Who comes out ahead in the Hellebuyck trade? Grading the Devils vs. Jets
The Devils landed Connor Hellebuyck from the Jets for a package headlined by Dawson Mercer and Nick Bjugstad. ESPN grades the deal: Devils A, Jets B+.
The New Jersey Devils landed one of hockey's biggest prizes on Friday, acquiring three-time Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a package headlined by forwards Dawson Mercer and Nick Bjugstad.
Along with Mercer and Bjugstad, the Jets received goaltender Nico Daws, prospect center Alexander Command, a 2027 seventh-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick. Hellebuyck, who also won the Hart Trophy in 2025, had his suspension from the Jets end Friday with the trade.
ESPN's Ryan S. Clark gave the Devils an A for the deal. New Jersey general manager Sunny Mehta moved to solve a goaltending problem despite the team owning a 59.74% shot share in 5-on-5 play, one of the league's best marks. The Devils entered Friday holding the second and final Eastern Conference wild-card spot with Jake Allen and Daws in net.
The Jets earned a B+. Clark noted that scoring remains an issue for Winnipeg, which relied on Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele and Gabriel Vilardi for 40% of its goals. Mercer, who has one year of team control left after this season, along with Bjugstad, Daws and Command — the 12th pick in the 2026 draft — gives the Jets a mix of present help and future assets.
Source: ESPN — Top Headlines — TrendWire reports stories in its own words; facts should be confirmed against the original source.