​Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn ImagesConnor Hellebuyck is not waiting for permission to start playing again. The veteran goaltender told reporters on Monday that he feels ready to go right now, even though he has not played a game this season. His first appearance in New Jersey comes Tuesday night versus the Dallas Stars, occurring merely four days after a trade from Winnipeg concluded a months-long standoff. Training Hard While Sitting OutMany athletes let their skills fade when they are stuck on the sidelines, but Hellebuyck did not take that route. ESPN reports that he practiced five to six days weekly in Michigan while suspended. Robby Fabbri and Antonio Stranges, both free agent forwards, trained with him, and he approached these sessions with the same intensity as a full NHL camp. He noted that the goalposts were not drilled into the ice like they are for real games, and both forwards shot left-handed, which limited his practice options. Yet he kept working. He said, “If you’re asking me, I’m ready today,” Hellebuyck said Monday. “But I don’t make every decision around here.”The trade that brought him to New Jersey cost the Devils a significant package. The team sent forward Dawson Mercer, goaltender Nico Daws, prospect Alexander Command, and two draft picks to Winnipeg. This move marks the biggest play yet for first-year general manager Sunny Mehta. Mehta was hired this summer after working with the Florida Panthers. The Devils currently sit at 7-4-0 and are riding a three-game win streak into this road trip.Getting Used to the Traffic AgainAfter spending 11 years with the Winnipeg Jets, Hellebuyck knows the league well, but he still has work to do on his timing. Winnipeg signed him in 2023 to a seven-year contract, and he is currently in the third year of that deal. During that time, he forfeited more than $900,000 in salary because he did not report to training camp. Now he must relearn how to handle screens and rebounds in a new system. “The important part is seeing some screens and reacting to some rebounds, and getting a feel for some righties,” said Hellebuyck.His last start came on April 13 against the Vegas Golden Knights, where he allowed six goals on 38 shots. The Dallas Stars head into Tuesday after winning their last five games. Hellebuyck has a mixed history against Dallas, holding a 14-12-6 record in 32 career meetings. However, his last seven matchups with the Stars have been rough, with just one win and a 3.20 goals-against average. Despite these stats, the mood is positive. “I’m just really excited to play hockey again,” Hellebuyck said. “That was the hardest part about all of this, wanting to go back and not being able to.”A Fresh Start for the DevilsNew Jersey has only one other goalie on the roster, veteran Jake Allen. This means Hellebuyck’s arrival immediately changes the team’s dynamic. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner and Olympic gold medalist brings a proven track record to a young squ