Hellebuyck Saga Nears End: Jets Working on Blockbuster Trade to Send Star Goalie to Devils
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports the Winnipeg Jets are working on a trade that would send three-time Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils, ending a standoff that began with the goalie's August trade request.
The months-long Connor Hellebuyck saga appears to be approaching its climax. Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman reported Friday morning that the Winnipeg Jets are working on a trade to send their star goaltender to the New Jersey Devils, where he would team up with fellow American Jack Hughes. TSN's Darren Dreger added that talks were escalating and the deal could go down Friday. Hellebuyck, who won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP in 2025 and owns three Vezina Trophies as the league's best goaltender, went public with his trade request in August and never reported to Winnipeg's training camp. The Jets responded with a team-imposed suspension that was set to expire Friday, when the 33-year-old could have theoretically rejoined the club. Instead, Winnipeg appears set to move him before that decision becomes necessary. Buffalo had long been considered the frontrunner — Hellebuyck reportedly approved waiving his no-trade clause for the Sabres — but the Devils have emerged as the destination in a deal that would reshape both teams' seasons.