McDavid welcomes Hellebuyck’s move to the Eastern Conference
The Edmonton captain and Colorado coach Jared Bednar reacted to the goaltender’s trade from Winnipeg to New Jersey.
Connor McDavid welcomed Connor Hellebuyck’s departure from the Western Conference after the Winnipeg Jets traded the goaltender to the New Jersey Devils on Friday, Oct. 23.
Speaking after Edmonton’s practice, McDavid described Hellebuyck as a goaltender capable of changing a game and said he was relieved the deal would reduce how often the Oilers face him, Sportsnet reported.
Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar also welcomed the move out of the Central Division. He told reporters he had expected a trade eventually and was comfortable with New Jersey as the destination.
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, whose name had appeared in trade speculation, told The Athletic that a completed deal could quiet some of the discussion around the league, according to Sportsnet. He acknowledged that such speculation remains part of professional sport.
The Jets and Devils confirmed the trade Friday.
