Devils GM says Connor Hellebuyck will not play against Winnipeg Jets, citing 'reduction' in win probability

The trade saga of New Jersey Devils goaltender Connor Hellebuyck might have found a conclusion, but the drama is far from over.Weeks after the former Winnipeg Jets netminder was traded to the Devils, Hellebuyck was supposed to face his former team on Tuesday. But on Sunday, New Jersey general manager Sunny Mehta announced that Hellebuyck will not be playing after all, with Mehta citing concerns about how it would affect their win probability.”This has been an organizational decision for us that we’ve debated at length,” Mehta said. “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.”Mehta added that the team will organize media availability with Hellebuyck “at his request” after the Devils’ morning skate on Tuesday.A statement from Devils GM Sunny Mehta on our game Tuesday in Winnipeg. pic.twitter.com/xrF8OBaHXe— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) November 9, 2026Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters that the decision to rest Hellebuyck was actually about load management, as the goalie has started three games already this week.“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,” Keefe said.The news dropped shortly after the Devils’ 4-0 away win over Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0 on Sunday. As a result, Hellebuyck spoke to reporters about the issue postgame, saying that he told the Devils that he wanted to play, but was overruled.“I’m disappointed, but I understand. Selfishly, I wanna 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.”Connor Hellebuyck speaks to the media following his shutout win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. pic.twitter.com/US2zqdwpMr— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) November 9, 2026Hellebuyck added that he would speak more about his reasons for wanting to leave Winnipeg during his media availability on Tuesday. The goaltender acknowledged that his departure left “a pretty sour taste” in Winnipeg, but that he’d been thinking about what he’s going to say on Tuesday for a while.“It’s an extremely complex decision, and no one’s really nailed it on the head, ‘cause there’s so many things that go into the decision,” Hellebuyck said. “I loved every part of (my time in Winnipeg), and I know it’s unfortunate that things ended the way they are.”The saga with Hellebuyck began in August, when the goaltender publicly confirmed that he had requested a trade from the Jets. In a statement, Hellebuyck did not get specific about why he wanted to leave, but said that “moving on is the best path forward for me and my family.”However, in mid-September, Winnipeg suspended the star goalie for failing to report to training camp. Hellebuyck’s suspension, which cost him nearly $930,000, was set to end on the same day that he was traded to New Jersey.Since joining the Devils on Oct. 23, Hellebuyck has gone 5-0 in his five starts for the team. With Hellebuyck out, goalie Jake Allen will start for New Jersey.