Connor Hellebuyck isn’t just ready to play, he’s basically been begging for it. The veteran goaltender told reporters Monday he feels ready to go right now, even after not playing a single game all season. His first appearance for New Jersey is set for Tuesday night versus the Dallas Stars, just four days after the trade from Winnipeg finally wrapped up a months-long standoff.
The Grind Was Real, But the Price Was Steeper
Many athletes would let their skills rust on the sidelines, but Hellebuyck didn’t take that route. ESPN reports he practiced five to six days weekly in Michigan while suspended. He brought in free agent forwards Robby Fabbri and Antonio Stranges to train with him, approaching those sessions with the intensity of a full NHL camp. Sure, he noted the goalposts weren’t drilled into the ice like real games, and both forwards shot left-handed, which limited his practice options. But he kept grinding. He said it himself: “If you’re asking me, I’m ready today. But I don’t make every decision around here.”
Getting him to New Jersey, though, cost the Devils big time. They sent forward Dawson Mercer, goaltender Nico Daws, prospect Alexander Command, and two draft picks to Winnipeg. This trade is the biggest move yet for first-year general manager Sunny Mehta, who was hired this summer after working with the Florida Panthers. The Devils are currently sitting at a solid 7-4-0 and are riding a three-game win streak into this road trip.
Getting Back in the Flow and Facing a Monster
After spending 11 years with the Winnipeg Jets, Hellebuyck knows the league, but he still has work to do on his timing. He’s in the third year of a seven-year contract Winnipeg signed him to in 2023, and he forfeited more than $900,000 in salary because he didn’t report to training camp. Now he has to relearn how to handle screens and rebounds in a whole new system. He needs to “get a feel for some righties,” he admitted.
His last start was on April 13 against the Vegas Golden Knights, where he allowed six goals on 38 shots. And who does he face in his grand return? The Dallas Stars, who are heading into Tuesday after winning their last five games straight. Hellebuyck has a mixed history against Dallas, holding a 14-12-6 record in 32 career meetings. But it gets dicey: his last seven matchups with the Stars have been rough, with just one win and a 3.20 goals-against average. Despite those stats, his mood is all positive. “I’m just really excited to play hockey again,” Hellebuyck said. “That was the hardest part about all of this, wanting to go back and not being able to.”
With veteran Jake Allen as the only other goalie on the roster, Hellebuyck’s arrival immediately changes the team’s dynamic. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner and Olympic gold medalist brings a proven track record to a young squad. He finished his tenure with the Jets with a 345-208-55 record over 625 games, leading that franchise in nearly every major goaltending category, like wins and shutouts.
Tonight is a tough test against a red-hot Dallas club looking to extend their winning streak to six games. Can Hellebuyck shake off the rust and the bad history against the Stars, or will his first game back be another tough one? Tune in, because this one’s gonna be interesting.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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