Connor Hellebuyck didn’t need much convincing to see the New Jersey Devils as a real threat.
The goaltender, widely regarded as the best in the world, has built that reputation on a level of performance few in the analytics era can match. Since 2007, no goalie has posted a better goals saved above expected mark, and nobody active has been as consistently dominant. He has done it while facing heavier volume than most of his peers, which only sharpens the case for how high his ceiling sits.
That kind of stature comes with leverage, and Hellebuyck’s contract reflected it. The seven-year deal he signed in October of 2023 carries an $8.5 million average annual value, along with major trade protection. This season, he had a full no-movement clause, giving him complete control if he wanted out - and he did.
At first, the list of teams he was willing to join was tiny. According to Elliotte Friedman, it included just one club: the Florida Panthers, who entered 2026-27 among the favorites to win the Stanley Cup.
But when the Panthers were unwilling to put Anton Lundell into the return package, the Winnipeg Jets waited things out. Hellebuyck eventually widened his options to every team he viewed as a legitimate Cup contender, and that opened the door for New Jersey.
That choice says plenty about how the Devils are viewed around the league. Hellebuyck clearly saw them as more than a nice story or a team on the rise. He saw a group that belonged in the contender class.
There was already evidence for that before he arrived. Night after night, New Jersey was overwhelming opponents with strong underlying play. The results didn’t always show up right away, but over time they caught up to the process, and the Devils started to look like a true force in the East.
Now they have Hellebuyck behind them, and that changes the conversation completely. With the best goalie in hockey in net, New Jersey sits firmly among the league’s elite.
In Other News...
Devils May Face A Tough Cap Decision After Anthony Mantha Injury
The Devils came home from a solid 2-1-0 road trip still sitting in a strong spot in the Metropolitan Division, but the trip did not end cleanly. Anthony Mantha was injured against the Vegas Golden Knights, and while New Jersey has plenty to feel good about in the standings, the forward's situation has quickly become a concern the club has to sort through.
Sheldon Keefe said there is no update yet on Mantha's status, leaving the team to wait on both the medical and roster fronts. If the injury forces him out for any length of time, New Jersey may have to navigate a tricky salary-cap decision while trying to keep its momentum intact. [Read more 🡒]
Devils May Have Finally Found The Perfect Fit For Jack Hughes
The Devils have spent plenty of time searching for the right mix around Jack Hughes, and the early returns on the line with Arseny Gritsyuk and Jesper Bratt are hard to ignore. At 5-on-5, the trio has logged significant minutes together while driving possession and tilting the ice in New Jerseys favor in expected goals, actual goals, shot attempts and shots on goal, which is exactly the kind of sustained pressure the Devils have wanted from their top unit.
The latest snapshot came against the Vegas Golden Knights, when the line was involved in four of the teams five goals and showed how dangerous it can be when all three are clicking at once. Gritsyuk and Hughes each stood out in their own way, and the encouraging part for New Jersey is that this isnt just a short-term spark - all three are signed for at least three more seasons, giving the Devils a real chance to let the chemistry keep growing. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Face A Brutal Kucherov Question They Can't Ignore
Nikita Kucherovs reported trade request has put the Lightning in a difficult spot and immediately put the Devils on the edge of the conversation. With Tampa Bay seeking a substantial return, New Jersey has emerged as one of the teams linked to the possibility, which makes sense given the kind of talent Kucherov brings and the kind of impact he would have on a contender trying to accelerate its timeline.
The problem for the Devils is that any serious pursuit would almost certainly come with a steep price in both players and prospects, and the contract side of the equation looks just as challenging. For now, it remains speculative, with no confirmed deal in place, but the fit is obvious enough that New Jersey cannot ignore the question hanging over it. [Read more 🡒]