The New Jersey Devils have acquired goaltender Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets, the teams announced Friday.
In return, the Jets receive three forwards -- Dawson Mercer, Nick Bjugstad and Alexander Command -- as well as goalie Nico Daws, a seventh-round draft pick in 2027 and a second-round selection in 2029.
Hellebuyck had been suspended for failing to report to training camp, and was losing nearly $39,000 a day in salary as the holdout continued. The suspension was set to end on Friday, but Hellebuyck forfeited nearly $928,000 for sitting out the beginning of the season
Buyck'd around and found our guy. https://t.co/QWnlKQ0O1B
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) October 23, 2026
As recently as last weekend, the Jets were underwhelmed by the trade offers they had received for Hellebuyck, sources said. However, negotiations gained significant momentum Thursday night, with New Jersey emerging as a leading contender to land the star goaltender.
With Winnipeg set to host the Heritage Classic on Sunday, the Jets wanted the focus to be on the event, the team and the city, as opposed to any potential drama surrounding Hellebuyck, thus adding motivation to get a deal done before the weekend.
Hellebuyck, 33, requested a trade from Winnipeg this summer, saying it was in the best interest of him and his family, with sources telling ESPN that Hellebuyck's reasons for wanting out of Winnipeg extended beyond hockey.
In September, Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff confirmed that the organization had requested additional security for Hellebuyck after he helped the United States defeat Canada in the gold medal game at the Winter Olympics and returned to Winnipeg. The Jets contacted police and took measures to address online and physical safety concerns.
The Devils and Jets will tangle twice this season, with New Jersey visiting Winnipeg on Nov. 10, and the Jets visiting the Devils later in the month on Nov. 28.
Hellebuyck is one of the NHL's most decorated active goaltenders. He has won three Vezina Trophies and won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 2025. He is in the third season of a seven-year contract worth $59.5 million.
The Devils are led by first-year GM Sunny Mehta, who was previously in the front office of the Florida Panthers. Mehta has not been shy about making bold moves, including trading last season's starting goaltender, Jacob Markstrom, to Florida this summer.
The Devils' Stanley Cup odds moved from 25-1 to 14-1 following the news that Hellebuyck was acquired by the team, according to DraftKings odds.
Mercer, 24, has played 10 games for New Jersey this season, tallying four assists. He has appeared in 420 career NHL games over the past six seasons for the Devils and recorded 213 points (103 goals, 110 assists)
Command, 18, was New Jersey's first-round pick (12th overall) in the 2026 NHL draft and is currently playing in the Swedish League.
Bjugstad, 34, is currently recovering from surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle and is expected to be out four to six months. The veteran forward played in 61 games for the Devils and St. Louis Blues last season, recording nine points. He has played 821 career NHL games for eight teams and posted 339 points (163 goals, 176 assists)
Daws, 25, has played four games for the Devils this season and posted a 2-2-0 record with a 2.78 goals-against average and a .874 save percentage. He was New Jersey's third-round pick (84th overall) in the 2020 NHL draft and has compiled a 26-26-1 record in 59 career NHL games with a 2.94 goals-against average and .897 save percentage.