Jets make a big move today for game against Hellebuyck and the Devils

This just in, the Winnipeg Jets have activated star defenseman Josh Morrissey for tonight's game against the New Jersey Devils.

Morrissey, the Jets' #1 blueliner, has been out of the lineup since October 7th.

Read below for our earlier report on Connor Hellebuyck's return to Winnipeg this evening.

New Jersey Devils goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is finally back in Winnipeg for the Devils' game against the Winnipeg Jets this evening, a game that Hellebuyck will NOT be playing in.

Regardless, Hellebuyck met with the media this morning where he laid out his reasons for demanding a trade out of Winnipeg... kinda.

Hellebuyck made no real definitive statements, alluding only to vague "online threats" made against him and his family online. He maintained that fans, media and former teammates need to respect his need for privacy.

“There was some moments and some things that happened to my family that for me crossed the line … There were a few moments that I don’t want to see happen again. It’s more than just online death threats and I’m gonna ask you to respect my privacy and my family’s privacy, I won’t go deeper than that, but there’s more that made me and my family uncomfortable. On top of some uncertainty with my career, I felt a change of scenery was best.”

I've got to say... if he was looking to get "online threats" out of his life, he went about things the wrong way. All you need to see evidence of this is to look at the comments under any Hellebuyck post on social media. It's full of hateful comments wishing a pox on Hellebuyck and his family.

Here's my take: This guy doesn't get it and it's clear that he won't ever get it.

Jets fans weren't mad that he won the gold medal for Team USA. What they were mad at was the fact that he allowed himself to be used as a political pawn for Donald Trump at the height of tensions between Canada and USA. Trump was literally threatening the sovereignty of the country that Hellebuyck and his family lived in and Hellebuyck himself didn't really see what was wrong with posing for happy photos with the Commander in Chief.

“I know the sensitivity of what’s going on between the US and Canada. I’ve never gotten into politics deep with anyone because I’m a hockey player and I play hockey. I can only speak to the things that I do every day … I loved playing in Canada.”

Again, he doesn't get it.

For comparison, Kyle Connor, who played on both Team USA and the Jets with Hellebuyck told the media that he received no threats from fans.

Gee... maybe because he wasn't chumming it up with President Trump like Hellebuyck was... go figure.

The media pressed him for more clarity, but all Hellebuyck would offer up was, “I needed to be a good husband and good father, and do what’s best for my family and my career.”

What began as an offseason trade request ultimately turned into one of the ugliest departures in recent Jets history. Hellebuyck revealed on August 27 that he had asked the organization for a trade, bringing an unexpected end to what had been an incredibly successful 11-year relationship with the franchise. The situation escalated when Hellebuyck failed to report to training camp on September 16, resulting in a team-imposed suspension.

After weeks of uncertainty and speculation, the Jets finally dealt the three-time Vezina Trophy winner to the New Jersey Devils on October 23, receiving Dawson Mercer, Nico Daws, Nick Bjugstad and draft picks in return. Hellebuyck immediately joined his new club and got off to a perfect 5-0 start, quickly putting his Winnipeg controversy behind him on the ice.

The controversy, of course, has followed him into his return to Winnipeg today, and has ramped up with New Jersey's decision to keep Hellebuyck out of the lineup, with Jake Allen getting the start against the Jets tonight. Hellebuyck had reportedly pushed to play, believing he owed it to the Winnipeg fans to face his former team. Instead, he returned to Canada Life Centre to face the media and finally address the circumstances surrounding his departure, bringing some long-awaited answers to a saga that has dominated headlines since the summer.