The long-running standoff between the Winnipeg Jets and star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck came to an end Friday as the club traded the three-time Vezina Trophy winner to the New Jersey Devils in a blockbuster deal.
New Jersey’s Stanley Cup futures odds skyrocketed to 14-1 from 25-1 at popular NHL betting site, bet365, once the trade became official. Hellebuyck is also 9-1 to win the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top netminder, despite already missing nearly a month of play.
New Jersey Devils to win the Stanley Cup
Winnipeg has long 140-1 odds to win the Stanley Cup this season after trading its franchise goaltender away.
Hellebuyck trade details
In exchange for the 33-year-old native of Commerce, Mich., the Jets acquired forward Dawson Mercer, goaltender Nico Daws, forward Nick Bjugstad, prospect Alexander Command, a 2029 second-round draft pick, and a 2027 seventh-round selection.
The trade brings a conclusion to a turbulent chapter in Manitoba. Hellebuyck publicly requested a trade in August, two seasons after signing a seven-year contract extension with Winnipeg. The relationship soured further when he failed to report to training camp in September, prompting the Jets to issue a team suspension that was set to expire Friday.
“We felt this move was in the best long-term interest of our organization,” Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said during a press conference following the announcement. “Acquiring a core player in Dawson, a young goaltender, and draft capital allows us to stay competitive while planning for the future.”
In Hellebuyck, New Jersey gets a proven franchise netminder to anchor its championship ambitions. The veteran goalie carries an $8.5-million annual salary cap hit through the 2030-31 season. Over 11 seasons in Winnipeg, Hellebuyck compiled a 2.58 goals-against average, a .916 save percentage, and 45 shutouts across 515 regular-season games.
The move immediately upgrades a Devils goaltending tandem that struggled early in the 2026-27 campaign. New Jersey netminders held a combined .880 save percentage through their opening 10 games.
Heading to Winnipeg, Mercer represents the centerpiece of the return for the Jets. The 24-year-old forward was selected 18th overall by New Jersey in the 2020 NHL draft and has recorded consistent top-six production throughout his early career.
Daws, a 25-year-old keeper, has split time between the NHL and AHL in recent seasons, posting a 2-2-0 record with a 2.78 goals-against average in four appearances with the Devils this year. Command, 18, was New Jersey’s first-round selection (12th overall) in the 2026 NHL draft and is currently playing in Sweden. Bjugstad, 34, is recovering from surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle and remains on long-term injured reserve.
The trade sets up an early reunion, with the Jets scheduled to host Hellebuyck and the Devils at Canada Life Centre on Nov. 10.
Connor Hellebuyck to win the Vezina Trophy
Stanley Cup futures odds (top 10)
| Carolina Hurricanes | +650 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +700 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +800 |
| Florida Panthers | +850 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +900 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +1000 |
| Washington Capitals | +1100 |
| Minnesota Wild | +1200 |
| New Jersey Devils | +1400 |
| Dallas Stars | +1600 |
