NHL News: New Jersey Devils Acquire Star Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck From Winnipeg Jets

NHL Trade as The Devils and Jets Make a Move

The New Jersey Devils have acquired star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets in a blockbuster trade announced Friday, ending the veteran netminder’s holdout and bringing one of the NHL’s most decorated players to New Jersey.

In exchange, Winnipeg will receive forwards Dawson Mercer, Nick Bjugstad and Alexander Command, goaltender Nico Daws, a seventh round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a second-round selection in 2029. The deal gives the Devils an established elite goaltender while providing the Jets with multiple players and future draft assets as they move forward without their longtime franchise cornerstone.

Hellebuyck’s Holdout Ends With Trade to New Jersey

Hellebuyck, 33, had requested a trade from Winnipeg over the summer, saying the move was in the best interest of himself and his family. His absence extended into training camp, prompting the Jets to suspend him for failing to report. He was losing nearly $39,000 per day in salary during the holdout and forfeited nearly $928,000 for missing the beginning of the season.

The suspension was scheduled to end Friday, but negotiations accelerated Thursday night, with New Jersey emerging as a leading contender to acquire the three time Vezina Trophy winner. As recently as last weekend, sources indicated that Winnipeg was underwhelmed by the trade offers it had received for Hellebuyck.

However, the discussions gained momentum as the Devils pursued a deal to secure one of the league’s premier goaltenders. The timing also played a role. Winnipeg is scheduled to host the Heritage Classic on Sunday, and the organization wanted the focus to remain on the outdoor event, the team and the city rather than the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Hellebuyck’s future. Completing the trade before the weekend helped the Jets avoid further distractions.

Security Concerns Contributed to Hellebuyck’s Decision

Hellebuyck’s desire to leave Winnipeg reportedly extended beyond hockey. Sources indicated that concerns involving his personal life and family were among the factors behind his trade request. In September, Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff confirmed that the organization had requested additional security for Hellebuyck after the goaltender returned to Winnipeg following the Winter Olympics, where he helped the United States defeat Canada in the gold medal game.

The Jets contacted police and took measures to address online and physical safety concerns surrounding the goaltender. Hellebuyck’s departure therefore brings an end to a complicated chapter for both the player and the organization, which had relied on him as its backbone in goal for years.

Devils Add One of the NHL’s Most Accomplished Goaltenders

Hellebuyck arrives in New Jersey with an impressive résumé. He has won three Vezina Trophies as the NHL’s top goaltender and captured the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 2025, placing him among the most accomplished active players at his position. He is in the third season of a seven-year contract worth $59.5 million, giving the Devils a proven franchise goaltender under a long-term agreement.

New Jersey’s acquisition represents a significant move for first-year general manager Sunny Mehta, who previously worked in the Florida Panthers’ front office. Mehta has demonstrated a willingness to make bold roster decisions, including trading last season’s starting goaltender, Jacob Markstrom, to Florida this summer.

Adding Hellebuyck gives the Devils an experienced, award-winning presence in net as the organization looks to strengthen its position in the Eastern Conference. For Winnipeg, the trade marks the end of an era and creates an opportunity to reshape its roster around a group of incoming players and future draft selections.

Devils and Jets Set for Two Meetings This Season

The trade will add another storyline to the teams’ upcoming meetings. New Jersey is scheduled to visit Winnipeg on Nov. 10, while the Jets will travel to New Jersey on Nov. 28. Those matchups will give fans an early opportunity to see Hellebuyck face his former team, potentially adding extra intensity to an already significant transition for both organizations.

With the deal now complete, the Devils have landed one of the NHL’s elite goaltenders, while the Jets turn the page on a star whose departure was shaped by both hockey considerations and concerns away from the ice.