The New Jersey Devils took a huge step toward Stanley Cup contention after they completed a trade for Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck on Friday.
- Hellebuyck had not played for Winnipeg this season after being suspended for missing training camp.
- The star goalie won the NHL’s MVP trophy in 2025.
- DraftKings raised New Jersey's implied championship probability from 3.9% to 6.7%.
Hellebuyck is one of the NHL's most decorated active goaltenders. He has won three Vezina Trophies as the league's top goalie and a Hart Memorial Trophy as its most valuable player.
The Jets had fielded trade offers for the 33-year-old but had yet to find a deal they liked. That changed Friday when New Jersey sent forwards Dawson Mercer and Nick Bjugstad, goaltender Nico Daws, prospect Alexander Command, a 2027 seventh-round pick, and a 2029 second-rounder to Winnipeg.
Buyck’d around and found our guy. https://t.co/QWnlKQ0O1B
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) October 23, 2026
The Devils sit eighth in the Eastern Conference at 6-4-0. They have allowed the eighth-most goals in the conference during the young season, more than all but two teams ahead of them in the conference. Those two clubs, the Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs, both played two more games.
The Devils' Stanley Cup odds shortened from +2,500 before the trade to +1,400 at DraftKings on Friday, increasing their implied championship probability from 3.9% to 6.7%.
Eight teams remain ahead of the Devils in championship odds.
- Carolina Hurricanes +600
- Colorado Avalanche +700
- Tampa Bay Lightning +800
- Edmonton Oilers +800
- Florida Panthers +850
- Vegas Golden Knights +900
- Washington Capitals +1,100
- Minnesota Wild +1,200
The Dallas Stars are tied with the Devils at +1,400.
Devils hot on Stanley Cup trail
Other sportsbooks have a similar perspective on the Devils’ championship outlook.
BetMGM currently lists the Devils at +1,500 but valued them at +3,000 when odds were first released and at +3,300 the night before the season opener, according to Sports Odds History. Both ranked 13th in the league.
Hellebuyck was suspended by the Jets after failing to report to training camp while seeking a trade. He is in the third year of a seven-year, $59.5-million contract.
Hellebuyck forfeited approximately $928,000 in salary during his suspension, which was scheduled to end Friday.
Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff previously said the team arranged extra security for Hellebuyck after the goalie helped the United States defeat Canada in the Olympic gold-medal game. Hellebuyck had reported receiving online threats.
Meanwhile, first-year Devils GM Sunny Mehta has shown a willingness to make major moves. He previously traded goaltender Jacob Markstrom and forward Angus Crookshank to Florida in a deal for three forwards.
The Jets and Devils will face each other twice this season. The first matchup will take place north of the border Nov. 10, and the rematch will occur 18 days later.
Hellebuyck did not have Hart Memorial Trophy odds available on DraftKings at the time of publication.
