Jets coach Scott Arniel says Connor Hellebuyck ‘gave up on us,’ criticizes Devils’ decision to sit him in Winnipeg return: ‘All it does is drags it out ‘

Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel strongly criticized former goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, stating he "gave up on us" ahead of the New Jersey Devils' visit to Canada Life Centre. Arniel expressed frustration after the Devils decided to bench Hellebuyck for Tuesday's game, preventing Winnipeg players and fans from getting closure following Hellebuyck's contentious summer trade demand.

Devils general manager Sunny Mehta and head coach Sheldon Keefe cited workload and "expected win probability" analytics for sitting Hellebuyck, naming Jake Allen as the starter instead. Hellebuyck, who spent 11 seasons with Winnipeg, wanted to play according to Mehta. Jets captain Adam Lowry and forward Kyle Connor also expressed disappointment over missing the chance to face their former teammate.