10/23/2026 12:01:00
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10/23 11:59 CDT Devils acquire U.S. Olympic goalie Connor Hellebuyck in a trade
with the Jets
Devils acquire U.S. Olympic goalie Connor Hellebuyck in a trade with the Jets
By JOHN WAWROW and STEPHEN WHYNO
AP Hockey Writers
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 to
move the U.S. Olympic gold medal-winner and 2024-25 NHL MVP in June, 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 Players'
Association.
The 33-year-old Hellebuyck, who backstopped the U.S. 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 a Stanley Cup contender.
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 combined for an .880 save percentage, which ranks 23rd among 32
teams.
It was not immediately clear how soon Hellebuyck might be ready to play for his
new team. He has been skating in his home state of Michigan while trade talks
were ongoing.
Hellebuyck has five seasons left on a seven-year contact with an annual salary
cap hit of $8.5 million.
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. In December, the Vancouver Canucks traded
star defenseman Quinn Hughes, a brother of Jake 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 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, signing Stuart
Skinner in free agency. The Jets claimed Clay Stevenson off waivers before the
season began, and their combined .907 save percentage is seventh-best in the
NHL.
The Jets were second-guessed for not dealing Hellebuyck in June, when teams had
more options to prioritize salary cap space to make room to acquire the goalie.
The Sabres were among the teams expressing interest in Hellebuyck, and were
preparing to package a deal that included swapping first-round draft picks ---
Buffalo had the No. 4 selection, and Winnipeg had the eighth.
The challenge for Winnipeg became finding a willing trade partner to acquire a
goalie with a high price tag and a lengthy contract well after most teams had
set their rosters and had little salary cap space to work with. Another
question mark involved Hellebuyck's age and track record of following
regular-season success with a spotty playoff record.
After Hellebuyck went 9-8 in leading the Jets to the Western Conference finals
in his playoff debut in 2018, he has gone 15-26 since since, with the Jets
advancing to the second round just twice in their next six playoff appearances.
In four first-round exits, Hellebuyck had a combined 5-15 record.
The disparity of regular season vs. postseason success was evident in 2024-25.
Leading Winnipeg to the Presidents' Trophy and winning the Hart Trophy as MVP,
Hellebuyck recorded a career-best 47 wins, then went 6-7 in the playoffs as the
Jets were eliminated in Dallas in the second round.
With a 345-208-55 regular-season record, Hellebuyck ranks 27th in career wins
on the NHL list, and fifth among U.S.-born players. Among U.S.-born goalies
with 300 or more career starts, his .916 save percentage ranks fourth and 2.58
goals-against average ranks sixth.
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