Hellebuyck will be ‘rock’ in goal, Devils say after blockbuster trade

NEWARK, N.J. -- Jack Hughes understands why the trade has created so much noise.

The New Jersey Devils center believes the acquisition of Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets deserves every bit of it.

"There should be a lot of noise about it," Hughes said. "It's a huge splash for our team, our market. It shows us that our ownership and our management is putting the pieces together to give us a great opportunity to win every night."

The Devils acquired Hellebuyck from the Jets on Friday for forwards Dawson Mercer and Nick Bjugstad, goalie Nico Daws, the rights to unsigned forward Alexander Command, New Jersey’s second-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft and its seventh-round selection in the 2027 NHL Draft.

The challenge for New Jersey was turning down the volume long enough to play. One day after the trade, they completed an unbeaten homestand (3-0-0) with a 3-1 win against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. That has provided positive momentum before beginning a three-game road trip at the Dallas Stars on Tuesday and welcoming one of the NHL's premier goalies into the group.

Hughes already knows what Hellebuyck can bring. The two played together for the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics and won the gold medal. What stood out to Hughes was the preparation and mentality behind Hellebuyck's performance.

"Just extremely dialed in, extremely focused," Hughes said. "A guy that wants to carry the mail, wants to kind of put the team on his back. I'm sure there's going to be a lot of nights where we're going to have to rely on him and on Jake (Allen)."

The Olympic connection also provided Hellebuyck with an early appreciation for what Hughes could deliver in a defining moment. Hellebuyck was in goal when Hughes scored 1:41 into overtime of a 2-1 win against Canada that secured gold for the Americans, creating a shared memory they now bring to New Jersey.

Hughes was asked if it will be special to pursue a Stanley Cup with a player with whom he celebrated an Olympic gold medal?

"I'm not thinking about that," he said. "I had a lot of great memories with him over the Olympics and I'm really excited for our group that he's with us now and we can work at our game and see where we can go."

Hughes said Hellebuyck's decision to waive his no-trade protection sent a meaningful message.

"He obviously believes in our group," Hughes said. "Just talking with him, he's extremely excited to join our group. We're really excited as a team to have him here, and I'm sure our fans are too."

Defenseman Brenden Dillon had an even closer view of Hellebuyck's approach. Dillon played three seasons with Hellebuyck in Winnipeg (2021-24) and described the goalie as methodical, confident and committed to a routine that has sustained his success.

"He trusts himself. He trusts his process, whether that's stuff in the gym, his time on the ice," Dillon said. "He loves to touch the puck back there, which is great for the defense. I told him I'm just not going to cross the blue, and he can break everything out on his own."

Dillon said Hellebuyck's presence should spread confidence throughout the roster.

"To have a rock like Hellebuyck back there, it's going to be hard to beat," he said. "He's such a big goaltender. He battles so hard. You can kind of see it in practice, how it exudes into games."

Dillon also understands the personal side of moving from Winnipeg to New Jersey. His wife reached out to Hellebuyck's wife with advice about neighborhoods and family life. With each family having two children of similar ages, Dillon expects the transition to be smooth.

"If you know ‘Helle,’ all he wants to do is win," Dillon said. "For him coming here, he just instantly makes us better. We're 1-0 in the Hellebuyck era here at the Devils."

Allen, who has started seven of New Jersey’s 11 games in goal, sensed the impact of Hellebuyck's presence immediately.

"You could just feel the buzz," Allen said. "When you get an NHL MVP traded to your team, it doesn't happen very often. We're very fortunate."

Hellebuyck played his first 11 NHL seasons with Winnipeg and is the Jets/Atlanta Thrashers franchise leader in games played by a goalie (625), starts (615), wins (345) and shutouts (45). He won the Vezina Trophy as the best goalie in the NHL three times (2019-20, 2023-24, 2024-25) and the Hart Trophy as League MVP once (2024-25).

Allen made clear he is prepared to support Hellebuyck and play whenever needed, giving the Devils an experienced tandem and flexibility in managing each goalie's workload.

Defenseman Brett Pesce has faced Hellebuyck since their college days in Hockey East. Pesce played three seasons at the University of New Hampshire, while Hellebuyck starred for UMass Lowell before entering the NHL.

"I've been playing against him since I was in college," Pesce said. "It's nice to have him on my side for once."

Nico Hischier was excited about adding Hellebuyck but also recognized how difficult it was to lose Daws and Mercer.

"It was definitely a weird day," Hischier said. "Obviously, we've got a great goalie coming in here. I think he definitely doesn't need any introduction for what he can bring to the team. On the other side, you see some guys leaving the other way, and that’s also sometimes not easy."

Still, Hischier understands what the addition could mean.

"We're obviously excited to have Connor in here," he said. "I think everybody knows what he can bring and how he can help our group."