Winnipeg traded three-time Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for forwards Dawson Mercer and Nick Bjugstad, goaltender Nico Daws, the rights to unsigned forward Alexander Command (12th overall in 2026), and two draft picks (a 7th-rounder in 2027 & a 2nd-rounder in 2029).The trade comes on the day Hellebuyck’s suspension, which began September 16, was scheduled to come to an end with the goalie expected to report to the team.
Hellebuyck spent 11 seasons with the Jets, and in 2024-25 became just the eighth goaltender in league history to win both the Hart and Vezina Trophies in the same season. On the international circuit, last season Hellebuyck backstopped Team USA’s gold-medal victory at the 2026 Winter Olympics, going 5-0 with a 1.18 goals-against average and .956 save percentage in five games.
With respect to the Jets’ return, Mercer is a 24-year-old pivot who has scored 20 goals 3 times in his 5-year career.while the 34-year-old Bjugstad has not played this season due to an upper-body injury. Bjugstad has 339 points (163G 176A) in his 821-game career. The 25-year-old Daws was part of the Devils’ goaltending tandem alongside Jake Allen, and has posted an .897 save percentage in 59 NHL games. Command has split time in Sweden’s top junior and professional leagues this season, registering 12 points (7G 5A) in 6 junior games, and is pointless in 6 SHL contests.
