Connor Hellebuyck is officially a New Jersey Devil, with the blockbuster trade going down right as the star netminder’s suspension from the Winnipeg Jets wrapped up. This move comes after Hellebuyck openly pushed for change following an “unacceptable” season in Winnipeg, and it cost the guy $925,000 in forfeited salary for not reporting to camp.
The Long Road to a Trade
Hellebuyck wasn’t shy about wanting a shake-up after the 2025-26 season. In his exit interview back in April, he laid it all out: he wanted to lift a Stanley Cup and felt the Jets needed a serious jolt. “From my perspective, complacency is not going to get us moving forward,” he told reporters. “So something has got to happen.” He was clear he wasn’t blaming individuals, saying, “I’m not going to just sit here and throw every guy under the bus because, honestly, I’m a goalie and I know goaltending really well. I can’t say, ‘Well, this forward did this and that defenceman did that.’ That’s not my spot.” But he also stressed that “to just put that same product on the ice, I don’t think it worked for a reason.”
While Hellebuyck didn’t explicitly demand a trade then, the writing was on the wall. Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff confirmed in June the team was ready to entertain offers, acknowledging Hellebuyck’s “passionate” press conference. Then, a formal trade request hit in August. Hellebuyck, through his agent, said he’d approached the Jets about wanting out months earlier but didn’t want to make it public. When nothing happened, he changed his approach. The situation ratcheted up even more when Winnipeg suspended Hellebuyck for not showing up to training camp, though Cheveldayoff maintained he’d be welcomed back if he decided to report.
What Went Down: The Trade Details and Big Picture
So, what did it take to pry away a three-time Vezina Trophy winner and the 2024-25 Hart Memorial Trophy recipient? The Devils sent goaltender Nico Daws, forward Dawson Mercer, center Alexander Command, center Nick Bjugstad, and two future draft picks to Winnipeg. That’s quite a package for a 33-year-old coming off a “down year” by his own incredibly high standards. Hellebuyck’s .895 save percentage was a career low, and his 2.86 goals-against average was a noticeable jump from his NHL-best 2.00 in 2024-25. Still, his reputation speaks for itself, and his no-movement clause and $8.5 million average salary gave him serious leverage in finding his next spot.
For the Jets, this is a massive shift between the pipes. They’re coming off a 2025-26 campaign where they completely missed the playoffs, finishing with the second-fewest points (82) in the Central division. They’ve started this season 4-3-3 with Stuart Skinner as their go-to starter, but there’s no way around it: losing Hellebuyck is a clear “downgrade” in net. The Devils, meanwhile, grab themselves a new stalwart in goal as they push to get back to the postseason after missing out last year. This isn’t just a trade, folks; it’s a huge gamble for both franchises, and we’ll see if it pays off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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