Connor Hellebuyck informs fans when he'll be ready for action

It's been a whirlwind few days for Connor Hellebuyck. After refusing to report to Winnipeg's training camp, sitting through a 10-game suspension, and then getting shipped to New Jersey on the very day that suspension expired, the three-time Vezina Trophy winner finally got back on the ice with his new teammates on Monday. And if you were wondering how long it might take before he's between the pipes for the Devils, well, the man himself has a pretty clear answer.

When asked about his timeline for getting into game action, Hellebuyck didn't mince words: "If you're asking me, I'm ready today. But I don't make every decision around here." That's the kind of confidence you want to hear from a guy who just cost your team Dawson Mercer, Nick Bjugstad, Alexander Command, Nico Daws, a 2029 second-rounder, and a 2027 seventh-round pick.

Hellebuyck's Path Back to Game Action

Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe indicated that Hellebuyck intends to suit up at some point during the team's upcoming road trip, though there are still several checkboxes that need to be ticked before the organization gives him the green light. New Jersey has games against Dallas on Tuesday, Colorado on Wednesday, and Vegas on Friday, so there are options on the table.

Hellebuyck was clearly thrilled to be skating again after what has been a prolonged absence from competitive hockey. He described his first practice with the Devils as fun and said he had been looking forward to this moment for a while. Getting acclimated to a new group of teammates and just being out on the ice again seemed to energize the 33-year-old netminder. He admitted the hardest part of the whole ordeal was wanting to play and not being able to, and now he's just eager to get back to doing what he does best.

Of course, there are legitimate questions about whether Hellebuyck might be rusty coming out of the gate. He's joining the team a full month into the 2026-27 season with zero game action under his belt. His only on-ice work prior to the trade came in private training sessions. Some analysts have drawn comparisons to Jeremy Swayman's rough 2024-25 campaign in Boston following his own contract dispute, though Swayman eventually bounced back and rediscovered his elite form.

Why the Devils Are Betting Big on Hellebuyck

Despite the rust concerns, there are reasons to believe Hellebuyck will adjust quickly. Analysts have pointed out that his minimalistic style of play works in his favor here. He's not a goaltender who relies on explosive athleticism or scrambling around his crease. He plays deep in his net, reads the game at an exceptionally high level, and understands what's coming at him. That kind of positional intelligence doesn't just disappear after a month away.

There's also the travel factor working in his favor. Moving from Winnipeg to the Metropolitan Division means significantly less flying and more bus or train trips for divisional games. That reduced wear and tear on his body could be a real benefit, especially in the early going as he works his way back to full game shape.

Hellebuyck's resume speaks for itself. He's a three-time Vezina Trophy winner, taking home the award in 2020, 2024, and 2025. He captured back-to-back William M. Jennings Trophies in 2024 and 2025. His 2024-25 campaign was arguably the best goaltending season in recent memory, going 47-12-3 with a 2.00 GAA and a .925 save percentage while winning the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player. Oh, and he backstopped the United States to their first Olympic gold medal since the Miracle on Ice at Milano Cortina 2026. Last season was admittedly a step back with a 23-23-11 record and an .895 save percentage, but the talent is clearly still there.

The Devils are banking on Hellebuyck transforming them into immediate Stanley Cup contenders. Whether he can shake off the rust and deliver on that promise starting this week remains to be seen, but if his attitude after Monday's practice is any indication, the wait won't be long.