Hellebuyck Saga Deepens With Death Threats, Jets Rip Devils
The former NHL MVP said he received death threats.
The saga surrounding Devils goalie Connor Hellebuyck continued as he faced death threats and criticism from the Winnipeg Jets for his decision to sit out a recent game. Hellebuyck, a three-time Vezina Trophy winner and NHL MVP with Winnipeg, claimed there were moments during his time with the Jets that "crossed a line," and he also mentioned receiving online death threats.
President Donald Trump awarded Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom after he helped lead the U.S. men's hockey team to a gold medal win in the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. Hellebuyck stated that the decision to leave Winnipeg was complex, involving more than just the death threats, as well as uncertainty about his career.
He demanded a trade earlier this year, refused to report for training camp, and forfeited nearly $928,000 in salary. The Jets traded for Hellebuyck on October 23, and he returned to Winnipeg for the first time since then but will not play against them. The Jets cited Hellebuyck's potential to reduce their expected win probability as the reason for sitting him.
Teammate Scott Arniel criticized the Devils' decision, calling it a "disappointment," while Hellebuyck expressed respect for their decision. Ticket resale prices for the upcoming Devils-Jets game have dropped since the news of Hellebuyck's absence.
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