WINNIPEG, Oct. 23, 2026 – The Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club announced today they have acquired forwards Dawson Mercer, Alexander Command, Nick Bjugstad, goaltender Nico Daws, New Jersey’s second-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft, and New Jersey’s seventh-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft in exchange for goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
Mercer, 24, has played 10 games for New Jersey this season and has four assists. The Carbonear, N.L. native has appeared in 420 career NHL games over the past six seasons for the Devils and recorded 213 points (103G, 110A) and 120 penalty minutes. Mercer, New Jersey’s first-round pick (18th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft, has also skated in 17 career playoff games and posted nine points (5G, 4A) and 10 PIMs.
Mercer has represented Canada internationally on numerous occasions, highlighted by winning gold at the 2020 World Junior Championships and collecting silver medals at the 2021 World Juniors and the 2022 World Championships.
Command, 18, was New Jersey’s first-round pick (12th overall) in the 2026 NHL Draft and he has played six games for Orebro HK in the Swedish League this season. The Stockholm, Sweden native has also skated in six games for Orebro HK’s junior team and has posted 12 points (7G, 5A) and 10 PIMs. Command won a gold medal with Sweden at the 2026 World U-18 Championships where he tallied seven points (3G, 4A) in seven games.
Daws, 25, has played four games for the Devils this season and posted a 2-2-0 record with a 2.78 goals-against average and a .874 save percentage. The Munich, Germany native was New Jersey’s third-round pick (84th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft and has compiled a 26-26-1 record in 59 career NHL games and posted a shutout, a 2.94 GAA and a .897 SV%.
Daws has also represented Canada internationally and was a teammate of Mercer’s on the Canadian squad that won the gold medal at the 2020 World Juniors.
Bjugstad, 34, is currently recovering from surgery, but he played 61 games for New Jersey and the St. Louis Blues in 2025-26 and recorded nine points (6G, 3A) and 33 PIMs. The Blaine, Minn. native has played 821 career NHL games for eight teams and posted 339 points (163G, 176A) and 377 PIMs. Bjugstad, Florida’s first-round pick (19th overall) in the 2010 NHL Draft also has eight points (6G, 2A) and 22 PIMs in 27 career playoff games.
Internationally, Bjugstad has played for the United States on multiple occasions. He won bronze medals at the 2011 World Juniors and the 2013 World Championships.
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