Connor Hellebuyck’s trade market is already taking shape, and the New Jersey Devils have worked their way into the conversation as a team that could make a serious run at him.
The Devils just added Luke Evangelista from the Nashville Predators a couple of days ago, and that move only sharpened the idea that they are one major upgrade away from looking like a true contender. With Anthony Mantha also in the mix and new general manager Sunny Mehta adding depth around the roster, New Jersey has the kind of lineup that could make a goaltender think twice. Hellebuyck, with his no-movement clause, would have complete control over where he lands, and the Devils could appeal to him as the last piece of the puzzle.
Of course, this is still a hypothetical. There is an expectation that Hellebuyck will be traded, but there is no indication the Devils and Jets have talked, and nothing suggests a deal is close.
Still, if you’re drawing up a mock trade, New Jersey makes sense as a fit. The Devils would still have work to do to clear cap space, likely moving Nick Bjugstad for a mid-round pick somewhere. Winnipeg, meanwhile, probably wouldn’t be interested in retaining any of Hellebuyck’s $8.5 million cap hit, which means New Jersey would need to send money out in a separate move rather than treating it like a simple cap dump.
The proposed framework is a hefty one:
Devils receive: G Connor Hellebuyck
Jets receive: C/RW Dawson Mercer, G Nico Daws, D Seamus Casey, Devils’ own first-round pick
That’s the kind of package that reflects just how valuable Hellebuyck is. He’s viewed as arguably the best goaltender in the league, and even with the trade request out in the open, Winnipeg isn’t handing him over for pennies.
Mercer would headline the return as a young forward who can score and produce. He had 20 goals and 22 assists for 42 points in 82 games last season, and he has 209 points in 410 career games.
Daws would give the Jets a backup behind Stuart Skinner, since a move for Hellebuyck would leave him with no real path to a full-time NHL job in New Jersey. Casey brings a right-shot blue-line option with some NHL experience already; in 16 games, he has four goals and four assists for eight points.
The first-round pick is the other major piece, and the Devils have enough flexibility to decide whether they want to part with their own 2027 or 2028 selection. They could bet on themselves and send the 2027 pick, or attach a condition that pushes it to 2028 depending on success.
There’s plenty of interest expected in Hellebuyck, and New Jersey looks like a legitimate destination. Whether the Devils actually end up landing him remains to be seen, but it would not be a surprise if they did.
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Mercer is an obvious name to watch because he has been part of the Devils since 2021-22 and has shown enough talent to stay in the conversation, even if his production has not always been steady. The upcoming season could matter as much for evaluation as it does for results, with New Jersey likely wanting a clearer read on whether he is the kind of player worth committing to on a long deal. If Mercer takes a step, the Devils choice gets simpler, but if the inconsistency lingers, the decision could become a lot more complicated. [Read more 🡒]
Hurricanes Suddenly Linked To A Goalie Move Fans Can't Ignore
The conversation around Connor Hellebuyck has widened beyond Winnipeg and now includes several contenders that would feel the ripple effects if the Jets ever decided to move their star goalie. Among the clubs mentioned are Buffalo, Carolina and New Jersey, with the discussion centered on what kind of return could justify dealing a player of that caliber, including prospects and draft capital. It is the sort of offseason chatter that starts as speculation and quickly becomes a leaguewide talking point once a name that big is in play.
For the Devils, the interest is obvious because goaltending is one of the few areas that can reshape a season in a hurry, and any plausible path to upgrading there will draw attention. The broader analysis from Murat Ates and Anthony Di Marco does not point to a deal as imminent, but it does put New Jersey in the same conversation as some of the other teams that would be watching closely if Winnipeg ever seriously entertained offers. For now, it is more a map of possibilities than a deal on the horizon, which is enough to keep Devils fans reading every twist. [Read more 🡒]
Timo Meier Suddenly Has No Excuse In New Devils Experiment
Timo Meiers first two seasons in New Jersey have left the Devils looking for a better return on an eight-year commitment that was supposed to bring consistent top-end production. His goal totals have slid each year, which has only sharpened the scrutiny around how the club deploys him and whether his game can be nudged back toward the level that made him such an attractive long-term bet in the first place.
Luke Evangelista is the latest attempt to solve that puzzle. New Jersey acquired the skilled winger with the hope that his passing touch and offensive instincts can help spark Meier the way he once helped fuel a scoring surge for Steven Stamkos, giving the Devils a new look around a player who suddenly has fewer excuses to settle for the same results. [Read more 🡒]