"Coward": Turns Out That Not Starting Connor Hellebuyck In Net Wasn't Going To Stop Winnipeg Jets Fans From Going Ballistic On Him
Jonathan Kozub. Getty Images.The New Jersey Devils cannot be considered a serious organization after what transpired over the last few days. This team preemptively put out a statement nearly 48 hours ahead of time to announce to the world that Connor Hellebuyck would not be starting in his return to Winnipeg. The reason? Some bullshit nonsense about an $8.5M goalie giving them a worse "expected win probability" if he was between the pipes last night.
The real reason is obviously that Connor Hellebuyck didn't want to face the music. The Devils didn't want Hellebuyck to go through what guys like Brady Tkachuk had to go through in Ottawa, and Quinn Hughes had to go through in Vancouver.
But sometimes when you choose not to face the music, it just makes the music even louder and unavoidable. Which is precisely what we got last night from the fans in Winnipeg.
Out of everything that has been hurled at guys like Brady Tkachuk, Quinn Hughes, and now Connor Hellebuyck, I'd say the "coward" chant is by far the worst. Because it's the truth the cuts the deepest. Ottawa fans can laugh and giggle about Brady Tkachuk eating crayons. They can have fun with chants about Brady not being able to read. Vancouver fans can try to convince themselves that they don't need Quinn Hughes. But those are all lies. The "coward" chant? Well the New Jersey Devils loaded that one up on a platter for Winnipeg fans once they decided Hellebuyck wouldn't be getting the start.
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Even the signs alone were
Cameron Bartlett. Getty Images."Playoff Pylon". ".886" is a great sign but I don't know why they'd pick the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs when Hellebuyck had a lower save percentage in the 2024 playoffs (.870) and it was the same year he won a Vezina. If anything, that was the most egregious playoff performance, but the point still remains valid. "Softer Than Charmin" always plays. And then just "child" and "coward" cut so deep.
But the greatest chirp of them all last night? Well that came from the social admin after the Jets wrapped up a 4-2 win.
That's a proper dunk. Tough scene last night for the New Jersey Devils. You never want to see anything like that to happen to such a shitty organization.