Devils win Hellebuyck sweepstakes with Winnipeg

Newark, N.J. (WFAN/WGR) - Cory Schneider's last All-Star season with the New Jersey Devils was a decade ago. Since then, the team has not had the luxury of consistent, reliable goaltending.

They do now.

The Devils announced Friday they've acquired Connor Hellebuyck from the Jets in a blockbuster trade that sends forwards Dawson Mercer and Nick Bjugstad, goalie Nico Daws and 2026 first-round pick Alex Command to Winnipeg. The Jets also receive a 2029 second-round pick and 2027 seventh-round pick in the trade.

The trade instantly becomes the defining move of Sunny Mehta's tenure leading the organization as general manager, which is still in its infancy. Mehta, who took over from Tom Fitzgerald after last season, clearly sees something in the 6-4-0 Devils to believe that an all-in move was warranted.

The three-time Vezina Trophy winner, as the league's best goalie, had requested a trade from Winnipeg during the offseason, and was suspended by the Jets just before training camp after not reporting to the team. That suspension was set to expire on Friday.

The 33-year-old is coming off a down year, based on his standards, but isn't far removed from leading the league in goals-against average during the 2024-25 campaign, when he earned his third Vezina Trophy, as well as the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player.

During the offseason, the speculation was that Hellebuyck was willing to waive the no-movement clause in his contract to facilitate a trade to the Buffalo Sabres. This after the Sabres and Jets had reportedly engaged in trade talks leading up to the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo.

Even after the reported talks didn't lead to a trade, in the end, it was believed that Buffalo was still in conversations with Winnipeg surrounding the veteran goalie.

Hellebuyck now joins a Devils team that will be expected to, at least, win a playoff series for the first time since 2023, and perhaps more.