BY MIKE RIFKIN
The New Jersey Devils are 13-5 on the young hockey season after a 4-0 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, but it’s what happened after the game that has people talking. The Devils will be ending a three game road trip in Winnipeg on Tuesday, if only there was a storyline for the game? That’s right it’s Connor Hellebuyck’s return to Winnipeg and nothing will get in the way of that. Except there is something that has gotten in the way.
Shortly after the win over the Leafs, Devils GM Sunny Mehta put out a statement saying Hellebuyck would not play on Tuesday night. The full quote reads as follows “ 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. Even though Connor isn’t playing, at his request we will coordinate a media availability after Tuesday’s morning skate at Canada Life Center.” Sheldon Keefe went on to discuss the workload saying it’d be Hellebuyck’s fourth start in eight days. The same Connor Hellebuyck that played in 60 plus games from 2021-22 until 2024-25, you mean to tell me he’s tired?
This is just ridiculous, I understand the Devils have a home and home against the Washington Capitals after the game Tuesday, but to say it would give you a reduction in your expected win probability is weird, Hellebuyck didn’t play Saturday against the Islanders and Monday is an off day for the Devils, so he should be rested for Tuesday. If this was Connor’s decision it’s soft and if this was the Devils decision it’s dumb, but completely within their rights.
If this was Connor’s decision it’s not only soft, but it’s a slap in the face to Jet fans. When a player leaves a team that first game back is must watch. Hellebuyck should just face the music, instead of kicking the can down the road next season. Having him play against the Jets in New Jersey on November 28th is not the same thing. Connor Hellebuyck is a former Hart Trophy winner, three time Vezina Trophy winner, and an Olympic Gold Medalist, but he saw what happened when Brady Tkachuk returned to Ottawa, but Brady embraced it.
If the Devils wanted to hold him out just so he can play both games against the Caps that’s fine. We don’t have to like it, but it’s a respectable move, but this statement makes it look terrible and now the fans of the Jets need to wait to showcase their emotions towards Hellebuyck. If the NHL schedule maker reads this a Devils vs Jets opening night game sounds pretty good. On Sunday night the Devils may have won on the ice, but off of it this is a big loss.
