Stanley Cup rivals watch as Connor Hellebuyck heads to New Jersey Devils
Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck has been traded to the New Jersey Devils, and he has spoken publicly for the first time since the deal.
The Stanley Cup conversation shifted this week after the Winnipeg Jets traded goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils in a deal announced on Friday. The trade drew wide attention across the NHL, and Hellebuyck has now addressed the New Jersey media for the first time.
A trade that reshapes the Devils' crease
Hellebuyck is a three-time Vezina Trophy winner and an Olympic gold medalist, according to reports. He has not played this season after asking for a trade over the summer. ESPN's trade grades and reports from Yahoo Sports also said that Carolina Hurricanes had tried to acquire a forward in a separate push for Hellebuyck before the deal was completed.
The Devils entered Saturday with a 7-4-0 record after a win over the Los Angeles Kings, in which Jake Allen was in goal. Adding a goalie of Hellebuyck's standing is expected to change the picture for opponents, though that remains a projection rather than a result.
Hellebuyck speaks at his introduction
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Hellebuyck said that sitting out had been difficult. He said he was eager to return to play and described joining a skilled group that brought him in for a specific role. He said he intends to fill that role both on and off the ice.
Asked about the contrast between playing in New Jersey and in a Canadian market such as Winnipeg, Hellebuyck gave a measured answer. He said some players enjoy the attention in hockey-mad cities, while others want privacy, including when running errands. He described his time in Canada warmly and said he had built lasting friendships there.
He declined to rank the two markets. "I know that I've enjoyed both and I've experienced both," he said, adding that both countries celebrate hockey in their own way.
What comes next
Hellebuyck is expected to begin playing for the Devils after a long stretch on the sidelines. His return to Winnipeg is scheduled for November 10, when the Devils visit the Jets, and that game will be the first time he faces his former team as an opponent. Fans and analysts will be watching both his performance and the Devils' results in the weeks ahead.
The Stanley Cup race is still early, and the Devils' long-term fortunes will depend on how the newcomer fits into the team's system.
Hockey fans searching for "stanley" are likely looking for the latest on the NHL, and this trade has been one of the most discussed moves of the week.
Editor's note: The Devils and Hellebuyck's first game in Winnipeg are scheduled for November 10.
Reporting by Chopal Unfiltered.
Hellebuyck's first game for New Jersey remains to be confirmed.
It is what it is.
