Full Breakdown
Hellebuyck Trade: Jets Send Elite Goaltender to Devils
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 23, 2026 the Winnipeg Jets traded three-time Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils. New Jersey received Hellebuyck, a 33-year-old goaltender under a seven-year, $59.5 million contract with an $8.5 million AAV. Winnipeg acquired forward Dawson Mercer, forward Nick Bjugstad, prospect Alexander Command, goaltender Nico Daws, a 2029 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick. The deal ends a months-long saga that began with Hellebuyck’s public trade request and a suspension for missing training camp.
Background & Context
Hellebuyck was drafted 130th overall by Winnipeg in the 2012 NHL Draft and spent his entire 11-year career with the Jets, posting a 345-208-55 record, a 2.58 GAA and a .916 save percentage. He captured three Vezina Trophies (2019-20, 2023-24, 2024-25) and the Hart Trophy in 2024-25. Internationally, he back-stopped Team USA to Olympic gold at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games, making 41 saves in the final.
In late August Hellebuyck announced, “Several months ago, I privately requested a trade,” and said he had tried to handle the situation “quietly and respectfully.” The Jets responded by suspending him for missing training camp; the suspension, set to end on October 23, 2026, cost him roughly $925,000 in forfeited salary.
Data & Statistics
- Career: 625 games, 345 wins, 45 shutouts, .916 SV%, 2.58 GAA.
- 2024-25: 47-12-3 record, .925 SV%, 2.00 GAA, eight shutouts; led league in wins and earned Vezina and Hart trophies.
- 2025-26: .895 SV% and 2.86 GAA, a career low.
- Contract: $8.5 million cap hit through 2030-31, full no-movement clause.
- Devils’ goaltending (pre-trade): Jake Allen (4-2-0, 3.15 GAA, .883 SV%) and Nico Daws (2-2-0, 2.78 GAA, .874 SV%).
- Jets’ recent moves: Signed goalie Stuart Skinner to a two-year, $7.5 million deal on July 1, and claimed Clay Stevenson off waivers.
Why It Matters / Impact
The Devils add a proven elite netminder, addressing their most glaring weakness. Hellebuyck’s career .916 SV% and playoff experience should stabilize the Devils’ defensive structure and bolster their Stanley Cup aspirations.
For Winnipeg, the return adds depth at forward (Mercer, Bjugstad) and a promising prospect (Command, a 2026 first-round pick now playing in Sweden). The additional draft picks give flexibility as the Jets rebuild after missing the 2025-26 playoffs.
The trade also reshapes the Metropolitan Division, giving the Devils a goaltender comparable to Ilya Sorokin and the injured Igor Shesterkin, and sets up an early-season matchup with the Jets on November 10, 2026.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact amount of salary forfeited during the suspension: one report cites $925,000, another $928,000. Both figures stem from a daily loss of roughly $39,000. No public information confirms when Hellebuyck will be game-ready after missing training camp.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When Sunny got serious, he got serious real quick,” — Kevin Cheveldayoff, Jets general manager
- “A goalie market is a little bit of a different market,” — Kevin Cheveldayoff, Jets general manager
- “Connor made his choice to do how he chose to do it. And as an organization, we just had to act accordingly and we did,” — Kevin Cheveldayoff, Jets general manager
- “Several months ago, I privately requested a trade,” — Connor Hellebuyck, Jets forward
- “It was a real treat to deal with him; he’s very straightforward. There was no beating around the bush,” — Kevin Cheveldayoff, Jets general manager