Why Connor Hellebuyck blockbuster trade to Devils comes at perfect time for Jets

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Connor Hellebuyck’s wish has come true and all that it took was a deal with the Devils.

The Winnipeg Jets send their superstar goalie to the New Jersey Devils in a blockbuster trade on Friday, ending the American’s trade demand saga which began early in the summer and spilled into the 2026-27 season.

The trade sees the goalie reunite with fellow Team USA Olympic hero Jack Hughes, who scored the winning goal at the Milano-Cortina Olympics earlier this year while Hellebuyck backstopped the squad to gold.

In return for the former NHL MVP, the Jets are receiving forwards Nick Bjugstad, Alexander Command and Dawson Mercer, goaltender Nico Daws and two draft picks — a seventh-rounder in 2027 and a second-rounder in 2029.

Mercer has played 420 career games, scoring 103 goals and 110 assists for 213 points.

Command was the 12th-overall selection in 2026 NHL draft and currently plays for Örebro HK of the Swedish Hockey League.

Bjugstad has yet to play this season as he reportedly recovers from an injury, but the 34-year-old veteran has 821 NHL games under his belt and 339 career points.

The 25-year-old Daws served as backup goalie to Jake Allen this season, playing four games and posting a record of 2-2-0 with a 2.78 GAA.

The trade comes on the same day that Hellebuyck’s team-imposed suspension was set to end — seemingly perfect timing for the Jets and the wantaway netminder.

According to Hellebucks — a viral website that tracked the amount of money that the goalie lost – Hellebuyck forfeited $927,835.05 US during his holdout and suspension. 

Would Hellebuyck have been welcomed back in Winnipeg?

Last week, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that, according to several sources, Hellebuyck’s suspension would be coming to an end, paving the way for a potential return to the ice for the three-time Vezina Trophy winner.

Hellebuyck, who skipped the team’s training camp after requesting a trade this off-season, reportedly informed the Jets before their first game of the season that he intended to end his unexcused absence.

According to Article 15.13, subsection (c)(v) of the league’s collective bargaining agreement, “if a Player who has not received permission to be absent from Training Camp returns to the Club, he shall be subject to a disciplinary suspension of reasonable length.”

But with the goalie ending his self-imposed exile, the team seemingly has run out of leeway when it comes to “reasonable” punishment.

However, several Jets players spoke out about Hellebuyck potentially returning to the team, including team captain Adam Lowry.

“He’s a good friend of mine. Do I love the decision, do I love the way it’s dragged on? No. But we’ll handle the situation when it comes,” Lowry told reporters after a loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. “It’s unfair to speculate on what’s going to happen between now and Friday.”

However, Lowry added that “conversations” will need to be had upon the all-star goalie’s return.

“If he does show up, conversations are going to have to happen,” Lowry said. “There’s going to have to be one of those water-under-the-bridge things.

“We keep moving forward. We’re a team, regardless of who’s in the room.”

Fellow Jets forward Scott Arniel also apparently was in no mood to discuss Hellebuyck’s potential return.

“I really don’t care right now on that scenario,” Arniel said. “That part falls on (GM Kevin Cheveldayoff). I’m going to face that when it happens.

“I don’t know what next week is going to look like. I’ve got 23 guys, all they care about is winning hockey games.”

Why did Connor Hellebuyck want a trade?

Hellebuyck has been one of the best goalies in the NHL throughout his career, not only winning three Vezina Trophies, but also taking home the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 2025.

However, as the Jets have continually fallen short in the playoffs, Hellebuyck — who had played his entire 11-year career in Winnipeg — joined a growing trend of star players requesting trades despite being signed to long-term deals which include no-trade clauses.

While fellow U.S. Olympic gold-medal winner Brady Tkachuk got his wish from the Ottawa Senators and was dealt to Florida, Hellebuyck and former Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin had remained stuck with their teams, until Friday’s trade granted the goalie’s wish.

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