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Reports say New Jersey Devils are working on a Connor Hellebuyck trade

In a very surprising development, the New Jersey Devils are reportedly working on a Connor Hellebuyck deal.
ByNick Villano
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New Jersey Devils left wing Jesper Bratt (63) scores a goal on Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the second period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
New Jersey Devils left wing Jesper Bratt (63) scores a goal on Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the second period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

For so long, many said that the New Jersey Devils make sense in a Connor Hellebuyck trade. They went into this season with Nico Daws and Jake Allen after trading Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers. Sunny Mehta, the Devils new GM, kept saying that he was totally fine with the goaltending situation and the Devils would not be making any drastic moves.

Then, the Devils started winning. They started dominating in possession, but the goaltending has not kept up. Despite a decent start from Daws on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks and Allen against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday, it was likely not considered sustainable as a whole.

Connor Hellebuyck’s three-week suspension for skipping Winnipeg’s training camp ends on Friday, which forces the Jets’ hand: take him back, pay him to stay home, or trade him. Darren Dreger says talks are escalating, and the Devils keep popping up in the chatter.

Elliotte Friedman confirmed it. The Devils are getting Team USA’s Gold Medal hero, the guy who was probably just as important to ending the American’s 36-year gold medal drought as Golden Goal scorer Jack Hughes. Now, Hughes gets to call him a teammate again. 

Plenty of us, this site included, said this wasn’t happening. We argued Hellebuyck isn’t the type of player Sunny Mehta targets, and Mehta has said he’s fine with the Allen, Daws and Rittich trio. The sticking point was money. Hellebuyck’s $8.5 million cap hit runs through 2030-31, and he holds a full no-movement clause, so he picks his destination.

Hellebuyck is a three-time Vezina winner and a Hart winner, which is exactly the upgrade this group lacks. The concerns are real, though. The Devils would pay in assets, the contract is long, and nothing is done until the Jets, a suitor and Hellebuyck all agree.

Now, nothing is done until it's done, but if Friedman, the most trusted source in hockey, has this correct, the Devils are fixing the biggest question mark about their roster and might be true contenders this season.

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