Hellebuyck willing to face the music, but Devils say he won't play game in Winnipeg

It was supposed to be the grand, if a little awkward, return of Connor Hellebuyck to Winnipeg, but Jets fans will need to wait until another day to greet or taunt him.

The all-star goalie, who spent 11 seasons in a Jets jersey before demanding a trade this past off-season and being sent to New Jersey late last month, won't be in the crease when his Devils visit Winnipeg on Tuesday.

"I'm disappointed but I understand, you know. Selfishly I want to play, but when you're looking at the team and what's best for the team, I understand where they're coming from," Hellebuyck told reporters in a post-game scrum Sunday after a 4-0 shutout in Toronto.

"I love Winnipeg and, you know, playing there again and just facing the music and seeing the reaction, it'd be nice, but it's out of my hands. I know there's a pretty sour taste in Winnipeg. I've heard that."

The decision to sit Hellebuyck was released publicly in a statement Sunday by Devils general manager Sunny Mehta.

"This has been an organizational decision for us that we've debated at length. Connor Hellebuyck was adamant that he felt a duty to play on Tuesday in Winnipeg. However, in our estimation, playing in this game would potentially give us a reduction in our expected win probability," Mehta's statement said.

"Even though Connor isn't playing, at his request, we will co-ordinate a media availability after Tuesday's morning skate at Canada Life Centre."

New Jersey Devils GM Sunny Mehta released this statement about the team's upcoming game in Winnipeg and their decision not to put Connor Hellebuyck in net. (New Jersey Devils/X)

Hellebuyck's trade followed a prolonged and strained end to his career in Winnipeg.

When the requested trade hadn't been made before training camp