Connor Hellebuyck's Winnipeg Return Fuels Jets Drama

They didn't help themselves, right? I mean, the GM issued this statement about why Hellebuck wasn't going to play by saying that if he played in this game, it would potentially give us a reduction in our expected win probability. After the game, the Jets tweeted out expected win probability 100%. So I am all in on pettiness, and I'm all in on this. The quote made absolutely no sense from the Devils, and I'm with you. And Hellebuck was mad. He wanted to play. They would not let him play last night. He was dressed in case it, but Jake Allen had lost his two previous trips to, to, to Winnipeg. The devils are now. Oh, and six in their last six trips up there. So that, I think that was kind of a punt on that game and say, Hey, we got to play the capitals here on a back-to-back and a home to home here in a second. So we want Hellebuck for that. Jake Allen, you're the lamb to go out there and get slaughtered by this, these jets fans that are out there. But what'd you make of the post game comments? From Connor Hellebuck, because I know fandom can go to a new level. And you mentioned Jets are on the second level. Hellebuck talked about the fact that he found himself in a position where as a father and as a husband. He had to leave Winnipeg because of things that were happening to his family, saying there were numerous things that crossed the lines. As a husband and a father, I felt I made that decision very certain to leave Winnipeg. Is this an overly sensitive guy, or do you think there actually is something to it here in Winnipeg where it's a big fish, a really big fish, and kind of a smaller pond, and the fans cross lines? I think it's everything you said encompassed. Maybe his kids got beat up at school because his dad was ripping on them, right? He plays for USA against Canada, Winnipeg, or hardcore people. And he wins the gold. All he had to say in the comments, though, is my wife has been getting threats from people. My kids are getting bullied at school. He kept it so vague. Yeah. You don't know the problem. That's what the problem is with politicians. Just tell the truth once in a while. Don't keep things vague. And that pissed off people more. But I'm so glad Mercer, all those guys who came over in the deal, They were awesome in that game. And I find this hilarious. So the Jets are the worst team going with all that negativity. They lose nine in a row. What do you win now? Five in a row? Yeah. Four in a row now, yeah. Yeah, four in a row. Look what happens when you have cancers and problems in the dressing room and not. I played on teams that we were so much better than everybody and lost. I played on teams that were junk and we loved each other and we overachieved like mad. Like, you know what I mean? It's one of those sports we talk about a little bit of luck, but also if you're friends and you don't have cliques, good things happen when you get along. And I'll tell you, I thought the situation was handled horribly by them. They'll do well in New Jersey, but the people of Winnipeg deserve better. And I think it's crap on their organization not to let them start in that game. He needs to start kind of like, here I am, guys. Let's rock. Yeah, I'm with you. And I think he knew that, too. That's why he talked to the media. I'll give him credit for standing there and answering questions. But I think you are right about the vagueness of the comments, not talking about specific issues. He said it wasn't just one thing. Like he said, you know, it's not one singular moment that wasn't important in all of the decision making, meaning kind of like it was a whole multitude of things. But that causes people to really start to go, wait. What are you talking about? Like exactly online, in person, like you mentioned the kids at school, the wife at the supermarket, like what exactly are you talking about that caused you to say, I got to leave. And you held out. You said, I'm not coming to camp. I'm not showing up. You must trade me. And you held the organization over a barrel to start the year. And there could be problems going into the season. I will say, I will say one thing though. I will say one thing a little bit in the defense, but I still think the situation sucks. In Toronto, you can go to the show, the Raptors, da-da-da-da-da. So you know what? If something like this happened in Toronto, it'd be, you know, a little bit, it'd be, you know, uncomfortable. But when these things happen in Winnipeg, Matt, or in Montreal, it's everything. These people would lose body parts for Stanley Cups. You think Bill's fans are going to lose body parts? You come to Canada and talk to a Winnipeg and Montreal fan. They're different. Like, I have this guy at a bar we drink at. The guy, Leafs suck, Leafs suck, Leafs suck. Don't you say anything but Leafs suck? Like these guys, I don't even know if he has a wife, children. Like all he cares about is Montreal Canadiens hockey. It's nuts.