The New Jersey Devils have made a major move to strengthen their crease, acquiring star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets in a blockbuster trade announced Friday. The deal brings one of the NHL’s most decorated active goalies to New Jersey while sending Winnipeg a package of three forwards, another goaltender and two future draft picks.

In exchange for Hellebuyck, the Jets receive forwards Dawson Mercer, Nick Bjugstad and Alexander Command, along with goaltender Nico Daws. Winnipeg will also receive a seventh-round pick in the 2027 NHL draft and a second-round selection in 2029.

The transaction ends a turbulent standoff between Hellebuyck and Winnipeg, where the goaltender had requested a trade during the summer and subsequently missed the start of training camp. For the Devils, meanwhile, the acquisition signals an ambitious push to improve their championship prospects.

Connor Hellebuyck Trade Ends Costly Winnipeg Holdout

Hellebuyck had been suspended for failing to report to training camp, with the absence costing him nearly $39,000 in salary for every day he remained away. Although the suspension was scheduled to end Friday, the goaltender had already forfeited nearly $928,000 by sitting out the opening stretch of the season.

As recently as the previous weekend, the Jets were dissatisfied with the trade proposals they had received, according to sources. The negotiations accelerated Thursday night, however, as New Jersey emerged as a leading candidate to acquire the star netminder.

Timing also played a role. Winnipeg is scheduled to host the Heritage Classic on Sunday, and the organization wanted attention focused on the outdoor hockey event, the team and the city rather than the uncertainty surrounding Hellebuyck. Completing the transaction before the weekend helped clear that distraction.

Why Hellebuyck Wanted Out of Winnipeg

The 33-year-old goalie requested a trade during the summer, explaining that leaving Winnipeg was in the best interests of himself and his family. Sources told ESPN that his reasons for wanting to leave extended beyond hockey.

The situation also involved security concerns. In September, Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff confirmed that the organization had sought additional security for Hellebuyck after he helped the United States defeat Canada in the Winter Olympics gold medal game and returned to Winnipeg.

The team contacted police and took steps to address concerns involving both online threats and physical safety. Those developments added another dimension to a trade request that had already put the relationship between the star goaltender and the Jets under a spotlight.

Devils Bet on an Elite Goaltender to Boost Stanley Cup Hopes

Hellebuyck arrives in New Jersey with a résumé that places him among the NHL’s top goaltenders. He has won three Vezina Trophies, awarded to the league’s best goalie, and captured the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player in 2025.

He is currently in the third season of a seven-year contract worth $59.5 million, giving the Devils a proven star under a long-term agreement.

New Jersey is led by first-year general manager Sunny Mehta, who previously worked in the Florida Panthers’ front office. Mehta has shown a willingness to make significant roster changes, including trading last season’s starting goaltender, Jacob Markstrom, to Florida this summer.

Hellebuyck’s arrival could reshape the Devils’ outlook. According to DraftKings odds, New Jersey’s Stanley Cup championship odds improved from 25-1 to 14-1 following news of the acquisition.

Two Regular-Season Meetings Await

The trade will add intrigue to two meetings between the clubs this season. New Jersey is scheduled to visit Winnipeg on Nov. 10, before the Jets travel to face the Devils on Nov. 28.

Those matchups will give both teams an early opportunity to measure the consequences of a deal that changes their rosters in different ways.

What Winnipeg Receives in the Trade

The Jets’ return includes players with varying levels of NHL experience, along with draft capital that could help the organization shape its future.

Dawson Mercer

Mercer, 24, has recorded four assists in 10 games for New Jersey this season. Across six seasons and 420 career NHL games, all with the Devils, he has collected 213 points, including 103 goals and 110 assists.

His departure removes an established forward from New Jersey’s lineup while giving Winnipeg a player with a substantial NHL track record.

Alexander Command

Command, 18, was selected by New Jersey with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NHL draft. He is currently playing in Sweden’s top professional league.

At 18, he represents a longer-term investment for Winnipeg, with his future development likely to be an important part of the value the Jets see in the deal.

Nick Bjugstad

Bjugstad, 34, is recovering from surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle and is expected to miss four to six months.

The veteran forward appeared in 61 games for the Devils and St. Louis Blues last season, recording nine points. Across 821 career NHL games with eight teams, he has produced 339 points, including 163 goals and 176 assists.

His injury means Winnipeg will have to wait before determining what he can contribute on the ice.

Nico Daws

Daws, 25, has appeared in four games for New Jersey this season, posting a 2-2-0 record, a 2.78 goals-against average and an .874 save percentage.

The Devils selected him in the third round, 84th overall, in the 2020 NHL draft. In 59 career NHL appearances, he has recorded a 26-26-1 record, a 2.94 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage.

His inclusion gives Winnipeg another goaltending option as the team adjusts to life without Hellebuyck.

A Franchise-Altering Move for Both Teams

For New Jersey, acquiring a three-time Vezina Trophy winner and former Hart Trophy recipient is a high-profile attempt to strengthen one of hockey’s most consequential positions. A dependable goaltender can serve as the final line of defense when games tighten and the margin for error shrinks.

For Winnipeg, the deal ends a difficult chapter involving a trade request, a training-camp absence and mounting uncertainty. In return, the Jets gain multiple players and future draft selections that could help reshape the roster.

The full impact will take time to emerge. Hellebuyck must establish himself with his new team, while Winnipeg’s incoming players will need to demonstrate how much value they can deliver. But the immediate message is unmistakable: New Jersey has made a major commitment to improving its championship chances, and the Jets have chosen a different path by turning a star goaltender into a broader package of assets.