Jets and Canadiens Meet Outdoors as Winnipeg Adjusts to Life Without Hellebuyck
Winnipeg will host Montreal in the Heritage Classic on Sunday at Princess Auto Stadium, marking the Jets’ first game since sending Connor Hellebuyck to New Jersey. The Jets have gone 4-3-3 without him, with Stuart Skinner handling most of the goaltending duties. Montreal brings the most outdoor-game experience of any Canadian club, and Cole Caufield has scored 94 goals for the Canadiens since the start of 2024-25.
Winnipeg’s Friday deal sent Hellebuyck to New Jersey for Dawson Mercer, Nick Bjugstad, Nico Daws, Alexander Command and two draft choices. Bjugstad has not appeared this season following pectoral surgery, while Stuart Skinner has posted a 3-1-3 record as the Jets went 4-3-3 without their former starter.
Montreal is playing its fifth outdoor NHL game, the most among Canadian clubs, and owns a 2-2-0 record in the first four. Mike Matheson and Martin St. Louis are set for their first outdoor NHL games, while Alexandre Carrier gets another chance after an injury prevented him from playing in 2022.
The outdoor showcase could draw broad local attention and give Winnipeg fans a shared distraction while the club adjusts to a major trade. Montreal supporters may see it as a rare chance to celebrate hockey’s outdoor roots, and players unfamiliar with the setting could gain a memorable career experience. Businesses and broadcasters around Princess Auto Stadium may benefit from increased game-day activity, though the event’s wider social effect is likely temporary and community-focused.