theathleticuk
Optimism is palpable in Newark, New Jersey, where the Devils' new general manager, Sunny Mehta, has made his most aggressive move yet by acquiring goaltender Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets.
Mehta had already strengthened the team's forward group by adding Luke Evangelista, Anthony Mantha, and Evan Rodrigues. The Devils' 6-4-0 start, backed by strong underlying metrics, suggested progress. But urgency is mounting within the organization.
Since Josh Harris and David Blitzer purchased the team in 2013, the Devils have missed the playoffs in 10 of 13 seasons and frequently drafted near the top. They've cycled through four general managers, seven head coaches, and numerous players, with only Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, and Jack Hughes remaining as long-tenured core pieces after Dawson Mercer was traded to Winnipeg.
The team isn't especially young or deep in prospects, so the window to win is now. With just one playoff appearance in the past three seasons and point totals of 81, 91, and 87, the Devils have been mired in mediocrity.
That context makes Mehta's acquisition of Hellebuyck a potential game-changer. High-end goaltending has been a glaring need for years, and the cost—Mercer, prospect Alexander Command, depth pieces, and picks—was relatively low given the Jets' leverage.
There is risk: Hellebuyck is 33 and coming off a subpar season. He also missed all of training camp and the first month of the 2026-27 campaign, so his immediate impact is uncertain. But the upside is enormous. Even including last year, Hellebuyck leads the NHL in goals saved above expected over the past five years. He has won three Vezina Trophies, including two of the last three, and is just 16 months removed from winning the Hart Trophy as league MVP and eight months removed from backstopping Team USA to Olympic gold.
If Hellebuyck can approximate that form over the next two or three seasons at a reasonable $8.5 million cap hit, the trade will be a steal. More importantly, it transforms the Devils from a team with 50-50 playoff odds into a legitimate contender.
Key Analysis
The move also bolsters New Jersey's reputation around the league. In an era of player empowerment, winning and a star goaltender can be powerful recruiting tools. Dylan Larkin, the former Detroit Red Wings captain, already listed the Devils as one of 10 teams he'd waive his no-movement clause for. The trade could also help convince defenseman Quinn Hughes that the franchise is ready to contend, should he become available via trade or free agency.
Assuming Hellebuyck stabilizes the goaltending, a No. 1 defenseman is New Jersey's only remaining significant hole. Mehta has about $17 million in cap space for a massive extension beginning in 2027-28, and contract efficiency has quickly become a strength under new leadership.
The trade also sends a message to the Devils' current stars that the organization is serious about winning. Had Mehta stuck with the underwhelming tandem of Jake Allen and Nico Daws—a Moneyball-style gamble he hinted at earlier—and it cost them in the standings, morale could have eroded further. Through 10 games, the Devils ranked 27th in goals against above expected, even after a strong showing from Daws in a 4-1 win over the Ducks on Thursday.
Trade talks with the Jets were already underway before that win, but recent goaltending results likely added urgency. Acquiring a netminder of Hellebuyck's pedigree for the Devils' eighth-best forward, a mid-first-round pick, and little else is a coup.
Hellebuyck will be introduced at a news conference on Saturday afternoon before a home game against the Los Angeles Kings. He's unlikely to play immediately, and the team will focus on getting him up to speed quickly, especially with tough back-to-back road games in Colorado and Dallas on Tuesday and Wednesday.
It's a lot to ask the veteran to regain Hart-level form quickly, but this trade won't be judged in the first few weeks. The ultimate measure of success will be whether Hellebuyck can consistently return the Devils to the playoffs in a crowded Eastern Conference and reestablish the franchise as a relevant destination for players.
While Hellebuyck alone may not make New Jersey a Stanley Cup favorite, the subsequent moves could. Mehta has shown he's not fooling around in his first six months on the job, and he has ample assets to make further deals. He has already captured the attention of the entire league.
Originally reported by theathleticuk.