 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-rounder in the trade, so Tuesday also puts that return on the same ice as Hellebuyck for the first time.
Hellebuyck will still talk to reporters in Winnipeg after Tuesday’s morning skate. He said he plans to address why he asked out of Winnipeg, a subject he touched on in his letter to Jets fans last week.
