observer_reporter
The long-running saga surrounding Connor Hellebuyck has finally reached its conclusion, with the Winnipeg Jets granting the star goaltender's trade request and sending him to the New Jersey Devils on Friday.
In exchange for Hellebuyck, the Jets will receive forward Dawson Mercer, goaltender Nico Daws, prospect Alexander Command, a 2029 second-round pick, a 2027 seventh-round pick, and forward Nick Bjugstad, who is currently on long-term injured reserve.
Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff addressed the media in Winnipeg, emphasizing that the trade was driven by market dynamics rather than a predetermined return. "It really does come down to what teams are willing to do and willing to pay," Cheveldayoff said. "It's not necessarily what I got. It was more like what other teams were willing to pay."
The blockbuster move brings an end to months of uncertainty, a failed attempt to trade the U.S. Olympic gold medalist and 2024-25 NHL MVP in June, and a suspension imposed by the Jets after Hellebuyck failed to report to training camp—a standoff that eventually required involvement from the league and the Players Association.
"It certainly hasn't been fun," Cheveldayoff remarked. "Connor made his choice to do how he chose to do it. And, as an organization, we had to act accordingly and we did. He asked for a trade. We told him we would do our best to make it happen. And if it happens whatever months ago when he first asked, we would have done it then. Unfortunately it took to this time now."
Hellebuyck, 33, departs Winnipeg after spending his entire 11-year career with the franchise. He backstopped the United States to Olympic gold at the Milan-Cortina Games in February. In New Jersey, he joins Jack Hughes, who scored the overtime winner in the gold medal game against Canada, and immediately bolsters the Devils' chances of becoming a Stanley Cup contender.
When training camp opened, new Devils general manager Sunny Mehta expressed confidence in the team's goaltending situation. However, since then, Daws and Jake Allen combined for an .880 save percentage, ranking 23rd among 32 teams. Cheveldayoff noted Mehta's direct approach: "When Sunny got serious, he got serious real quick. There was no beating around the bush with each other. We kind of laid our cards on the table and said this is what it's going to take."
It remains unclear when Hellebuyck will be ready to play for his new team. He has been skating in his home state of Michigan while trade talks progressed. Hellebuyck has five seasons remaining on a seven-year contract with an annual salary cap hit of $8.5 million. He moves from the Central Division to the Metropolitan, much to the relief of rivals who will now face him less frequently.
"I don't mind," Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. "You knew he was getting traded at some point. You just didn't know where. To see him go to Jersey doesn't hurt my feelings."
Hellebuyck becomes the latest high-profile American player to leave Canada for the United States. In June, Ottawa traded captain Brady Tkachuk to Florida, where he joined his brother Matthew. In December, Vancouver dealt star defenseman Quinn Hughes, a brother of Jake and teammate Luke, to Minnesota.
The process of trading Hellebuyck grew messy, particularly after the goalie publicly requested a trade in September. The Jets suspended him for failing to report to camp, a disciplinary move that extended into the season with Hellebuyck not receiving pay. The length of the suspension became a point of contention, with the league and union ultimately determining that Hellebuyck would be allowed to rejoin the Jets on Friday. Instead, a deal with New Jersey materialized just before Winnipeg hosts the outdoor Heritage Classic this weekend.
"Certainly wish I could have done it five or four months ago—whatever when the opportunity first started," Cheveldayoff said. "We were looking, but here we are."
The Jets' post-Hellebuyck plans began over the summer with the free-agent signing of Stuart Skinner. Before the season, Winnipeg claimed Clay Stevenson off waivers, and the duo's combined .907 save percentage ranks seventh in the NHL. Cheveldayoff indicated the plan is to carry three goaltenders for now.
The Jets faced criticism for not trading Hellebuyck in June, when teams had more flexibility to clear salary cap space. The Buffalo Sabres were among the teams expressing interest and were preparing a package that included swapping first-round picks—Buffalo held the No. 4 selection, while Winnipeg had No. 8. The challenge for Winnipeg was finding a willing partner to take on a goalie with a high price tag and a lengthy contract well after most teams had set their rosters and had limited cap space.
"A goalie market is a little bit of a different market," Cheveldayoff explained. "You find out who has legitimate interests. You find out who has legitimate needs. You go through the process of what assets they have within their organization, and more importantly, what assets they are willing to move."
Another concern was Hellebuyck's age and his playoff track record. After going 9-8 in leading the Jets to the Western Conference finals in his playoff debut in 2018, he has posted a 15-26 record since, with the Jets advancing to the second round just twice in their next six playoff appearances. In four first-round exits, Hellebuyck had a combined 5-15 record.
The disparity between regular-season and postseason success was evident in 2024-25. Hellebuyck led Winnipeg to the Presidents' Trophy and won the Hart Trophy as MVP, recording a career-best 47 wins, but then went 6-7 in the playoffs as the Jets were eliminated by Dallas in the second round.
With a 345-208-55 regular-season record, Hellebuyck ranks 27th in career wins on the NHL list and fifth among U.S.-born players. Among U.S.-born goalies with 300 or more career starts, his .916 save percentage ranks fourth and his 2.58 goals-against average ranks sixth.
Originally reported by observer_reporter.