Trade to Devils ‘just going to fit perfectly’ for Hellebuyck

NEWARK, N.J. -- Connor Hellebuyck is ready to play hockey again, embrace a new challenge and pursue the one accomplishment still missing from his decorated career.

The 33-year-old goalie expressed excitement Saturday about beginning the next chapter with the New Jersey Devils, one day after he was acquired in a trade with the Winnipeg Jets. Hellebuyck did not report to training camp last month after requesting a trade during the offseason.

"Sitting at home for so long was getting to me, so I'm just really excited to play hockey again, and I'm joining a very skilled group," Hellebuyck said during his introductory press conference at Prudential Center. "I know that they're bringing me in for a certain specific role, and I'm really excited to try to fill that role -- not only on the ice, but off the ice as well.

"There's nothing to not be excited about. It's a new chapter for my career, and I'm really excited for the future here."

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 (2020, 2024, 2025) and the Hart Trophy as League MVP once (2024-25 season).

After months of uncertainty, Hellebuyck said the opportunity to join the Devils aligns with his priorities at this stage of his career.

"I'm here to win, and the only thing I've got left (to fill) on my resume is a Stanley Cup," he said. "Seeing that these guys have their vision tight on that as well, it's just going to fit perfectly."

The Devils have failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs 11 times in the past 14 seasons, but Hellebuyck said New Jersey was an acceptable destination under his no-trade clause because of its skill, size on defense and management's commitment to building a championship team.

"You look for a few key factors," he said. "You look for the skill, the scoring and the habits, and you look for some size on the back end, which they have. Then you just look for an organization that's willing to do whatever it takes, and I think they have that as well.

"I'm excited about what I can bring, and I'm excited to be part of this journey."

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.

Sunny Mehta, who was hired as Devils general manager April 16, said the trade reflected the team’s commitment to bringing the Stanley Cup to New Jersey for the first time since 2003.

"Everything is about winning," Mehta said. "Everything is trying to make this team better every single day. That's been my goal since I got here."

Hellebuyck has not played an NHL game this season but said he maintained a demanding training schedule in Michigan with NHL free agent forwards Robby Fabbri and Antonio Stranges. He described the past month as an extended training camp in which he was able to concentrate on the details of his game.

He acknowledged that practicing at NHL speed with a full roster will be important, but he doesn't anticipate needing an extended adjustment period.

"I think at this point in my career, it's not going to take me long," Hellebuyck said. "You adapt and you adapt quick. We have some experience under our belt. There's a lot of skill here, and I feel like my role fits perfectly here."

Coach Sheldon Keefe said the team will evaluate Hellebuyck before determining when he’ll make his Devils debut.

New Jersey (6-4-0) hosts the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET; ABTV, MSGSN, SN1, SN) before a three-game road trip that begins Tuesday at the Dallas Stars.

The Devils visit Winnipeg on Nov. 10.

"He's quite dialed into his plan and where he's at, and he's been working incredibly hard," Keefe said. "The medical team will get a sense of where he is. It seems like he's in a really good place."

When ready, Hellebuyck will form a tandem with Jake Allen, 36, each able to provide a meaningful voice in a dressing room built around younger core players. 

"Our job is always simple at heart, right? It's just stop pucks, get in the way," Hellebuyck said. "In the locker room, we're two older guys now and veterans, and I think our voice carries a little bit of weight."

Hellebuyck already has a strong relationship with Devils center Jack Hughes after each helped Team USA win the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in February. Hellebuyck was 5-0 with a 1.18 goals-against average and .956 save percentage in five Olympic games. 

They also skate together during the offseason.

Hellebuyck said the experience in Milan reinforced the value of trusting teammates, managing pressure and resisting the urge to do too much.

"I'd like to try to get my foot solidified in there and let the guys know that I care about them and I'm here to battle with them," Hellebuyck said. "I've learned a lot about the pressure and just doing your job. I've been trying to dial that in for years, and I think I'm at a really good place now."

Hellebuyck also welcomes the responsibility of playing for an organization identified closely with Hockey Hall of Fame goalie Martin Brodeur, who won the Stanley Cup here three times (1995, 2000, 2003) and has since become the Devils’ executive vice president of hockey operations.

"Following a legacy of Marty Brodeur, I'm going to honor that," he said. "I'm going to cherish every moment of it. I know I'll be face to face with him at some point, and I'm going to pick his brain."

The move ends a complex final chapter in Winnipeg, where Hellebuyck became the face of the franchise and built deep connections with the city and its fans. He declined to give a full farewell Saturday because the Jets were preparing to play the Montreal Canadiens in the in the 2026 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg on Sunday (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, SN, TNT, truTV, HBO MAX), but he said a longer message will come after that.

"There's a lot that I need to say," Hellebuyck said. "But they have the Heritage game coming up, so out of respect for them and for the celebration of hockey, I'm going to postpone that to a later date.

"I hope they know I care about them."

NHL.com staff writer David Satriano contributed to this report