Try explaining “reduction in expected win probability” to angry fans of the Winnipeg Jets who won’t get their piece of Connor Hellebuyck on Tuesday.
asserted
who → try → Tuesday
A few moments before the New Jersey Devils’ dressing room opened following Hellebuyck’s Sunday night 4-0 shutout of the Leafs, general manager Sunny Mehta issued a statement that the Jets’ goaltender would not play in Manitoba on Tuesday.
asserted
goaltender → open → Tuesday
“Connor was adamant that he felt a duty to play,” Mehta said.
asserted
Mehta → feel → duty
“However, in our estimation, playing in this game would potentially give us a reduction in our expected win probability.”
asserted
playing → play → probability
Coach Sheldon Keefe would later translate that to wanting Hellebuyck ready to play a potential home and home against divisional rival Washington next Thursday and Saturday.
asserted
Hellebuyck → translate → Washington
But among the most upset by the decision was indeed Hellebuyck himself, the three-time Vezina Trophy winner having taken heat for his holdout to force a trade.
asserted
Hellebuyck → upset → trade
How did Hellebuyck react?
asserted
Hellebuyck → react → ?
“I’m disappointed,” he said.
asserted
he → ’m → ?
“I love playing in Winnipeg.
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I → play → Winnipeg
Just facing the music and seeing the reaction, it would be nice.
asserted
it → face → reaction
But it’s out of my hands.
asserted
it → ’ → hands
Selfishly, I want to play, but I understand where (the Devils) are coming from.
asserted
Devils → want → where
I’m looking at what’s best for the team.
asserted
what → look → team
“They told me their thoughts.
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They → tell → thoughts
I can only push so hard.”
asserted
I → push → ?
Hellebuyck did get a concession from the club to let him address the Winnipeg media Tuesday morning before he backs up Jake Allen.
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he → get → Allen
But kicking this decision down the road until next season (the Devils only play Western teams on the road once) really doesn’t make the story go away; it will drag on for another year.
asserted
it → kick → year
Mehta, a first-year GM, is an analytics enthusiast, but his terminology in the statement is likely to turn up the heat from Jets fans.
asserted
terminology → turn → fans
They’ll make their feelings known anyway when Hellebuyck comes out for warmups — or gets the traditional returning player’s tribute video.
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Hellebuyck → make → video
NHLers who’ve endured unpopular returns in a game to their old teams and lived to tell the tale include Maple Leaf captain John Tavares to Long Island and, a few weeks ago, Brady Tkachuk to Ottawa in Florida Panthers colours.
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who → endure → colours
What does coach Sheldon Keefe think?
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Keefe → think → What
Keefe said it was important to make it clear to Hellebuyck before anyone else why the team was pulling the plug.
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team → say → plug
“In his words, he felt it was his duty to play and all of that.
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it → feel → that
“So, I understand the sensitivity to the situation and the hyper-focus on that game as the Jets fans would, understandably.
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fans → understand → game
From our perspective, when you zoom out, this is a goaltender who is not going to play every single night of the season and you’re always looking to give him some time off.
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you → zoom → time
The schedule falling as it does (Tuesday) made sense.”
asserted
it → fall → sense
Keefe did say the anticipated negative reaction was also considered a factor in Mehta’s move.
asserted
reaction → say → move
“But it’s already a stressful situation because of the workload, four games in eight days.”
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it → ’ → days
The Michigan-born Hellebuyck played 11 seasons in Winnipeg before the October trade.
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Hellebuyck → bear → trade
Headlining the package for him were forwards Dawson Mercer and Nick Bjugstad, goalie Nico Daws, the draft rights to unsigned Swedish centre Alexander Command, a second-round pick in 2029 and seventh rounder next year.
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rights → headline → 2029
Winnipeg had won its last two games before Sunday, but faces a hard climb up the Central Division sans Hellebuyck.
asserted
Winnipeg → win → Hellebuyck
“I’m not going to project how (Jets fans) are going to be,” Hellebuyck said.
asserted
Hellebuyck → go → ?
“I know there’s a pretty sour taste.
asserted
I → know → ?
I can only speak to my cherished moments in the city.
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I → speak → city
I’ve loved every part of my career there.
asserted
I → love → career
However I’m perceived, I’m going to choose love.”
asserted
I → perceive → love
He sent an open letter to Jets fans last week, trying to explain his holdout and trade stance, mentioning that extenuating family circumstances contributed to his decision.
asserted
circumstances → send → decision
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