Insider Blasts Devils GM Over Connor Hellebuyck Statement

Tuesday, November 10, 2026 ,
Nick Kypreos isn’t buying the New Jersey Devils’ explanation for keeping Connor Hellebuyck out of the net in his return to Winnipeg, and the Sportsnet analyst made that very clear on Real Kyper & Bourne.

Devils GM Sunny Mehta announced Sunday night that Hellebuyck wouldn’t start Tuesday’s game against the Jets. Mehta said in a statement that the goalie “playing in this game would potentially give us a reduction in our expected win probability.”

Kypreos took direct aim at that reasoning.

“I understand Sunny is new and a new wave, but to hang this on analytics to me completely embarrasses our game,” Kypreos said.

“You don’t understand our culture of our game when you put that press release out there and expect us, especially Canadians, to believe it. You are insulting our intelligence with that press release.”

Kypreos Not Alone In Criticism

Kypreos, who won a Stanley Cup with the Rangers in 1994, kept going, arguing that the decision went against how hockey players are expected to handle a return to their old building.

“Our culture in hockey is we show up,” he said. “We don’t hide, and we don’t lie, and we don’t make stupid, insulting comments that insults our intelligence.”

He’s far from the only one upset. Jets coach Scott Arniel called the decision a disappointment, saying a Hellebuyck start would have finally given everyone some closure.

“We’ve seen some other players go back to their buildings and do it and get it over and done with,” Arniel said. “I know it’s their decision and they can do whatever they want, but I think that it would put closure (to the situation). This doesn’t.”

Arniel also questioned the analytics angle, saying, “I’m not sure how this works into the analytics part of it.” And he noted the story will come right back when the teams meet again nine games from now.

Hellebuyck Wanted To Play

The strangest part is that everyone involved agrees Hellebuyck wanted to start. Mehta’s own statement said the goalie “was adamant that he felt a duty to play on Tuesday in Winnipeg.”

“I’m on a new team, I’m 14 days into a new team and they handle their business differently than I’m used to,” Hellebuyck said Monday. “I want to play and I had a good conversation with the coach and Sunny, and I left that conversation understanding where they’re at and why they’re making their decision and I respect it.”

Devils coach Sheldon Keefe gave a more traditional explanation. Sunday was Hellebuyck’s third start in six nights, he missed all of training camp, and the team plans to start him in both games of the upcoming home-and-home with Washington.

Keefe also made it clear whose call it was. “The competitor in me, of course, wants to get Connor out there. Let’s go. Let’s get at it,” he said. “But Sunny made the decision he didn’t want [Hellebuyck] to be a part of this.”

The decision is even harder to explain given how well Hellebuyck has played. The three-time Vezina winner is 5-0-0 with a 1.96 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage since the Jets traded him to New Jersey on October 23, and he had a 23-save shutout in Toronto on Sunday.

Social Media Feature Preview
Go To: NFL Rumors | NBA Rumors | MLB Rumors