Hockey
Hellebuyck returns to Winnipeg — but not in net: Devils hand the start to Jake Allen
Connor Hellebuyck is back in Winnipeg, but he will not be in the net. On Tuesday night at Canada Life Centre, Jake Allen will start in goal for the New Jersey Devils against the Jets, the star goaltender's former team. Hellebuyck, traded to New Jersey on October 23 after eleven seasons in Winnipeg, will still dress — as Allen's backup — a team decision he says he understands, even though he would rather have played. “I told them I felt it was my duty to play this game,” he said on Tuesday morning after the Devils' skate.
“It was my duty to play”
The decision to sit Hellebuyck was announced by the Devils on Sunday. General manager Sunny Mehta justified it by saying that starting the 33-year-old against his former team would “potentially give us a reduction in our expected win probability” — an unusually blunt explanation that raised eyebrows around the league. Hellebuyck said he made his case to the team before accepting the call. He is expected to be visible during warmups, then on the bench. At the other end, the Jets will turn to Nico Daws, who arrived from New Jersey in the trade, against his former club.
A break that went beyond hockey
On Tuesday morning, Hellebuyck also gave his clearest explanation yet for leaving Winnipeg. He said events involving his family had “crossed the line” after he won gold with the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. “It's more than just online death threats and I'm gonna ask you to respect my privacy and my family's privacy, I won't go deeper than that,” he said, declining to give details. “I needed to be a good husband and good father, and do what's best for my family and my career.” The three-time Vezina Trophy winner told the Jets at the end of last season that he wanted out, despite five years remaining on the seven-year, $59.1 million contract he signed in October 2023. He made his request public on August 27, then failed to report to training camp in September, earning a suspension and forfeiting just under $930,000. Winnipeg finally traded him on October 23.
A perfect start in New Jersey
On the ice, the change of scenery has been an instant success. Hellebuyck is a perfect 5-0-0 with the Devils, with a 1.96 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage. To get him, New Jersey sent Winnipeg prospect Alexander Command, drafted 12th overall in June, forwards Dawson Mercer and Nick Bjugstad, goaltender Nic Daws, a 2027 seventh-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick. The Devils (13-5-0) have won five straight and sit just four points behind Metropolitan-leading Carolina with a game in hand. The Jets have won three straight after a nine-game slide and can climb back to .500 with a win on Tuesday, on “90's Night” at Canada Life Centre. Even so, Hellebuyck hopes his story with Winnipeg does not end on a bitter note: “I don't want our relationships to be gone... I'm going to choose the love I have for [Winnipeg] and everyone in the community.”