Connor Hellebuyck Trade Bolsters Devils, Creates Goaltending Gauntlet in Metropolitan Division

The New Jersey Devils have acquired goaltender Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets in a significant trade, reshaping the goaltending landscape of the Metropolitan Division. The deal, which sent forwards Dawson Mercer and Alexander Command, goaltender Nico Daws, forward Nick Bjugstad, and future draft picks (a 2027 seventh-rounder and a 2029 second-rounder) to Winnipeg, brings one of the league's premier netminders to the tri-state area.

This move ensures that the New York and New Jersey area will host arguably the three best goaltenders in the sport: Hellebuyck, the New York Rangers' Igor Shesterkin (expected to return from injury next season), and the New York Islanders' Ilya Sorokin. Teams navigating the Metropolitan Division schedule will now face this formidable trio during their New York-New Jersey road trips.

The Capitals also feature Logan Thompson, a goaltender with a career .911 save percentage, in their net.

Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan acknowledged the heightened competition, stating, “I mean, Sorokin, Hellebuyck, Shesterkin, it’s a lot of good goalie [play]. There’s a lot of good goalies. It’s going to challenge our shooters.”

Since the 2020-21 season, when Sorokin debuted in the NHL, these three goaltenders, alongside Ottawa's Linus Ullmark and Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy, have consistently ranked among the league leaders in save percentage for goalies with at least 150 games played. While Shesterkin holds the highest save percentage at .916, Hellebuyck and Sorokin are tied with Vasilevskiy at .915.

Regarding goals against average since the 2020-21 season, Shesterkin leads the group with a 2.51 average. Hellebuyck follows closely at 2.55, with Sorokin at 2.58.

The acquisition of Hellebuyck marks the end of a prolonged trade saga for the 33-year-old netminder, who had requested a trade from Winnipeg after the Jets missed the playoffs last season. Despite having five seasons remaining on his contract, Hellebuyck, his agent, and the Jets publicly confirmed the trade request in late August. His subsequent refusal to report to training camp led to a team-imposed suspension.

Hellebuyck, who was named the best goaltender in the world after helping Team USA win Olympic gold in Milan in February, now transitions to the East Coast.

In related team news, forward Luke Glendening, signed to a one-year contract after a professional tryout, is nearing his debut with the Rangers. Head coach Mike Sullivan indicated the team is taking a day-by-day approach to his integration. Defenseman Sean Durzi missed practice for "maintenance" for the second consecutive day, with Sullivan stating a decision on his availability for the next game would be made after assessing his condition. Forward Eeli Tolvanen was absent from practice due to personal reasons.