Overview
- The New Jersey Devils traded for Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, sending Dawson Mercer, Alexander Command, Nico Daws, Nick Bjugstad and multiple draft picks to Winnipeg.
- Hellebuyck had privately requested a trade, skipped Winnipeg’s training camp and was suspended by the Jets on Sept. 16 before the deal, and he is not yet ready to play after missing camp.
- Devils general manager Sunny Mehta reversed his September reluctance to invest big in goaltending by taking on Hellebuyck’s long-term contract and saying the move materially improves New Jersey’s roster.
- Reporting by Elliotte Friedman and others says Buffalo and Carolina were front-runners but could not meet Winnipeg’s demand for immediate NHL-ready forwards, and Buffalo signaled it was out as talks stalled.
- Analysts argue Winnipeg weakened its leverage by letting the dispute drag into the season, leaving the club with a package of forwards, a prospect and picks while raising questions about the team’s roster and public handling of the saga.