Connor Hellebuyck will not play in the New Jersey Devils' upcoming game against his former team, but he said he will deliver answers for why he requested a trade.
On Sunday, Nov. 8, the Devils released a statement saying that the All-Star goaltender will not play in their game against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Hellebuyck joined the Devils on Oct. 23 via a trade with the Jets that ended a dramatic saga
.“This has been an organizational decision for us that we’ve debated at length," the statement, attributed to Devils general manager Sunny 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."
New Jersey said that Hellebuyck, 33, will speak to the media on Tuesday after the team's morning skate at Canada Life Centre.
Hellebuyck, who is an Olympic gold medalist with Team USA and three-time Vezina Trophy winner, spoke to the media on Sunday after the Devils' 4-0 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs about being benched against his former team.
"I'm disappointed, but I understand," he said. "Selfishly, I want to play, but when you're looking at the team and what's best for the team, I understand where they're coming from."
He said that, in Tuesday's media availability, he will give the reasons behind his mysterious request to be traded, noting, "It's an extremely complex decision."
The Michigan native continued that he found out "a day or two ago" that he would not be playing in Winnipeg and said he has "nothing but respect for that organization."
"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," he said. " ... We definitely had a conversation and I told them my thoughts on it and they told me theirs and at the end of the day, I have to listen to them."
Hellebuyck is 5-0 since he joined the Devils. When he was on the Jets, he quietly requested a trade and was suspended after not reporting to training camp. He was shipped to New Jersey the day he was expected to return from the suspension.
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, 2026
After the trade, the goaltender posted a message to Winnipeg fans on social media and explained that his family was a factor in requesting the move.
"I know my decision to request a trade was disappointing and frustrating for so many people, especially those who supported me throughout my career," he wrote. "I understand those feelings, and I want everyone to know it was an extremely difficult decision.
"There were several considerations that went into my decision, including some very challenging circumstances involving my family. After a lot of thought and discussion, we ultimately felt that make a change was the best thing for our family. We've chosen to keep those personal circumstances private, and I hope people can respect that."
Hellebuyck was drafted by the Jets in 2012 and made his NHL debut in 2015. He played 11 seasons in Winnipeg where he was named an All-Star four times and won the award for the league's best goaltender in 2020, 2024 and 2025.
In another recent NHL trade saga, Brady Tkachuk faced his former team, the Ottawa Senators, last month as a member of the Florida Panthers. He was greeted by several boos and reveled in playing the villain role. Tkachuk was drafted by the Senators and played eight seasons there before requesting a trade and being shipped south. He sought the move to play with his older brother, Matthew, who is also on the Panthers.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Connor Hellebuyck won't play in Devils' game vs. Jets, will explain trade request
