Overview
- The New Jersey Devils completed the trade Friday, acquiring goalie Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Dawson Mercer, Alexander Command, Nico Daws, Nick Bjugstad and multiple draft picks.
- Hellebuyck had privately requested a trade, skipped Winnipeg’s training camp and was suspended before the move, and he told New Jersey media he is excited to play again but is not expected to be immediately game‑ready after the holdout.
- Winnipeg insisted on 'immediate forward help' during talks and received Mercer as an NHL contributor, Command as a recent first‑round prospect, Daws as goaltending depth and Bjugstad and picks for salary and future flexibility.
- Rumored suitors including Buffalo and Carolina were hampered by roster limits, no‑trade/no‑movement issues and reluctance to part with the specific forwards Winnipeg wanted, according to reporting and Elliotte Friedman’s commentary.
- The trade resolves a public negotiation saga but prompts questions about the Jets’ timing and leverage, and it forces the Devils to integrate a high‑salary starter while reshaping Winnipeg’s short‑ and medium‑term roster plans.