New Jersey Devils trade for three-time Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck
The Devils acquired goaltender Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for three forwards, a backup goalie, and two draft picks, with Hellebuyck forfeiting nearly $928,000 of his salary.
The New Jersey Devils announced on Friday that they have obtained goaltender Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets. In return, Winnipeg will receive forwards Dawson Mercer, Nick Bjugstad and Alexander Command, backup goalie Nico Daws, a seventh-round pick in the 2027 draft and a second-round pick in the 2029 draft.
"Hellebuyck forfeited nearly $928,000 in salary after sitting out the start of the season," sources told ESPN.
The trade follows Hellebuyck’s request for a move earlier this summer, which he said was in the best interest of his family. The Jets were motivated to complete the deal before Hellebuyck’s suspension for missing training camp expired on Friday, and ahead of the Heritage Classic scheduled for Sunday in Winnipeg.
Hellebuyck, 33, is a three-time Vezina Trophy winner and the 2025 Hart Trophy recipient. He is in the third year of a seven-year, $59.5 million contract. The Devils, led by first-year general manager Sunny Mehta, have also traded former starter Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers.
The two clubs will meet twice this season, with New Jersey visiting Winnipeg on Nov. 10 and Winnipeg traveling to New Jersey on Nov. 28. DraftKings odds on the Devils’ Stanley Cup chances improved from 25-1 to 14-1 after the acquisition.