Paul Maurice defends Winnipeg as a place to play after Hellebuyck saga

Paul Maurice does not see Winnipeg as a place players are desperate to leave, even after Connor Hellebuyck's exit.

The Florida Panthers coach, in Winnipeg to face his former team on Tuesday, was asked about Hellebuyck's trade demand and the deal that sent the goaltender to the New Jersey Devils, Sportsnet reported. Maurice, who coached the Jets from 2014 to 2021, said the players he knows in Winnipeg's dressing room enjoy playing there, and he held up captain Adam Lowry as an example.

Maurice argued that losing a prominent player is not a problem unique to Winnipeg; it happens everywhere and simply hits harder for the city that goes through it. He added that support for a team rises and falls with its results, said he does not believe the Jets are far from contention, and encouraged fans to appreciate the players still on the roster.

Maurice was Hellebuyck's coach when the goaltender broke into the NHL in 2015. Hellebuyck revealed on Aug. 27 that he had asked for a trade, and the Jets suspended him when he did not report to training camp. Winnipeg traded him to New Jersey on Friday, Oct. 23, NHL.com reported.

Hellebuyck is scheduled to make his Devils debut in Dallas on Tuesday, Devils coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed, while the Panthers visit the Jets at Canada Life Centre the same night.