Connor Hellebuyck finally has a new home after the Winnipeg Jets granted the three-time Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender’s trade request in a deal that sent him to the New Jersey Devils on Friday. The Devils sent center Dawson Mercer, goalie Nico Daws, prospect Alexander Command, forward Nick Bjugstad, a 2029 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-rounder to Winnipeg for Hellebuyck. The long-awaited blockbuster trade ends months of speculation, a failed bid in June to move the US Olympic gold medal-winner and 2024-25 NHL MVP, and the Jets’ suspension of Hellebuyck for failing to report to training camp in a standoff that required the involvement of the league and the NHL Players’ Association.
The 33-year-old Hellebuyck, who backstopped the US to Olympic gold at the Milan-Cortina Games in February, leaves Winnipeg after spending his entire 11-year career there. Hellebuyck joins Jack Hughes, who scored in overtime of the final to defeat Canada, with the Devils and immediately puts them closer to being Stanley Cup contenders. When training camp opened, new Devils general manager Sunny Mehta said he was very comfortable with the team’s goaltending situation.
Since then, Daws and Jake Allen have combined for an .880 save percentage, which ranks 23rd among 32 teams. It was not immediately clear how soon Hellebuyck may be ready to play for his new team. He had been skating in his home state of Michigan while trade talks were ongoing.
Hellebuyck has five seasons left on a seven-year contract with an annual salary cap hit of $8.5m. He becomes the latest high-profile American to leave Canada for the United States. In June, Ottawa dealt captain Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers, where he joined his brother Matthew.
Last December, the Vancouver Canucks traded star defenseman Quinn Hughes, a brother of Jack and teammate Luke, to the Minnesota Wild. The process to trade Hellebuyck became messy, especially after the goalie went public with his request to leave Winnipeg in September. The Jets suspended the goalie for failing to report for camp in a disciplinary move that extended into the season, with Hellebuyck not getting paid.
The length of the suspension became an issue, with the league and union determining Hellebuyck would be allowed to rejoin the Jets on Friday. Instead, a move to New Jersey materialized ahead of Winnipeg hosting the outdoor Heritage Classic this weekend. The post-Hellebuyck plans went into motion over the summer, with the Jets signing Stuart Skinner in free agency.
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