Devils Trade for Three-Time Vezina Winner Hellebuyck in Stanley Cup Push
NEWARK, N.J. — The New Jersey Devils acquired goaltender Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets on October 23. The 33-year-old, a three-time Vezina Trophy winner and Hart Trophy recipient, has five seasons remaining on a contract with an $8.5 million average annual value. New Jersey sent forwards Dawson Mercer and Nick Bjugstad, goalie Nico Daws, the rights to unsigned draft choice Alexander Command, a second-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft and a seventh-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft to Winnipeg.
Hellebuyck has a 345-208-55 record with a 2.58 goals-against average, a .916 save percentage and 45 shutouts in 625 NHL games, and is Winnipeg's all-time leader among goalies in games played, starts and wins. In 2024-25 he led the NHL with 47 wins, a 2.00 GAA, eight shutouts and a .925 save percentage; at the February 2026 Winter Olympics he helped the United States beat Canada for gold.
The Devils (6-4-0) are fourth in the Metropolitan Division and average 3.30 goals per game, but their .876 team save percentage is tied for 23rd in the NHL. First-year general manager Sunny Mehta had emphasized reluctance to invest heavily in goaltending, but Hellebuyck's long record of elite performance changed the calculus. New Jersey has missed the playoffs 11 times in the past 14 seasons.
Source: GSM·America
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：门将 Connor Hellebuyck（2024年资料图）。摄影：Jenn G，CC BY-SA 2.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: goaltender Connor Hellebuyck in 2024, by Jenn G, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
