Devils Won't Start Connor Hellebuyck In His First Game Back In Winnipeg On Nov. 10

The New Jersey Devils announced on Sunday night that Connor Hellebuyck won't start the Nov. 10 game against the Winnipeg Jets. The news comes shortly after a 4-0 Devils victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, a game Hellebuyck started and earned a 23-save shutout, his first with the team. 

Hellebuyck, who won three Vezina Trophies and the 2025 Hart Trophy with the Jets, wanted to start the game and make his much-anticipated return to Winnipeg. "I'm disappointed, but I understand," Hellebuyck stated after the game against the Maple Leafs. "Selfishly, I want to play, but when you look at what's best for the team, I understand where they are coming from," he added. 

The decision to start Jake Allen, instead of Hellebuyck, came from the front office and general manager Sunny Mehta, along with the coaching staff. "From our end of it, he's playing his third game in six nights; he's been at this for less than two weeks, and then after we finish this road game against Winnipeg, we go home," head coach Sheldon Keefe added, referencing the divisional matchups on Thursday, Nov. 12, and Saturday, Nov. 14, against the Washington Capitals. 

The statement and the decision are questionable. Mehta cited the expected win probability in his statement as the reason for starting Allen against the Jets. The Devils are 5-0 in games Hellebuyck has started while going 6-3 in Allen's starts. Hellebuyck started five of the previous seven games and the Devils were willing to lean on him as their primary starter, especially once he began practicing with the team. His first practice was on Oct. 26 and his first start was Oct. 27 against the Dallas Stars.

The surprise is that the Devils had confidence in Hellebuyck from the moment they acquired him and leaned on him during the hot streak. Yet, for his much-anticipated return to Winnipeg, they prefer Allen, suggesting starting the backup gives them a higher win probability.

The other question is what happens next, not just for the Devils, who have won five games in a row and nine of their last 10, but for the Jets as well. The team was preparing for his return, and while the fans will likely express their frustration with their goaltender demanding a trade, the team was preparing to welcome him back in some capacity. Presumably, the Jets have a video tribute showcasing his highlights and great play on the ice, but more importantly, his impact off the ice and everything he's done for the Winnipeg community over the past decade. 

Will the Jets play the video if Hellebuyck isn't on the ice or behind the bench? According to Jets media members, Hellebuyck doesn't sit on the bench when he's backing up. Instead, he stays in the room with the goaltending coach. 

In the Devils' statement, Hellebuyck requested to meet with the media before the Tuesday night game. He will meet after the Devils' morning skate at the Canada Life Centre. 

This is a developing story. Make sure to follow The Hockey News as more news becomes available.