Devils Officially Acquire Connor Hellebuyck From Jets

On October 23, 2026, the New Jersey Devils completed a trade to acquire goaltender Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets [1]. In exchange, the Devils sent forwards Dawson Mercer and Nick Bjugstad, the rights to unsigned forward Alexander Command, goaltender Nico Daws, New Jersey's own 2029 second round pick, and New Jersey's own 2027 seventh round pick to Winnipeg [1]. The transaction ends a standoff that began when Hellebuyck confirmed his trade request in August, which led to missed training camp time and an unpaid club suspension that was scheduled to end on Friday, October 23 [2]. Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff noted that the team explored multiple options and talked to many teams before finalizing the agreement [2]. Terms of the Deal and Contract Details Hellebuyck arrives in New Jersey at age 33 in the third year of a seven year contract worth 59.5 million dollars [1]. The contract carries an annual average value of 8.5 million dollars and runs through the 2030 to 2031 season [1]. Across his regular season career, Hellebuyck has recorded 345 wins in 625 games, compiling a .916 save percentage and a 2.58 goals against average [1]. The goaltender has not played in a game this season, and the league report says the timing of his first Devils appearance is unclear [3]. Prior to the transaction, New Jersey handled its net with a tandem featuring Jake Allen and Nico Daws [3]. While the veteran goaltender brings substantial experience to the organization, his official debut date remains unannounced by the team [3]. Assets Headed to Winnipeg Winnipeg receives a six piece package that blends active NHL roster talent with future pieces [1] [2]. Forward Dawson Mercer joins the Jets after scoring between 17 and 27 goals in each of his first five NHL seasons while playing all 82 regular season games in every campaign [2]. Goaltender Nico Daws heads to the Jets after sharing time in New Jersey [1] [3]. The remaining pieces involve specific availability factors. Winnipeg gains the draft rights to unsigned forward Alexander Command, who was selected 12th in June 2026 and posted 12 points in six junior Orebro games alongside zero points in six senior games [2] [3]. Forward Nick Bjugstad is recovering from September pectoral surgery and is not an immediately available arrival on the ice [2]. Winnipeg also gains New Jersey's own second round selection in 2029 and seventh round selection in 2027 [1]. The junior and senior Orebro totals describe separate competitions. Combining them into a single scoring rate would hide that distinction. The same caution applies to the return as a whole: current roster players, unsigned rights and future draft picks are different assets, not six interchangeable additions to an NHL lineup. [1] [2] [3] Recent Performance Profiles Hellebuyck's numbers varied considerably over his last two complete campaigns in Winnipeg [3]. During the 2024 to 2025 regular season, he posted 47 wins, 12 losses and three overtime losses across 63 games, recording a .925 save percentage and a 2.00 goals against average [3]. In the 2025 to 2026 regular season, his numbers across 57 games shifted to 23 wins, 23 losses and 11 overtime losses, an .895 save percentage, a 2.86 goals against average, and zero shutouts [3]. The recent season and the career line answer different questions. The career figures describe a long record across Winnipeg appearances. The most recent completed season describes a narrower period, including a lower save percentage and no shutouts. Neither set is a Devils performance sample. New Jersey has acquired the same player, but it has not yet produced evidence of how he will perform for his new team. [3] The absence of a current season appearance also matters when reading the trade headline. A signed contract and a completed transaction establish where Hellebuyck belongs. They do not establish when he will take the ice. The next useful update is a named starting assignment, not another repetition of his career totals. A bettor reviewing a specific Devils game should distinguish the acquired goalie from the goalie actually announced for that game. [3] SBA Takeaway A confirmed trade changes a team roster on paper, but it does not instantly solve starting rotations or schedule an on ice debut. Hellebuyck has not played this season, Nick Bjugstad remains sidelined following surgery, and Alexander Command remains an unsigned draft choice rather than an immediate NHL player. When evaluating roster news, focus strictly on verified player availability and confirmed starting goaltenders rather than assuming instant game action. Sources - [1] Devils: Hellebuyck Acquired by Devils - [2] Sportsnet: Jets deal Connor Hellebuyck to Devils - [3] NHL: Hellebuyck traded to Devils by Jets Related Reading - Panthers Say Markstrom Is Expected to Miss 10 to 14 Days - Rangers Lose Shesterkin for the Season, Putting Goalie Depth in Focus - Suzuki to Miss Two to Four Weeks. Montreal Loses Its Captain.