Hellebuyck becomes a Devil

Connor Hellebuyck got his wish. The Winnipeg Jets finally got an offer they couldn’t refuse. And a long-running sports soap opera has finally ended.

The Jets pulled off a blockbuster deal on Friday morning, shipping their disgruntled franchise goaltender to the New Jersey Devils.

The same Devils, we should point out, who will visit Winnipeg on Nov. 10.

The Jets are receiving forward Dawson Mercer, forward Nick Bjugstad, goaltender Nico Daws and prospect centre Alexander Command — a centre from Sweden who was just selected 12th-overall in the NHL draft this past June. Winnipeg will also receive a couple draft picks: a second-round selection in 2029 and a seventh-round pick in 2027.

Hellebuyck informed the organization of his trade request at the end of last season, then refused to report to training camp last month when it hadn’t been honoured.

The 33-year-old, who has won three Vezina Trophies, one Hart Trophy and an Olympic gold medal, was suspended by the Jets on Sept. 16. That was set to expire Friday — after costing Hellebuyck nearly US$1 million in forfeited salary — which really upped the urgency to get something done.

Hellebuyck had no actual interest in returning to play for Winnipeg, and it’s clear his presence was going to become a major distraction.

“Do I love the decision, do I love the way it’s dragged on? No. But we’ll handle the situation when it comes,” Jets captain Adam Lowry had said previously to Friday’s trade deal.

The Jets will now move on without Hellebuyck. The club is 4-3-3 so far this year, and new No. 1 goaltender Stuart Skinner has been stellar with a 2.67 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage in seven starts.

Clay Stevenson was plucked off waivers from the Washington Capitals to serve as Skinner’s backup and has a 3.08 GAA and .893 SV% in three games.

Mercer, 24, was the 18th-overall pick in 2020 and is a right-shot centre who can also play the wing. The Newfoundland native has 213 points (103 goals, 110 assists) in 420 NHL games, all with New Jersey. His best season came in 2022-23 when he had 27 goals and 29 assists. Mercer has just four assists in 10 games so far this year.

Bjugstad, 34, was the 19th-overall pick in 2010. The Minneapolis native, who is six-foot-six and 210 pounds, has played 821 games for eight different organizations, racking up 339 points (163G, 176A).

Daws, 25, was selected in the third round of the 2020 draft. The German has played in 59 NHL games with a 2.94 GAA and .897 SV%. Daws has a 2-2-0 record this year with a 2.78 GAA and .872 SV%.

Command, 18, went just four picks after the Jets selected fellow Swede Viggo Bjorck (who was selected eighth overall) this summer. The 12th pick of the 2026 draft already has 12 points (7G, 5A) in six games with Orebro HK of the top Swedish junior league.

winnipegfreepress.com/mikemcintyre