Devils Acquire Three-Time Vezina Winner Hellebuyck

The New Jersey Devils acquired three-time Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets on Oct. 23, 2026, ending a months-long standoff. Winnipeg received Dawson Mercer, Nico Daws, Nick Bjugstad, Alexander Command, a 2029 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick. Hellebuyck won the 2025 Hart Trophy and Olympic gold with Team USA in Milan in February. He requested a trade at the end of August and was suspended for refusing to report to training camp. Bjugstad had September surgery on a torn left pectoral and is expected out until at least January. Since 2020-21, among goalies with 150-plus games, Shesterkin (.916) and Hellebuyck and Sorokin (.915) sit in the league's top four in save percentage. After practice at Canadian Tire Centre, Rangers coach Mike Sullivan said the trio will challenge shooters. He reported Sean Durzi on a maintenance day and Luke Glendening getting closer after converting a tryout to a one-year contract; Eeli Tolvanen missed practice for personal reasons. Contested: Outlets do not disagree on players, picks or date. No left-leaning coverage is in the record. Right-leaning outlets lead with a tri-state elite-goalie cluster and an Olympic-heroes reunion framing for the Devils.