Connor Hellebuyck finally has a new home after the Winnipeg Jets granted the three-time Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender’s trade request in a deal that sent him to the New Jersey Devils on Friday.
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that → have → Friday
The Devils sent center Dawson Mercer, goalie Nico Daws, prospect Alexander Command, forward Nick Bjugstad, a 2029 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-rounder to Winnipeg for Hellebuyck.
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Devils → send → Hellebuyck
The long-awaited blockbuster trade ends months of speculation, a failed bid to move the US Olympic gold medal-winner and 2024-25 NHL MVP in June, and the Jets’ suspension of Hellebuyck for failing to report to training camp in a standoff that required the involvement of the league and the Players’ Association.
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that → await → league
The 33-year-old Hellebuyck, who backstopped the US to Olympic gold at the Milan-Cortina Games in February, leaves Winnipeg after spending his entire 11-year career there.
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who → backstoppe → career
Hellebuyck joins Jack Hughes, who scored in overtime of the final to defeat Canada, with the Devils and immediately puts them closer to being Stanley Cup contenders.
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who → join → them
When training camp opened, new Devils general manager Sunny Mehta said he was very comfortable with the team’s goaltending situation.
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he → open → situation
Since then, Daws and Jake Allen have combined for an .880 save percentage, which ranks 23rd among 32 teams.
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which → combine → teams
It was not immediately clear how soon Hellebuyck might be ready to play for his new team.
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Hellebuyck → play → team
He has been skating in his home state of Michigan while trade talks were ongoing.
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talks → skate → Michigan
Hellebuyck has five seasons left on a seven-year contract with an annual salary cap hit of $8.5m.
He becomes the latest high-profile American to leave Canada for the United States.
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He → leave → States
In June, Ottawa dealt captain Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers, where he joined his brother Matthew.
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he → deal → brother
In December, the Vancouver Canucks traded star defenseman Quinn Hughes, a brother of Jack and teammate Luke, to the Minnesota Wild.
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Canucks → trade → Wild
The process to trade Hellebuyck became messy, especially after the goalie went public with his request to leave Winnipeg in September.
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goalie → become → September
The Jets suspended the goalie for failing to report for camp in a disciplinary move that extended into the season, with Hellebuyck not getting paid.
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Hellebuyck → suspend → season
The length of the suspension became an issue, with the league and union determining Hellebuyck would be allowed to rejoin the Jets on Friday.
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Hellebuyck → become → Friday
Instead, a move to New Jersey materialized ahead of Winnipeg hosting the outdoor Heritage Classic this weekend.
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Winnipeg → materialize → Classic
The post-Hellebuyck plans went into motion over the summer, with the Jets signing Stuart Skinner in free agency.
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Jets → go → agency
Winnipeg claimed Clay Stevenson off waivers before the season began, and their combined .907 save percentage is seventh-best in the NHL.
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percentage → claim → NHL
The Jets were second-guessed for not dealing Hellebuyck in June, when teams had more options to prioritize salary cap space to make room to acquire the goalie.
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teams → guess → goalie
The Sabres were among the teams expressing interest in Hellebuyck and were preparing to package a deal that included swapping first-round draft picks – Buffalo had the No 4 selection and Winnipeg had the eighth.
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Winnipeg → express → eighth
The challenge for Winnipeg became finding a willing trade partner to acquire a goalie with a high price tag and a lengthy contract well after most teams had set their rosters and had little salary cap space to work with.
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teams → become → space
Another question mark involved Hellebuyck’s age and track record of following regular-season success with a spotty playoff record.
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mark → involve → record
After Hellebuyck went 9-8 in leading the Jets to the Western Conference finals in his playoff debut in 2018, he has gone 15-26 since, with the Jets advancing to the second round just twice in their next six playoff appearances.
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Jets → go → appearances
In four first-round exits, Hellebuyck had a combined 5-15 record.
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Hellebuyck → have → record
Leading Winnipeg to the Presidents’ Trophy and winning the Hart Trophy as MVP, Hellebuyck recorded a career-best 47 wins, then went 6-7 in the playoffs as the Jets were eliminated by Dallas in the second round.
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Jets → lead → round
With a 345-208-55 regular-season record, Hellebuyck ranks 27th in career wins on the NHL list and fifth among US-born players.
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Hellebuyck → rank → players
Among US-born goalies with 300 or more career starts, his .916 save percentage ranks fourth and his 2.58 goals-against average ranks sixth.
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average → bear → starts
The Aporia
