# Devils announce Connor Hellebuyck will not start in return to Winnipeg

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-11-09 12:00 UTC · Category: Sports

## Executive Summary
Devils announce Connor Hellebuyck will not start in return to Winnipeg

## Intelligence Brief
According to coverage from The New York Times, NHL.com, and CBC, Connor Hellebuyck will not start in his return to Winnipeg. The New York Times reports that Hellebuyck says threats made against his family pushed him to ask out of Winnipeg. NHL.com states that Hellebuyck reflects on his Winnipeg return and explains the reasons for the change. CBC notes that Hellebuyck spoke to the media in his first return to Winnipeg since forcing a trade from the Jets.


Coverage from various outlets, including The Globe and Mail, Awful Announcing, and Yahoo Sports, emphasizes the controversy surrounding the decision to bench Hellebuyck. The Globe and Mail suggests that Hellebuyck is hiding behind the Devils' AI excuse to dodge the start against the Jets in Winnipeg. Awful Announcing describes the explanation given by the New Jersey Devils as bewildering. Yahoo Sports states that the Devils won't live down benching Hellebuyck for his Winnipeg return. NHL.com, CBC, and WRAL also provide coverage of the situation, with WRAL citing reduced win probability as the reason for the decision.


The background to this situation is that Connor Hellebuyck was a key player for the Winnipeg Jets before being traded to the New Jersey Devils. According to NHL.com, the Jets are feeling good after a turbulent stretch, with the Devils looming as their next opponent. The decision to bench Hellebuyck has significant implications, with Fox News noting that it has left NHL fans bewildered. Sportsnet.ca provides analysis on why Hellebuyck won't be facing his former team in Winnipeg. The Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2026 inductees receiving their custom rings, as reported by TSN, is a separate development in the hockey world.


