Connor Hellebuyck | G | New Jersey Devils
1 GP | 1-0-0 | 1.00 GAA | .941 SV%
The Hellebuyck standoff in Winnipeg is finally over, and fantasy managers can relax. After requesting a trade, the three-time Vezina winner was suspended by the Jets for not reporting to camp, and the deal to New Jersey came on the same day he was due to rejoin the team. Now he has a new home, a clear starting job, and a team built to win.
The debut
There wasn’t much rust. Hellebuyck turned aside 16 of 17 shots in his first game as a Devil, a 5-1 win over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night. He did it with just one practice under his belt with his new club. His new coach, Sheldon Keefe, praised the outing, noting that Hellebuyck shut down the dangerous slot chances the Devils allowed. Granted, it wasn’t a heavy night. The Devils dictated play and Dallas got only 18 pucks on net. That’s exactly the point, though.
Why the fit works
Hellebuyck spent years carrying the Jets on his back. In New Jersey, he won’t have to. The captain, Hischier, had a two-goal night, both Hughes brothers got on the scoresheet, and the Devils stretched their win streak to four games to move to 8-4-0. A team that scores like that while limiting chances in front of its goalie is ideal for fantasy wins.
His workload shouldn’t be a question either. The only other goalie on the roster is Jake Allen, a dependable veteran who is better suited to spot duty than a starter’s load. If he stays healthy, Hellebuyck should get the heavy end of the starts, and volume is king for fantasy goalies.
The risk
Last season was a down year by his standards. His save percentage dipped below .900 across a heavy workload, and the Jets fell short of the playoffs. He’s also 33, and he missed all of training camp, so a bumpy stretch while he gets back to game speed wouldn’t be surprising. Still, a down year from an elite goalie is often a buying opportunity, especially when he’s moved to a better situation.
Verdict: Hellebuyck is a rock-solid fantasy starter for the rest of the season. Between the Devils’ offense, their solid defensive structure, and a clear path to a heavy workload, he has a real chance to rack up wins in bunches. If someone in your league dropped him during the holdout, grab him right away. If you already have him, start him every night and enjoy it. Expect him to finish as a top-10 fantasy goalie, with top-five upside if last season was just a blip.