- Connor Hellebuyck is holding his full thoughts on the Jets until after the Heritage Classic
- He called the last month a “prolonged training camp” and said “I’m here to win”
- Read below for what Devils GM Sunny Mehta said about when Hellebuyck plays
Connor Hellebuyck has a lot to say about the Winnipeg Jets, and he is not saying it yet.
Speaking to reporters Saturday after Friday’s trade to the Devils, Hellebuyck talked about leaving Winnipeg. He said he is saving that conversation until the Jets are done with their Heritage Classic weekend.
“There’s a lot that I need to say, but they have the Heritage game coming up, so out of respect for them and the celebration of hockey, I’m gonna postpone that to a later date,” Hellebuyck said. “I hope they know I care about them.”
Watch the Devils’ stream of the press conference:
The Jets host the Canadiens at Princess Auto Stadium on Sunday, and Hellebuyck is the story hanging over it. He went public with his trade request in August, and the Jets suspended him in September when he didn’t report to training camp. That suspension was set to end Friday.
Hellebuyck also explained how the stretch away from the game felt. Sitting at home wore on him, and he is eager to be back on the ice.
“Sitting at home for so long was getting to me,” Hellebuyck said. “For myself, I’m just really excited to play hockey again. I’m joining a very skilled group. I know they’re bringing me in for a certain, specific role, and I’m really excited to try to fill that role.”
He kept skating in Michigan with free agent Robby Fabbri and former Stars prospect Antonio Stranges, and he described the month as a “prolonged training camp.” He doesn’t expect a long adjustment once he practices with a full NHL roster.
“Getting into an NHL practice at NHL speeds throughout a whole roster is going to be important,” he said. “But I don’t think, at this point in my career, it’s going to take me long.”
The goal is simple for the 33-year-old. The three-time Vezina winner and 2025 Hart Trophy winner has spent his whole career in Winnipeg and has no Stanley Cup yet.
“I’m here to win,” Hellebuyck said. “The only thing I’ve got left on my resume is a Stanley Cup.”
As for when he suits up, Devils GM Sunny Mehta isn’t committing. He said there is a lot to factor in and that the team will wait and see. He also shared a story about the first call with Hellebuyck, when the goalie told him he was packed and ready to drive over right then. Mehta told him not to.
Hellebuyck wasn’t in the lineup for Saturday’s game against the Kings. Jake Allen is 4-2-0 with a .883 save percentage, and Nico Daws went to Winnipeg in the deal. Hellebuyck carries an $8.5 million cap hit through 2030-31 after a down 2025-26 that saw him post a .895 save percentage.
