- Connor Hellebuyck has been reinstated from his suspension after the trade to the Devils
- New Jersey now carries him at an $8.1 million cap hit with $103K in projected space
- Read below for his debut timeline and what he said about the adjustment
Connor Hellebuyck is officially a Devil.
PuckPedia reported Saturday that the goalie has been reinstated from the suspension the Jets handed him for skipping training camp. New Jersey now has him at an $8.1 million cap hit for this season:
That number is lower than the $8.5 million on his contract because of the penalty for missing camp, which we broke down in our look at the salary he forfeited. The reduced charge leaves the Devils with $103K in projected cap space, per PuckPedia, and the full terms of the swap are in our trade breakdown.
Hellebuyck hasn’t played an NHL game this season. He said he spent the past month training in Michigan with free agents Robby Fabbri and Antonio Stranges and treated it like an extended camp.
He was asked at his introductory press conference how long the adjustment to NHL speed might take.
“I think at this point in my career, it’s not going to take me long,” Hellebuyck said. “You adapt and you adapt quick.”
Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said the team will evaluate the goalie before picking a debut date. Keefe talked about where Hellebuyck stands physically.
“He’s quite dialed into his plan and where he’s at, and he’s been working incredibly hard,” Keefe said. “The medical team will get a sense of where he is.”
The Devils posted video of Hellebuyck hitting the ice in New Jersey on Saturday. Take a look at him in the No. 37 practice jersey:
Jake Allen and Nico Daws were stopping 88 percent of shots before Daws went to Winnipeg in the deal, so the upgrade can’t come soon enough. Hellebuyck will pair with the 36-year-old Allen once he’s cleared.
New Jersey (7-4-0) opens a three-game road trip Tuesday in Dallas. The Devils visit Winnipeg on Nov. 10, which would be a fitting date to see Hellebuyck in net.