As the situation unfolds, it will be important to watch how the Devils and Jets perform in their upcoming game. ESPN reports that Connor Hellebuyck won't play in his return to Winnipeg with the Devils. The New York Times states that the Devils have announced Hellebuyck will not start in his return to Winnipeg. NHL.com provides a statement from Devils GM Sunny Mehta. Further coverage from these outlets and others will likely provide more insight into the decision-making process behind benching Hellebuyck and its impact on the team's performance.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| The New York Times | Connor Hellebuyck says threats made against family pushed him to ask out of Winnipeg | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinAFBVV95cUxPcUt1TW5yeXQ1cFlVMXJuZk9pZFFCd2c5MDNyZVJyTV9FYXdoR0lTUnUwQURObV9jOGpPbEQ0Ri00TjEwQzJOZ1ViVmd3OXZYcmJFcUNETDgyRHhUdUZ4TkhQZHBDVVl1ZEM0UDVFTklzYVE1N1d6ZmZ5U2J4WjNYMzI0djJHZV9FMk83YWlIYU0xTHlPZTgtZXBCUDA?oc=5) |
| NHL.com | Hellebuyck Reflects on Winnipeg Return, Explains Reasons for Change - FEATURE | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitgFBVV95cUxOOGJXNjZqYUpZQ1UxRGlSWGdCOTFGQjhTWkduM3FwTjQ2VENZNkZHZUtaV3dCeHZ1TVpfcFBLa3l6S2Y5WVAzcUp3d2dIZmRDaUtYVzBEZXFMTFNpU0VFUkkyMDUzSWpFTWNnQTA3a19HMUxtMkpKNXNFbDl2eTVCTm1zcUswa3V2QWRXZ3JwVE9pN3FsMEtYaUs2TE45QzVXejN6S09KNkMxbUJtZmxTQl9CUjhRdw?oc=5) |
| CBC | Connor Hellebuyck speaks to media in 1st return to Winnipeg since forcing trade from Jets | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijwFBVV95cUxNRWxyWkNTU010NC1HT1FDS1dRUFVtdzRDQmM5OS1VTUJqRHdSa1M1RnpWQ05uQXpRMEV0Yi1JZlNiNngwODdJUmo0TzJkczhzUjZWSGhjcktHNndsSUE1RWcyZnNEdTJ6bGdZS05IZFhSeTlFSTFYbkFEWjFsRVA2XzEyYlJYSHRBaHpZVUJLUQ?oc=5) |
| The Globe and Mail | Hellebuyck hides behind Devils’ AI excuse to dodge start vs. Jets in Winnipeg | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitAFBVV95cUxQTnotdkdVSzV0YUhEVTRKS1hfLXBiQVF6M0cteUpuS0FzSHZlalBQdWJXcXJLZVpBeWgtN2lQMUVRS3k5NVRCRTdzdkQ5UVNGNjZhNFlUSGtVOEMxS29pUncyb3ItWUI0ZldFd1hBTmRqdXJlcTh5VkRuZ052dHEyUU52TGdfeG0xdE1CS1dvZDhiWVY5amNHajNURmRnVUZ6MjlaeEpETnZJbDlmdHBjQkp4V0w?oc=5) |
| Awful Announcing | New Jersey Devils give bewildering explanation for benching Connor Hellebuyck in Winnipeg return | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivgFBVV95cUxNMk9uX2FGN1lUOXg4OWdBRi15ZlVabXJYWVlMWnlJSTl5enpKMWxwLU1OQm1ET1JOa3RLNmdGSGg3ZzIyNDV1WmM1bkxnRHJ2WW1laWJNeTM0aDhMSlJaSXBwb2IxZWQ2ZXdvUXlXRk1KZXlabzdsNjIxbkpTbnRtLVR1aVNNRDNHa3lzUV9VMjVLLTltTGNxek4xeDV2aXAzallMSGJJbGx6RkR0bEZ1OXhZWmhqdEV3SG1sRWhB?oc=5) |
| NHL.com | "I would have loved to play against him." | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMid0FVX3lxTE5maDYxUzlNUkdGX2pwVGFRWWZQZ29tTmp1MEhUTWRQSHNrMG9sSDVFV1lLX2JGSzdhNktxeUFRUVpXY3NDdG1BSHBvWUlVc1dZdlMwemdYZ3FRNTRPVXg3QmlJSmVZa1hzcXB4c0lvd3B0SHg5TGlZ?oc=5) |
