Connor Hellebuyck Traded to Devils as Jets End Odd Chapter

The Winnipeg Jets have finally reached a resolution with Connor Hellebuyck, trading the star goaltender to the New Jersey Devils on Friday. The deal ends an 11-season run in Winnipeg that included individual greatness, major awards and, ultimately, a very public disagreement over his future.

Hellebuyck requested a trade during the offseason and did not report to training camp, resulting in a team suspension scheduled to end Friday. Instead of returning to the Jets, the three-time Vezina Trophy winner is headed to New Jersey.

In return, Winnipeg receives forward Dawson Mercer, goaltender Nico Daws, forward Nick Bjugstad, the rights to unsigned 2026 draft pick Alexander Command, New Jersey’s second-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft and its seventh-round pick in 2027.

What the Devils Are Getting in Hellebuyck.

Hellebuyck, 33, brings an impressive résumé to New Jersey. He won the Vezina Trophy in 2019-20, 2023-24 and 2024-25, and captured the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP in 2024-25. That season, he went 47-12-3 with a 2.00 goals-against average, a .925 save percentage and eight shutouts in 63 games.

He also helped Team USA win gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics, posting a 1.18 GAA and .956 save percentage in five starts. His numbers slipped last season as Winnipeg missed the playoffs. Hellebuyck finished 23-23-11 with a 2.86 GAA and .895 save percentage, his lowest save percentage in 11 NHL seasons.

The Devils have been using a tandem of Jake Allen and Daws. Allen is 4-2-0 with a 3.15 GAA and .883 save percentage, while Daws is 2-2-0 with a 2.78 GAA and .872 save percentage. Hellebuyck gives New Jersey a proven No. 1 option, although the team has not announced when he will make his debut.

What Winnipeg Receives for Hellebuyck.

Mercer, 24, is the biggest immediate piece coming back. He has scored at least 20 goals three times in his first five NHL seasons and recorded 42 points last season. He has also never missed an NHL game. Daws, 25, has appeared in 59 NHL games. Bjugstad, 34, has not played this season because of an upper-body injury. Command, selected 12th overall by New Jersey in 2026, is producing in Sweden's junior league.

Winnipeg enters the deal with a 4-3-3 record. Stuart Skinner is 3-1-3 with a 2.67 GAA and .912 save percentage, while Clay Stevenson has gone 1-2-0. The timing is notable. The Jets host Montreal in Sunday's Heritage Classic, and Hellebuyck's former team must now prepare for the outdoor game without its longtime franchise goaltender.

New Jersey will visit Winnipeg on Nov. 10, giving the schedule a potential reunion date. Whether Hellebuyck is ready to play by then remains uncertain.