Devils acquire Olympic gold medallist Connor Hellebuyck from Winnipeg in blockbuster trade

On October 23, 2026, the New Jersey Devils acquired three-time Vezina Trophy winner and Olympic gold medallist Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets in a trade between the clubs.

The Devils sent centre Dawson Mercer, goaltender Nico Daws, prospect Alexander Command, forward Nick Bjugstad, a 2029 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-rounder to Winnipeg in exchange for Hellebuyck. The move ends months of speculation, a failed bid to move the US Olympic gold medallist and 2024-25 NHL MVP in June, and a period in which the Jets suspended Hellebuyck for failing to report to training camp in a standoff that required the involvement of the league and the Players’ Association.

Hellebuyck, 33, leaves Winnipeg after spending his entire 11-year NHL career with the Jets. He backstopped the United States to Olympic gold at the Milan-Cortina Games in February and has won the Vezina Trophy three times.

Hellebuyck will join Jack Hughes in New Jersey; Hughes scored in overtime of the final to defeat Canada at the Olympics. The acquisition was described in the club’s coverage as immediately putting the Devils closer to being Stanley Cup contenders.

When training camp opened, new Devils general manager Sunny Mehta said "he was very comfortable with the team’s goaltending situation." Since then, Jake Allen and Nico Daws have combined for an .880 save percentage, which ranks 23rd among 32 teams.

It was not immediately clear how soon Hellebuyck might be ready to play for his new team; he has been skating in his home state of Michigan while trade talks were ongoing. Hellebuyck has five seasons left on a seven-year contract with an annual salary cap hit of $8.5m.