| CBC | Hellebuyck willing to face the music, but Devils say he won't play game in Winnipeg | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikgFBVV95cUxPdlI0QTNwSEQ5SXZjak4yYmdKMjZYWktTTmpKUUI0Y1dQR1FRRzBSUUp2QzJUUkJ2RXU4UWdzWFYwVnNxdjJwLURrUVpUY2lJbXAxMGNTQ1RUb0d2b05yNlpfMEoxTVgzYm9SRkFXQ1ZaeWlQMm9vY3B2azZlNE9TendyTjNoMDBsSHJjVzEwZUh1UQ?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | The Devils won’t live down benching Connor Hellebuyck for Winnipeg return | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMie0FVX3lxTE41bmgwOTgtME9ZMEFfVHFiQ0M0QjJfc1gwekhXamJZclZCcUN3VTVfczVHREgxaXZ0cXJ4LXBJLV9DOFZoUXQxMkdwRFRLUmF3MlJQaUdOSVVvU2lZTDc5VHBmUk1BSFZ0V0p4UDZ4V2R5Y2VNTWZTeVNrNA?oc=5) |
| WRAL | Devils say Hellebuyck will not face his former teammates in Winnipeg, cite reduced win probability | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMizgFBVV95cUxNcl9RcFlHcmM0VmxqVEhOSGZPUktPRTFWWUtRQVJhT3dMSmp5VjdoMlktZ01DNnVNd2kwUkJhNGtpR1BEZ01FRVNFZTZ2ckxWMHBSdUN2MXQxb3pwRGhEWlpPdjgycldmNVplbk1vUEhIZ2lmVmtNUEZ1dkczOWdGVUdsOTVBTmNaaUkyQURYcHpRcjktNkVIZlRhVjVTNUhzMzVHeTRac2RqNGlyc21raXpoN254SGU4cGM0SFU5cWpXWnpScHE4cjUtZDhnUQ?oc=5) |
| NHL.com | Jets 'feeling good' after turbulent stretch with Devils looming | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiogFBVV95cUxQTjZrLVNzMFZ4V0MwcUN6QzUtYzMzQWYxVDN3TEZidUZYbExPbTJCNXY1Y2ZYbk9HN0RqalRiT1VqZWttMlZUT3lCZlp0eHR4Rjlqc3B4V1pCa3AtOHNDc1JrejR4al9qd2N0YTNyM3pkY2pIZEtNUVQxd3RrMnVMSnNSQllhOEV5ZHlVaWVUbGFselVBSHZITWVKNlNtQVJ2YkE?oc=5) |
| Fox News | Devils to sit star goalie vs his former team over 'win probability,' leaving NHL fans bewildered | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivAFBVV95cUxNaVc1UEtzd1REMU0ycEFMTFZUNDhubDVkdVFjM3hfeXM0dnNxaldSVm5BbHBiN2FCVUFEVDZlVWxIelFkbUMyby03YkJJXy02NTRmeHR0TlNkTHJxRFBuS3YtN0tBZlVXNXZUSzZ3MHRWMW5BMXJHdXdxNWJQNmFOQVVNNzY2alR3RlhqaUpEVVVIRmFlLUE3Mk1XQTVsM2kzNGtVM1pLdzBJUnZpcV82a3NrZTREOVl3TE5sbw?oc=5) |
| TSN | Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2026 inductees receive their custom rings | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisAFBVV95cUxPTTJsZHJ5ZnZ3TFVVb2p4a3pwdXItRzJLY3M0c0xpZGtRQ1QzeTRTWkNmUGo2dTg2aUVfY3lqdWlOXy1Xd21yd1FtbUJTZ0RTNE94d3YxNk13UVgzWC1tTENBQVpjdDhRUlc4TU41dEJINmQtbXVkckVwemNGRFhXSUlrUFdLVzk5ZnVsSTBqRzRXZXdVc0wxY0E5aUpWWnVaYnhhMS1jbmh5SXpzdEl4eg?oc=5) |
| Sportsnet.ca | Why Connor Hellebuyck won’t be ‘facing the music’ in Winnipeg | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqgFBVV95cUxQQlpFN0t3YmZEWHFaSy05TnhlOXcycV9YX1otWjhkZ2dEeTR5dGJZU1JYbGtNMGh0Y2xYeUF6RjVrTXRpeWJRcm9NakhOaW5ZXzdsam1kMloyODFrNzBtcTg1UU9PZmM0U18tQ1JJUmRVVUNqNmpHeldrb0FldHJsZWNaN1EwMXB5QjE4QjFuUS1RdjNsMU5kNm9ONFJnVERoaHZWOHQxTEZSQQ?oc=5) |
| NHL.com | Statement from Devils GM Sunny Mehta | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMieEFVX3lxTE0wbE0zUGphNTJfektlbll1dTg1TmFQckltWDA1QVNPUmM5dEZCMzJFUHBYT1NHRTBVVkM5OGR4RVM5VV8zU3lPMm93RHktY2hrVVY5UXlQQlBhay1Fcy1pbEExWC1NNzdNVlJHODlubFU4WWRfY1BWbg?oc=5) |
| ESPN | Connor Hellebuyck won't play in return to Winnipeg with Devils | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilAFBVV95cUxNd0NRUzFwOXFFYXY5bHp6MzBMcVBPZ0w2eURRVFkyTV9hZU1xTERseldhUmt0c1h3YTBtRjA1algwWTNodUdNdlgzWkRzdzE3YkFKUnNTakE0MnRaMGloQTJiZnVfX09mRlRxNU9WajBwNFBONFBNeFZTUW1tZU0ycmdEWlhELXJnUTR2WG1mWWxtS0da?oc=5) |

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