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Near the end of his press conference Saturday, after answering questions about his New Jersey knowledge and his Olympic memories and how he can be the missing piece for this Devils core, Connor Hellebuyck fielded one about the Winnipeg fans.
About his message to them after the 33-year-old spent the first 11 seasons of his career with the Jets before a messy breakup that ultimately ended with a blockbuster Friday — when Winnipeg sent him to New Jersey in exchange for forwards Dawson Mercer and Nick Bjugstad, goalie Nico Daws, Alexander Command, a 2027 seventh-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick.
Hellebuyck requested a trade in the offseason, didn’t show up to training camp and was then suspended by the Jets, but he said he hopes that the Jets fans “know I care about them” while deflecting any further reflection until a later date.
“I mean, there’s a lot,” Hellebuyck told reporters Saturday, when he was introduced by the Devils. “There’s a lot that I need to say, but they have the Heritage Game coming up — so out of respect for them and for the celebration of hockey, I’m gonna postpone that to a later date.”
It was the saga — along with Dylan Larkin in Detroit — that defined the NHL season to this point, especially with his suspension reportedly set to end and a potential return to Winnipeg, of all things, after months of drama, still on the table.
But a trade had always appeared to be the most likely solution, and after joining Martin Brodeur as high-profile goalies to play for the Devils this century, Hellebuyck, who hasn’t played in a game since the end of last season, said Saturday he doesn’t think he’ll need long to ramp up before returning.
He said that sitting at home for so long, as the rest of the NHL continued operating around him, “was getting to me,” and Hellebuyck oozed with excitement when talking about the chance for a fresh start that doubles as a reunion with Team USA hero Jack Hughes — who Hellebuyck watched score the game-winning goal in Milan from the other end of the ice.
Hellebuyck will also have a chance to fix perhaps the Devils’ most glaring weakness and help them have a chance to finally make a deep postseason run with a core that includes Hughes, Nico Hischier, Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt.
“It aligns perfectly with where I’m at in my career,” Hellebuyck said. “I’m here to win, and the only thing I’ve got left on my résumé is a Stanley Cup. So seeing that these guys have kinda got their vision tight on that as well, it’s just gonna fit perfectly.”