Devils coach Keefe says sitting Hellebuyck vs. Jets was GM Mehta’s decision

While there’s still confusion about why New Jersey Devils goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is not being allowed to play against his former team, at least we’re getting some clarification on who made the call.

When speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe revealed that he had little to do with the decision to withhold Hellebuyck from starting against the Winnipeg Jets, stating that the decision came from the top – general manager Sunny Mehta.

“The competitor in me, of course, wants to get Connor out there,” Keefe said. “Let’s go, let’s get at it. But Sunny made the decision he didn’t want him to be a part of this.”

The Devils were fiercely criticized when Mehta put out a statement late Sunday night, confirming that Hellebuyck wouldn’t play in Winnipeg, the first time New Jersey is playing in Manitoba since the blockbuster trade that saw the Devils send forwards Nick Bjugstad, Dawson Mercer and Alexander Command, goaltender Nico Daws, a second-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft, and a seventh-rounder in 2027 to Winnipeg.

“This has been an organizational decision for us that we’ve debated at length,” 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.”

Mehta added that Hellebuyck is going to speak to the media prior to Tuesday’s clash, per his request.

In each of his first five starts with his new team, the Commerce, Mich. native has been victorious, posting a 1.96 goals-against average, a .913 save percentage and a shutout. Surprising numbers, given that he didn’t attend training camp or play a game before the trade.

Last week, Hellebuyck posted a letter to Jets fans on his Instagram page, citing “challenging family circumstances” as one of the reasons he wanted out of Winnipeg.

Puck drop between the Devils and Jets is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.