Sports
Devils land three-time Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck from the Jets, ending his holdout
Winnipeg gets Dawson Mercer, Nick Bjugstad, Alexander Command, Nico Daws and two picks. Hellebuyck forfeited nearly $928,000 while suspended.
The New Jersey Devils have their new No. 1 goalie. The team acquired Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, ending a holdout that kept one of the NHL's most decorated goaltenders off the ice to start the season.
Winnipeg gets three forwards in Dawson Mercer, Nick Bjugstad and Alexander Command. The Jets also receive goalie Nico Daws, a seventh-round pick in 2027 and a second-round pick in 2029.
Hellebuyck, 33, had been suspended for failing to report to training camp. He was losing nearly $39,000 a day in salary while he stayed away. The suspension was set to end Friday, but he still gave up close to $928,000 by sitting out the opening weeks.
Why he wanted out
Hellebuyck asked for a trade this summer and said it was best for him and his family. His reasons reportedly went beyond hockey.
In September, Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff confirmed the team had asked for extra security for Hellebuyck after he helped the United States beat Canada for Olympic gold and returned to Winnipeg. The Jets contacted police and took steps to deal with online and physical safety concerns.
Talks picked up speed Thursday night. Winnipeg hosts the Heritage Classic on Sunday and wanted the focus on the event and the city rather than on its former star.
A big swing for New Jersey
Hellebuyck has won three Vezina Trophies and was named the league MVP in 2025. He is in the third season of a seven-year deal worth $59.5 million.
First-year Devils GM Sunny Mehta has not been shy. He already traded last season's starter Jacob Markstrom to Florida this summer. The Devils' Stanley Cup odds jumped from 25-1 to 14-1 after the deal.
Mercer, 24, has four assists in 10 games this season and 213 points in 420 career games. Command, 18, was New Jersey's first-round pick (12th overall) in the 2026 draft and plays in Sweden. Bjugstad, 34, is recovering from surgery on a torn pectoral muscle and is expected to miss four to six months.
Hellebuyck will see his old team soon. The Devils visit Winnipeg on Nov. 10 and the Jets come to New Jersey on Nov. 28.
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