Winnipeg Jets trade Connor Hellebuyck to New Jersey Devils The Winnipeg Jets have traded star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils in a blockbuster deal, ending a saga that included a trade request, a suspension, and online harassment of Hellebuyck and his family. The Winnipeg Jets have traded star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils, ending a months-long saga that included a trade request, a suspension, and online harassment of Hellebuyck and his family. The trade was announced Friday. The Jets are set to host the Devils at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg on Nov. 10, when Hellebuyck could face his former team for the first time. Hellebuyck is a three-time Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL's top goaltender and the 2025 Hart Trophy winner as NHL MVP. He has made five appearances at the NHL All-Star Game.Jets Receive Players And Draft PicksHe made his debut with the Jets in November 2015 and became the face of the franchise during his time in Winnipeg. In exchange for Hellebuyck, the Jets receive forwards Dawson Mercer, Alexander Command, Nick Bjugstad and goaltender Nico Daws. Winnipeg also gets New Jersey's second-round pick in the 2029 NHL draft and seventh-round pick in the 2027 draft.Hellebuyck told the team during exit interviews at the end of last season that he wanted to be moved, general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff told reporters last month. There was speculation the request was because Hellebuyck and his family were targets of online harassment after the goalie and some Olympic teammates visited the White House.U.S. President Donald Trump gave Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the U.S.'s highest civilian honour, while anti-American sentiment was soaring in Canada due to Trump's tariffs and references to making Canada the 51st state. Cheveldayoff told reporters in September that the harassment had escalated to the point where team security and local police were involved, with increased monitoring around Hellebuyck's Winnipeg residence. Others speculated Hellebuyck's trade demands were prompted by the Jets' poor performance last season.Hellebuyck Wanted To Be MovedWhen the Jets re-signed him in 2023, it was seen as a commitment to build a squad that would consistently compete for the Stanley Cup. The Jets missed the playoffs in 2025-26 for the first time in four seasons after winning the President's Trophy for the league's best regular-season record in 2024-25. What we did was unacceptable, and no one wants to be a part of that, Hellebuyck said. The Jets suspended Hellebuyck for failing to report to training camp.Cheveldayoff said last month that the team was respecting Hellebuyck's request to keep the trade request quiet and was caught off guard when Hellebuyck went public on Aug. 27. Hellebuyck notified the team on Oct. 2 that he planned to end his absence, but the Jets chose to enforce the full three-week suspension rather than immediately reintegrate him. Cheveldayoff last month said he was in no rush to make a trade, choosing instead to wait for the right offer.New Jersey Devils Anchor CreaseHe told reporters he didn't want future assets that may or may not work out. He wanted players who could offer immediate production to support those who had committed to the team. The deal with New Jersey delivers on that goal with Mercer, Command, Bjugstad and Daws. The trade ends one of the most turbulent chapters in recent Jets history and begins a new era in New Jersey, where Hellebuyck will anchor the Devils' crease.Winnipeg now moves forward with a rebuilt roster and additional draft capital as it looks to return to playoff contention next season.