Key Takeaways
- Winnipeg traded Connor Hellebuyck to New Jersey after his offseason trade request and training-camp absence.
- The Jets acquired Dawson Mercer, Nico Daws, Nick Bjugstad, Alexander Command’s rights and two draft picks.
- Hellebuyck will make his first return to Winnipeg on November 10 when the Devils visit the Jets.
A franchise icon forces his way out
The Winnipeg Jets have traded goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils, ending his 11 seasons in Manitoba.
In return, Winnipeg receives forward Dawson Mercer, goaltender Nico Daws, forward Nick Bjugstad, the rights to unsigned forward Alexander Command — the No. 12 pick in the 2026 draft — plus New Jersey's 2029 second-round pick and 2027 seventh-round pick.
The trade, completed Friday, had been building for months. Hellebuyck requested a trade in the offseason, did not report to training camp and was suspended by the Jets on Sept. 16. The deal was completed on the day that suspension was scheduled to end.
The résumé he takes with him
Hellebuyck leaves as one of the most decorated goaltenders in Jets history. He is a three-time Vezina Trophy winner as the league's best goaltender (2019-20, 2023-24 and 2024-25) and won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 2024-25 — only the eighth goaltender to win it.
That season, he went 47-12-3 with a 2.00 goals-against average, a .925 save percentage and eight shutouts in 63 games, leading the League in wins, GAA and shutouts. He also helped Team USA win gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics, going 5-0 with a 1.18 goals-against average and a .956 save percentage in five games.
He is the Jets/Atlanta Thrashers franchise leader in games played (625), wins (345) and shutouts (45). At 33, he is in the third season of a seven-year, $59.5 million contract carrying an $8.5 million average annual value.
What comes next
The Jets have gone 4-3-3 without Hellebuyck to start the season. Stuart Skinner is 3-1-3 with a 2.67 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage in seven starts, while Clay Stevenson is 1-2-0 with a 3.08 GAA and a .893 save percentage in three starts.
One date is already circled in Winnipeg: New Jersey is scheduled to visit on Nov. 10. Hellebuyck’s availability for that game has not been established.
Photo: Jenn G / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) — Connor Hellebuyck during his time with the Winnipeg Jets.