Finally, the Winnipeg Jets moved Connor Hellebuyck, and the New Jersey Devils were the team that landed him. After months of whispers and soft trade chatter, the goalie domino everyone was waiting on finally fell, and it immediately sent the speculation around New Jersey into overdrive.
That’s because this deal feels bigger than one move. New Jersey now looks positioned to chase more, and Quinn Hughes is part of the conversation.
Devils general manager Sunny Mehta used coded language, but the message was clear enough: the Hellebuyck move was tied to more than just one immediate need. Look out.
The price was real, and James Nichols has the full breakdown of the Devils trade grade. But the impact could stretch well beyond New Jersey, especially with the Penguins trying to claw back into the playoff race.
In Pittsburgh, Friday brought a different kind of scene. Dan Muse gave an answer that raised eyebrows, and it wasn’t the easy one many expected.
The Penguins also showed off a preview of their coming Hometown Remix jerseys, along with new pants and helmets. The absences and the Muse answer that some of you won’t like, all from Penguins practice.
Vince Comunale also put together a definitive history of the challenge the Penguins are facing, and the piece frames it as something unprecedented for the franchise.
There was more fallout around the league too. One Devils story that would have been big on any other day centered on defenseman Brendon Dillon, who was upset with Sportsnet for reporting that he vetoed a trade. Dillon reached out to New Jersey Hockey Now and wanted to go on the record to set his Devils story straight.
And in Detroit, NHLtraderumors.me reported that Dylan Larkin is scouting the Red Wings heavily. The reaction was clear: “I don’t think Larkin wants that scrutiny, pressure, or tax hit. But that’s my .02.”
Elsewhere, the Mike Babcock revival in Edmonton keeps rolling, and there’s also a larger trend worth watching: save percentages continue to fall.
In Other News...
Penguins Let A Hopeful Home Rally Slip Into A Frustrating Loss
A promising push from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton quickly turned into a frustrating night at home, as the Penguins fell 7-3 to Belleville in an AHL matchup that never fully swung back their way. Belleville grabbed the early edge and kept the pressure on, leaving the Penguins chasing the game before a second-period rally briefly gave the building some life.
One of the bigger swings came from an old familiar face, with former Penguin Phil Tomasino helping fuel Bellevilles attack throughout the night. In goal, Jackson Parsons also settled in for the Senators and turned aside the Penguins comeback hopes as the visitors kept control and sent Wilkes-Barre/Scranton away with a loss that felt more lopsided than it first appeared. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Still Stuck Waiting On A Real Mathew Barzal Update
The Penguins are dealing with another short-term lineup wrinkle as they head into their game against Nashville, with Evgeni Malkin unavailable because of illness. Pittsburgh called up Avery Hayes to take his place, a reminder of how quickly a late-week issue can force the club to shuffle its forward group and lean on organizational depth for a one-off game.
For a team already navigating the usual in-season attrition, the absence adds another layer of uncertainty to a lineup that has to stay flexible on the fly. Hayes gets the recall opportunity, while the broader picture remains focused on how long Pittsburgh can keep absorbing these temporary absences without it affecting the rhythm of the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Penguins Already Look Right For Walking Away From Anthony Mantha
Anthony Manthas brief stop in Pittsburgh is already looking like the kind of departure the Penguins were comfortable making. After one season with the club, he signed with the New Jersey Devils on a two-year deal, and the Pens decision not to bring him back fit with their broader aim of getting younger while avoiding a longer-term cap commitment.
The early returns in New Jersey have only sharpened that view. Mantha has been searching for the production that once made him an appealing bet, but his start has been well below the level he showed before, leaving the Devils waiting for more and giving Pittsburgh little reason to second-guess its choice to move on. [Read more 🡒]