Why Devils' Connor Hellebuyck isn't starting return to Winnipeg in curious decision

Why Devils' Connor Hellebuyck isn't starting return to Winnipeg in curious decision originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The months-long between Connor Hellebuyck and the Jets ended in October with a trade to the Devils, but one more date has been circled on the calendar of Winnipeg fans: Nov. 10.Hellebuyck returns to Winnipeg as a member of the Devils on Tuesday, and he is expected to face the noise from Jets fans after he demanded a trade and sat out the start of the season until getting his wish with the deal that sent him to New Jersey.When Hellebuyck faces the music, though, it won't be from his usual vantage point.Here's what you need to know about the Devils' surprise decision to sit Hellebuyck for their game against his former team.MORE:Grading the Connor Hellebuyck trade for Devils, JetsWhy Connor Hellebuyck isn't starting in Winnipeg returnJets fans hoping to give Hellebuyck a piece of their mind will have to direct their frustration toward the bench, if he is out there at all.The former Hart Trophy winner won't start on Tuesday, with both the Devils and Hellebuyck claiming the decision was made solely by the team."This has been an organizational decision for us that we've debated at length," Devils GM Sunny Mehta said in a statement Sunday.Hellebuyck was "adamant" about playing, Mehta said, but the team determined the goalie "playing in this game would potentially give us a reduction in our expected win probability."A statement from Devils GM Sunny Mehta on our game Tuesday in Winnipeg. https://t.co/xrF8OBaHXe— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) November 9, 2026Hellebuyck will speak to Winnipeg reporters on Tuesday morning, and he said Sunday night that he is "disappointed" he won't be starting. "It's out of my hands," Hellebuyck said.The Winnipeg Free Press' Mike McIntyre noted that Hellebuyck typically stays inside, away from the bench, in games he doesn't start.MORE:How Jets made NHL history with insane comeback vs. CanadiensDevils coach Sheldon Keefe attributed the decision to Hellebuyck's workload."This is a goaltender that is not going to play every single game of the season," Keefe said. "You're always looking for times to give him a night off."Sheldon Keefe cites Connor Hellebuyck's workload as a big reason he won't play in Winnipeg. That would have been his 4th start in 8 days. "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."— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) November 9, 2026That night off will come with awkward timing, as hockey fans were anticipating Hellebuyck's return to Winnipeg after a tumultuous offseason that started with his trade demand.MORE:Nikita Kucherov addresses trade request from Lightning