The New Jersey Devils have acquired star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets in a blockbuster NHL trade, bringing an end to the three-time Vezina Trophy winner’s 11-season run with the franchise.
The deal was completed Friday, the same day Hellebuyck’s suspension from Winnipeg was scheduled to end after he requested a trade during the offseason and did not report to training camp.
In return, the Jets received forward Dawson Mercer, goaltender Nico Daws, veteran forward Nick Bjugstad, the rights to unsigned 2026 first-round draft pick Alexander Command, a second-round selection in the 2029 NHL Draft and a seventh-round pick in the 2027 draft.
Hellebuyck is expected to become a major addition for a New Jersey team looking to strengthen its goaltending and improve its chances of competing for the Stanley Cup.
Devils Land One of the NHL’s Elite Goaltenders
Hellebuyck arrives in New Jersey with an impressive résumé. He has won the Vezina Trophy three times, recognizing the NHL’s top goaltender, and captured the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s most valuable player in the 2024-25 season.
During that campaign, he helped Winnipeg win the Presidents’ Trophy as the NHL’s best regular-season team. Hellebuyck finished with a 47-12-3 record, a 2.00 goals-against average, a .925 save percentage and eight shutouts across 63 games.
He also became the eighth goaltender in NHL history to win both the Hart and Vezina trophies.
Hellebuyck added another major achievement in February 2026, helping Team USA win gold at the Winter Olympics. He went 5-0 with a 1.18 goals-against average and a .956 save percentage in five starts during the tournament.
Although his individual performances remained a major part of Winnipeg’s success, the Jets missed the playoffs last season. They finished seventh in the Central Division, eight points behind the Los Angeles Kings for the Western Conference’s second wild-card position.
Hellebuyck recorded a 23-23-11 record, a 2.86 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage in 57 starts. His save percentage was the lowest of his 11 NHL seasons, and he failed to record a shutout for the first time in his career.
Despite that difficult season, his overall track record makes him a significant acquisition for the Devils.
Why Hellebuyck Wanted Out of Winnipeg
Hellebuyck’s departure followed an offseason trade request that became public before the start of training camp.
The 33-year-old was entering the third season of a seven-year, $59.5 million contract signed with Winnipeg in October 2023. The deal carries an average annual value of $8.5 million.
After his trade request, Hellebuyck did not report to camp and was suspended by the Jets beginning September 16.
New Jersey general manager Sunny Mehta said discussions with Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff accelerated quickly during the final days of negotiations.
Mehta described the transaction as an exciting moment for the Devils organization and said the process moved from renewed discussions to a completed deal in less than two days.
Hellebuyck also expressed enthusiasm about joining his new team.
“I'm just really excited for hockey again,” Hellebuyck said after arriving at Prudential Center. He added that he was joining a skilled group and looked forward to contributing both on the ice and in the locker room.
The trade gives Hellebuyck a fresh opportunity while allowing Winnipeg to reshape its roster with multiple players and future draft assets.
What the Jets Receive in the Trade
Winnipeg acquired a mix of established NHL talent, goaltending depth and future draft capital.
Dawson Mercer is the most prominent player included in the return. The 24-year-old center has established himself as a reliable offensive contributor since the Devils selected him 18th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft.
Mercer has scored at least 20 goals in three of his first five NHL seasons. Last season, he recorded 42 points, including 20 goals and 22 assists, across 82 games. He entered the trade with four assists in 10 games this season.
Across 420 NHL games, Mercer has accumulated 213 points, with 103 goals and 110 assists. He has also maintained an impressive record of durability, not missing a game during his six NHL seasons.
Nico Daws provides Winnipeg with another goaltending option. The 25-year-old was selected in the third round of the 2020 draft and has appeared in 59 NHL games over five seasons. He owns a 26-26-1 record, a 2.94 goals-against average, a .897 save percentage and one shutout.
Nick Bjugstad brings experience and size to the Jets' forward group. The 34-year-old has played 821 NHL games across 14 seasons, recording 339 points with 163 goals and 176 assists. He has not played this season because of an upper-body injury.
Winnipeg also receives the rights to Alexander Command, whom New Jersey selected 12th overall in the 2026 NHL Draft. Command has produced offensively in Sweden's junior competition but has yet to record a point in six games at the Swedish Hockey League level, according to the supplied statistics.
The draft selections give Winnipeg additional flexibility as it plans for the future.
Can the Devils Fix Their Goaltending Problems?
New Jersey's goaltending performance was a major factor in the decision to acquire Hellebuyck.
Before the trade, the Devils were relying on Jake Allen and Daws. Allen had posted a 4-2-0 record with a 3.15 goals-against average and a .883 save percentage in six starts. Daws was 2-2-0 with a 2.78 goals-against average and a .872 save percentage in four games.
The team's combined .876 save percentage was tied with the Anaheim Ducks for 23rd in the NHL entering Saturday.
Hellebuyck offers a proven alternative. His career résumé includes elite regular-season performances, major individual awards and experience in high-pressure international competition.
However, the Devils have not announced a confirmed timetable for his debut. Hellebuyck said he had been skating extensively in Michigan and felt physically prepared, but acknowledged that returning to the pace of NHL practices would be an important step.
He expected the transition to happen relatively quickly, although his first appearance would depend on his readiness and the team's plans.
New Jersey is scheduled to visit Winnipeg on November 10, creating the possibility of an emotionally charged reunion if Hellebuyck is ready to play by then.
Winnipeg Moves Forward Without Its Franchise Goalie
The Jets have already been playing without Hellebuyck during the opening stretch of the season.
Winnipeg entered the trade with a 4-3-3 record. Stuart Skinner, who signed a two-year, $7.5 million contract in July, had posted a 3-1-3 record with a 2.67 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage in seven starts.
Clay Stevenson, claimed off waivers from the Washington Capitals in late September, had recorded a 1-2-0 record with a 3.08 goals-against average and a .893 save percentage in three starts.
The Jets will now need to determine whether their current goaltending group can provide consistent performances while the incoming players adjust to their new environment.
Hellebuyck leaves Winnipeg as the franchise's all-time leader in games played by a goaltender, starts, wins and shutouts. He recorded 625 games played, 615 starts, 345 wins and 45 shutouts for the Jets and the former Atlanta Thrashers franchise.
His .916 career save percentage and 2.58 goals-against average also rank as the franchise's best among goaltenders with at least 80 games played.
Those numbers underline the significance of his departure. Winnipeg is losing not simply a starting goalie, but one of the most accomplished players in franchise history.
What the Blockbuster Trade Means for Both Teams
For New Jersey, the move represents an aggressive attempt to improve a position that had become a concern. Acquiring a three-time Vezina winner and former league MVP gives the Devils an experienced goaltender capable of changing the outlook of their season.
For Winnipeg, the decision marks the end of a long partnership and the beginning of a roster transition. Mercer offers immediate offensive potential, Daws adds goaltending depth, Bjugstad brings veteran experience, and the draft selections provide future options.
The ultimate value of the deal will depend on Hellebuyck's performance in New Jersey and how effectively the Jets turn their return into sustained success.
One thing is certain: the trade has reshaped the goaltending picture in the NHL and given both franchises a new direction to pursue.
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