The NHL saw a monster move go down Friday, with the New Jersey Devils nabbing star netminder Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets. This wasn’t some quiet deal, either, as the Devils sent out Dawson Mercer, Alexander Command, Nick Bjugstad, Nico Daws, a second-round pick, and a seventh-round pick for him. When a goalie of Hellebuyck’s caliber gets moved, you know it’s gonna shake things up, especially for a division as stacked as the Metro.
So, Who Won This Thing?
A lot of chatter is flying around about whether the Jets got enough for Hellebuyck. Some folks are arguing Winnipeg didn’t get a true top-tier prospect or a top-of-the-lineup player back. But hey, Mercer is a solid middle-six forward with room to grow, and Command was the 12th overall pick in this year’s NHL Draft. Plus, Bjugstad is another piece Winnipeg could easily flip at the deadline, and Daws gives them some much-needed goalie depth. Sounds like they came out okay, even if it wasn’t a mega-haul.
And should our boys have been in on this? Nah. Or even the Flyers for that matter, who are right there in the Metropolitan? The source says Dan Vladar and Joseph Woll are holding it down in net for Philly, so it wouldn’t have made sense for them to get involved unless it was a three-team salary cap shuffle. But this was a simple two-team deal. No need for outside help.
Devils Just Got Scary, Metro Division Watch Out
For New Jersey, though? This is a massive win, plain and simple. They can easily replace Mercer and Bjugstad in their lineup. What they get is an upgrade from Daws to Hellebuyck, pushing Jake Allen into a backup role. That’s a huge boost, dramatically improving the Devils’ standing this season. Talk about raising the ceiling!
This is a scary thought for the rest of the Metropolitan Division. Philly’s already behind with a 0-6-3 start, and now their three remaining matchups against the Devils are going to be even tougher. The Devils are sitting pretty at 6-4-0 for 12 points in 10 games, tying them for third in the division with the New York Islanders. They’re trailing the New York Rangers, who have 15 points in 12 games, but the Rangers might fade if Igor Shesterkin isn’t available. Of course, the Carolina Hurricanes are still dominating at the top, an impressive 8-2-2 for 18 points in their first dozen games. Carolina’s still the favorite, but New Jersey is definitely closer to that top tier now. Even the Capitals started strong at 5-4-0 through nine games. Man, that division is a bloodbath!
Meanwhile, In Our House…
While all this high-stakes division drama is playing out elsewhere, our Seattle Kraken are just quietly doing their thing. And what a thing it is! We took down the Utah Mammoth in a hard-fought battle right here at home, with a final score of 5-3! That’s a W, plain and simple, and it shows our guys are focused on our own climb.
So, the NHL landscape is shifting, especially out east, with the Devils making a bold move for Hellebuyck. It’s wild to watch the league’s top teams jockey for position. But for us here in the Emerald City, our eyes are always on the Kraken. That 5-3 victory against Utah? That’s the kind of hustle and grit we love to see. Every win builds momentum, and every game is a chance to prove we’re a force to be reckoned with. Let’s keep that energy going!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Broad Street Hockey.
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