Jets coach Arniel disappointed Hellebuyck won’t face former team in Winnipeg

WINNIPEG — Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel says he’s disappointed Connor Hellebuyck won’t face his former team Tuesday night, arguing the decision only prolongs a difficult chapter for the organization.

The New Jersey Devils announced the decision after Hellebuyck made 23 saves in Sunday’s 4-0 shutout win over Toronto, saying their analysis showed they had a better chance of winning Tuesday with another goaltender.

“Yeah, disappointed,” Arniel said after Monday’s practice. “I’ve seen a lot of analytics in my life. And since it’s really come into the forefront, I’m not sure how this works into the analytics part of it.”

Hellebuyck spent 11 seasons with the Jets, winning three Vezina Trophies and the 2024-25 Hart Trophy as league MVP, before demanding a trade. Winnipeg dealt him to New Jersey on Oct. 23 for a package that included forward Dawson Mercer, goaltender Nico Daws and a second-round draft pick.

Arniel says he had hoped the game would bring closure for the organization, players and fans after months of uncertainty surrounding the star goaltender’s departure.

“I mean, he just gave up on us,” Arniel said. “And so it’ll be nice to just finally be done with this.”

Arniel says Hellebuyck’s absence only pushes the issue down the road, with the Jets scheduled to visit New Jersey later this month.

Jets captain Adam Lowry admitted he was surprised by the decision and would have preferred to face his former teammate.

“Oh, I would have loved to play against him. I think, you know, that we’d all be lying if we said we weren’t looking forward to the opportunity,” he said.

Lowry says there was plenty of anticipation among Jets fans, who were looking forward to either thanking Hellebuyck or expressing their displeasure over his departure.

“They’ll just have to wait a little bit,” he said.

The 33-year-old Hellebuyck says he wanted to face his former team but understands the Devils’ decision. He plans to explain his reasons for leaving Winnipeg when he speaks to reporters Tuesday.

Arniel says he feels for Jets fans who were looking forward to Hellebuyck’s return, but his team’s focus must remain on beating New Jersey.

“We still have to beat the New Jersey Devils, and that’s the single biggest thing,” he said. “They’re a real good team right now, and we’re going to have to make sure that we do everything we possibly can. It would have been great to beat him if he was in net, but he’s not. “

The Jets have won three straight games, while the Devils have won nine of their last 10.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 9, 2026.

The Canadian Press