Connor Hellebuyck took his first practice in a New Jersey Devils sweater Monday, looked comfortable in the crease and made it clear he believes he could play immediately if the call comes.
“If you’re asking me, I’m ready today,” Hellebuyck said after his first skate with the club. “But I don’t make every decision around here.”
The 33-year-old goaltender joined the Devils after Friday’s trade with the Winnipeg Jets and could make his debut during New Jersey’s three-game western trip. The Devils, 7-4-0, open in Dallas against the Stars on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET before visiting the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday and the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday.
Coach Sheldon Keefe said Hellebuyck was sharp in his first full team practice, but the club still has medical and coaching matters to settle before confirming when he will dress. Hellebuyck has been skating for more than four weeks, including several weeks of informal work in Michigan after he did not attend Winnipeg’s training camp last month.
“The plan is to have him be part of this trip,” Keefe said. “We’ll need to handle it one day at a time.”
A new crease, familiar details
Hellebuyck wore a temporary Devils logo on his mask Monday and quickly showed teammates parts of the game they will need to get used to. He tracked pucks through traffic during drills, absorbed shots cleanly and was active with the puck behind his net.
That last part may help New Jersey’s defensemen exit their zone with more control. Hellebuyck is comfortable stopping rims, holding the puck and waiting for a breakout option rather than forcing a hurried pass.
“I’m the type of goalie who can hold onto it and wait for the right play,” Hellebuyck said. “I like to think that makes life a little easier for the guys. Jake Allen handles the puck well, too, so they have experience with that. It’s mainly about them knowing right away that they can rely on me back there.”
For Hellebuyck, the transition back into an NHL room is a welcome change from skating without a club.
“It was fun,” he said of the practice. “I had been looking forward to this for a long time. It felt good to settle in with a new group and enjoy being out there.”
Devils add a decorated starter
New Jersey paid a major price to bring in one of the League’s most accomplished goaltenders. The Devils sent forwards Dawson Mercer and Nick Bjugstad, goaltender Nico Daws, the rights to unsigned forward Alexander Command, a 2029 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick to Winnipeg.
Hellebuyck spent his first 11 NHL seasons with the Jets and owns the Winnipeg/Atlanta Thrashers franchise goaltending records for appearances, starts, victories and shutouts.
| Category | Hellebuyck total with Winnipeg |
|---|---|
| Games played | 625 |
| Starts | 615 |
| Wins | 345 |
| Shutouts | 45 |
He has won the Vezina Trophy three times, taking the award in 2020, 2024 and 2025. He also captured the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player for the 2024-25 season.
His résumé has not diminished the hunger teammates see in him. Forward Connor Brown said the absence of a Stanley Cup is central to what Hellebuyck brings to a Devils team that sees itself as a contender.
“The impressive thing is that he’s still driven because he hasn’t won the biggest prize in the sport,” Brown said. “For him to look at New Jersey and see that possibility here, it’s similar to how I felt when I signed here. If this group commits to playing the right way, we’re going to be a difficult team to beat. It’s exciting.”
Brown said Hellebuyck’s arrival should raise the standard in front of the net, not give the skaters license to trade defensive details for confidence in their goaltender.
“When someone of that level comes in, you want to show him our team game and our defensive game,” Brown said. “You want him to feel he made the right choice in wanting to be here.”
Hughes knows the challenge
Defenseman Luke Hughes already has a firsthand sense of how hard Hellebuyck can be to solve. Hughes skates with the goalie during offseason sessions that also include his brother, Devils center Jack Hughes, and Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes.
Those skates draw established NHL talent and have a competitive edge beyond simple summer conditioning.
“There’s probably close to a billion dollars’ worth of players out there,” Luke Hughes said. “We have so many good players, and we’re out there to improve, not just to stay in shape. Everyone is trying to get better.”
Hellebuyck is often the toughest obstacle in those sessions.
“It’s hard to score on him,” Hughes said. “We joke about how many you got against Helle that day. Usually, the answer isn’t many.”
Hughes called the newcomer a Hall of Fame-caliber goalie and said the deal has given New Jersey’s room an immediate jolt.
“We’re making a push,” Hughes said. “With our forwards, our defense and the way we’ve been playing, hopefully we keep moving ahead and growing. Everybody is excited. There’s a real buzz in the room.”
After more than a decade in Winnipeg, wearing a different NHL jersey has brought mixed emotions for Hellebuyck. Getting back into a competitive crease, though, has made the important part straightforward.
“I’m just excited to play hockey again,” he said. “Not being able to get back out there was the hardest part. I’m ready to do what I do best.”
