Craig Carton defends Devils' decision to sit Connor Hellebuyck for his return to Winnipeg

Team USA hero and New Jersey Devils goalie (still feels odd to say that) Connor Hellebuyck made his highly anticipated return to Winnipeg on Tuesday night, only he wasn't in net.

The move was controversial to say the least, with the Devils GM saying the former Jet wouldn't start because, for some reason, playing a three-time Vezina Trophy winner and former league MVP reduced the team's winning probability.

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However, OutKick's Craig Carton said on Wednesday's edition of "The Craig Carton Show" that the team did the right thing by keeping their star netminder off the ice.

Connor Hellebuyck No. 37 of the New Jersey Devils stretches during warm-ups against the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre on Nov. 10, 2026, in Winnipeg, Canada. (Getty Images)

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"I am not a fan of hockey, but I am a fan of my country; F— you, Winnipeg," Carton said. "American hero Connor Hellebuyck — one of the great goalies on the planet today — received death threats while playing in Winnipeg."

He talked about how this led to Hellebuyck requesting a trade.

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This sign was easily the warmest welcome Connor Hellebuyck got in his return to Winnipeg. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images)

"It was so bad for the American hero that is Connor Hellebuyck that he had to ask for a trade out of Winnipeg," he said. "Not because he didn't like playing for the organization. He loved that organization. He bled for that organization. He sweated for that organization. He cried for that organization. And merely because he bested the Canadian national team. They threatened to kill him. They threatened his wife. They threatened his beautiful children. They even threatened his dog. Animals, they are, in Canada.

"That's why tariffs should be in place again against those scoundrels in Canada. Screw em. And then he gets traded to the New Jersey Devils. And life is good for Connor."

Well, it wasn't until that return to Manitoba. Hellebuyck was booed during warmups and was on the receiving end of taunts all night despite not being on the ice.

Team USA goalie Connor Hellebuyck (37) victorious with gold medal vs Team Canada during the Men's Gold Medal Game at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, Milan, Italy. (Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

"Under an abundance of caution, the New Jersey Devils did the safe and right thing, even if it wasn't the manly thing hockey players would want them to do," he said. "They protected an American icon from a lunatic in Winnipeg who might think they're doing what's right for their country by taking out the great American goaltender."

The Devils and Jets will meet again later this month, only it will be back in New Jersey.

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"I want to say this to you, Connor Hellebuyck: I, Craig Carton, as a proud American, fully support you[1]. I may not like hockey, but I'm going to start watching it when you decide to start playing again," he said. "Connor Hellebuyck is an American icon and an American hero, and he should be treated as such."