Jets trade Hellebuyck to Devils for Mercer, Daws, picks

Updated 1:20 p.m. MT, Oct. 23, 2026: adds Hellebuyck’s statement through his agent. Kevin Cheveldayoff’s news conference remarks had not yet been published by the outlets we checked.

The Winnipeg Jets traded goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils on Friday, ending a months-long standoff that began when the three-time Vezina Trophy winner asked to be moved.

The Devils announced the deal, saying it was made by general manager Sunny Mehta, in a team release on NHL.com. Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff was scheduled to speak to reporters at 1:30 p.m. CT (12:30 p.m. MT), CBC News reported. The Jets are scheduled to host the Devils at Canada Life Centre on Nov. 10, CBC said.

In return, Winnipeg acquired centre Dawson Mercer, goalie Nico Daws, centre Nick Bjugstad, the rights to prospect Alexander Command, a 2029 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick, the NHL said. All of the picks and players came from New Jersey.

The trade came on the day Hellebuyck’s suspension, which began Sept. 16, was scheduled to end and the goalie was expected to report to the Jets, NHL.com reported. That now will not happen.

Hellebuyck, 33, spent his entire 11-year career in Winnipeg. He was drafted by the Jets in the fifth round in 2012 and won the Vezina Trophy in 2019-20, 2023-24 and 2024-25. He also won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 2024-25, when Winnipeg took the Presidents’ Trophy.

Hellebuyck made his trade request public on Aug. 27 in a statement released by agent Ray Petkau. “I believe moving on is the best path forward for me and my family,” he said. The Jets suspended him for failing to report to training camp, a dispute that, the Associated Press reported, required the involvement of the league and the NHL Players’ Association. A bid to move him in June also failed, the AP said.

Mercer, 24, was taken 18th overall by the Devils in 2020 and has played his whole career in New Jersey. He had 20 goals and 22 assists last season, according to CP24. His best year was 2022-23, when he had 27 goals and 29 assists for 56 points.

Daws, 25, has been a backup in New Jersey and has split time with the American Hockey League’s Utica Comets. He has played four games for the Devils this season, with two wins and two losses and a 2.78 goals-against average, CP24 reported. Command, 18, was selected 12th overall in the 2026 draft and has seven goals and five assists in six games with Orebro HK’s junior team in Sweden. Bjugstad, 34, has not played for the Devils this season after surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle, with a recovery time of four to six months.

In 625 NHL games, Hellebuyck has a record of 345-208-55 with a 2.58 goals-against average, a .916 save percentage and 45 shutouts, according to CP24. He backstopped the United States to Olympic gold in February, going 5-0 with a 1.18 goals-against average in the tournament, NHL.com said.

Last season was a rough one by his standards. He went 23-23-11 with a 2.86 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage, the lowest of his career, and the Jets missed the playoffs, finishing eight points behind the Los Angeles Kings for the second wild-card spot.

The Associated Press reported that Hellebuyck joins a Devils team that had struggled in goal, with Daws and Jake Allen combining for an .880 save percentage, 23rd among 32 teams. It was not immediately clear when he will be ready to play for New Jersey. He has been skating in Michigan while trade talks continued. He has five seasons left on a seven-year contract with a salary-cap hit of $8.5 million.

Winnipeg is 4-3-3 without him and has lost four straight, all by one goal, the latest a 3-2 overtime defeat in Dallas on Thursday night, The Canadian Press reported. Stuart Skinner is 3-1-3 with a 2.67 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage, and Clay Stevenson, claimed on waivers from Washington on Sept. 28, is 1-2-0. The Jets next play Sunday against the Montreal Canadiens in the Heritage Classic at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg.

In a statement released by his agent and quoted by TSN, Hellebuyck said: “Winnipeg has been my home for my entire NHL career, and I will always be grateful for my time there.” TSN reported the Devils visit Winnipeg on Nov. 10, which could mark his first game against the Jets.

TSN Winnipeg reporter Danielle Bain told CTV News the players and staff were tired of being asked about the situation. “You could feel it the last week for sure,” she said.

Earlier on Canada News Media: Hellebuyck suspension ends Friday, Jets still seek a trade , Hellebuyck still suspended as Jets await trade offer and Jets suspend Hellebuyck after camp no-show.

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Sources: NHL.com (New Jersey Devils release), The Canadian Press, CP24, CBC News, The Associated Press. Photo: Hellebuyck makes a save against the St. Louis Blues during the 2025 playoffs in Winnipeg. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Greenslade