Hellebuyck trade proof Devils, new GM believe they can win Cup now 

NEWARK, N.J. -- The acquisition of goalie Connor Hellebuyck represents more than a dramatic change of direction for the New Jersey Devils and general manager Sunny Mehta.

It's the clearest indication yet that he and they believe their time to win the Stanley Cup is now.

New Jersey acquired the 33-year-old goalie, a three-time Vezina Trophy winner, and Hart Trophy recipient with five seasons remaining on a contract with an $8.5 million average annual value, in a trade with the Winnipeg Jets on Friday.

The Devils paid a considerable price -- forwards Dawson Mercer and Nick Bjugstad, goalie Nico Daws, the rights to unsigned draft choice Alexander Command, New Jersey’s second-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft and its seventh-round selection in the 2027 NHL Draft.

It’s a substantial package, but the Devils made the trade without surrendering a first-round pick or one of the foundational players they believe can help them contend with Hellebuyck, Winnipeg's all-time leader among goalies in games played, starts and wins.

He has a 345-208-55 record with a 2.58 goals-against average, .916 save percentage and 45 shutouts in 625 NHL games.

That resume alone explains why the move doesn't necessarily contradict Mehta's philosophy as much as it initially appears.

"I would say it signals, in my view, even though it's a bigger magnitude trade, it does signal what I think has been our process since I got here, which is everything is about winning," Mehta said Saturday. "Everything is trying to make this team better every single day. That's been my goal since I got here."

When discussing his goaltending plan with NHL.com before the season, the first-year GM emphasized the unpredictability of the position and his reluctance to invest significant resources in it. But Hellebuyck is not a typical goaltending investment. His lengthy record of elite performance provides a degree of certainty that few at the position can offer.

The move also addresses a weakness on a roster that otherwise appears capable of contending.

"It obviously makes us a better team, in my view," Mehta said. "So, I don't if there's a sentiment that, 'Oh, well, now all of a sudden, the Devils are contenders.' If you think that now, I don't think you shouldn't have thought that two days ago. That's kind of what I think. I think it improves our team, of course, significantly, that's why we made the trade, but in my view, I was thrilled about the team we had coming out of training camp and I'm still thrilled about the team."

The Devils (6-4-0) are fourth in the Metropolitan Division and have averaged 3.30 goals per game, but their .876 team save percentage is tied for 23rd in the NHL. Jake Allen is 4-2-0 with a 3.15 goals-against average and .883 save percentage. Daws was 2-2-0 with a 2.78 GAA and .874 save percentage before the trade.

The numbers were probably concerning to Mehta considering the Devils had controlled play in many of their games, demonstrating an ability to protect their goalies. They limited the Anaheim Ducks to a season-low 17 shots on goal in a 4-1 win Thursday. Hellebuyck gives them a proven goalie capable of turning that improved defensive commitment into consistent results.

Hellebuyck is coming off the worst statistical season of his NHL career, going 23-23-11 with a 2.86 GAA and .895 save percentage in 57 starts in 2025-26. In 2024-25, however, he led the League with 47 wins, a 2.00 GAA and eight shutouts while producing a .925 save percentage.

"You want to bet on a person that has a large sample size of excellent results, who's on a good cap hit," Mehta said. "That's literally the three things that hit Connor."

The Devils are betting that the goalie who dominated in 2024-25 is closer to the real Hellebuyck than the one who struggled last season. They are also giving him a favorable environment in which to rebound and a defense featuring Luke Hughes, Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce, Jonas Siegenthaler and Johnathan Kovacevic that should not require him to rescue the team every night.

After Daws made 16 saves in the win against the Ducks on Thursday, coach Sheldon Keefe said, "We have a role to play in front of our goaltenders to make their job easier and I think we've held fort there for sure recently."

The other part of the equation is the curious future of Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes, the older brother of Devils center Jack Hughes and defenseman Luke.

Quinn has said the Wild are a team he could envision staying with, and Minnesota management has made retaining him its top priority. He is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, 2027, following the final season of his contract that has a $7.85 million average annual value. He has been eligible to sign a new contract with Minnesota since July 1.

Jack Hughes, Quinn Hughes and Hellebuyck were all teammates on the Olympic gold-medal winning Team USA in February, Jack and Hellebuyck being the stars of the gold medal game against Canada.  

The Hellebuyck trade could make New Jersey more appealing by demonstrating the organization is prepared to build a contender around his brothers.

On top of that, the Devils are starving for sustained success.

New Jersey has failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs 11 times in the past 14 seasons. The Devils haven’t reached the postseason in consecutive years since completing a run of 13 straight appearances in 2009-10.

Though acquiring Hellebuyck may not guarantee another blockbuster move, it establishes something more immediate for the Devils. who should no longer view goaltending as a position of uncertainty.

"From our perspective, we haven't had any issues from our goaltenders," Mehta said. "Obviously, I think long term, this move signifies what we think is an upgrade to our goaltending tandem now."