Devils’ Connor Hellebuyck says he’s ready to play, could debut on road trip

Connor Hellebuyck is inching closer to making his debut with the New Jersey Devils.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters on Monday that the team intends to have Hellebuyck play on its upcoming three-game road trip, but he still has several boxes to tick before they make that call.

“We will take it from here and get a sense of how he feels getting through practice and getting on the flight to Dallas, and figure out the next steps," Keefe said.

Hellebuyck told reporters that he's ready to play. The goalie had been working out with former NHLers Robby Fabbri and Antonio Stranges while awaiting a trade from Winnipeg.

"I'm just really excited to play hockey again. That was the hardest part about all of this, wanting to go back and not being able to.

I'm just ready to do what I do best," he said.

New Jersey traded for the three-time Vezina Trophy winner from the Jets on Friday for prospect Alexander Command, goalie Nico Daws, forwards Dawson Mercer and Nick Bjugstad, a 2029 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick.

The Devils play a back-to-back against the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday and Wednesday, then finish their road trip against the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday.

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