SportsPublished Oct 23, 2026, 1:32 PM ET6 outlets

Devils Acquire Goalie Connor Hellebuyck From Jets in Trade for Mercer, Daws and Draft Picks

By Crosswire News · AI-assisted summary of reporting by the outlets linked below

Image from The Guardian US's coverage: Connor Hellebuyck traded to New Jersey as Winnipeg Jets end bitter standoff with US Olympic hero

The full story

The Winnipeg Jets traded goalie Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils on Friday in exchange for center Dawson Mercer, goalie Nico Daws, prospect Alexander Command, forward Nick Bjugstad, a 2029 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick. The 33-year-old Hellebuyck, a three-time Vezina Trophy winner and US Olympic gold medalist, spent his entire 11-year career in Winnipeg. The trade followed a months-long standoff in which Hellebuyck requested a trade and the Jets suspended him for not reporting to training camp. It was not immediately clear when he would be ready to play for New Jersey.

Right-leaning coverage, led by the New York Post, stresses the deal's scale, calling it the biggest move of GM Sunny Mehta's tenure and saying Hellebuyck gives a team with Stanley Cup hopes instant credibility in net. Left-leaning coverage, led by The Guardian US, centers on the bitter standoff and the involvement of the league and the Players' Association, and points to the Devils' .880 save percentage, ranked 23rd of 32 teams. Alternative sources ESPN and Yahoo Sports report the trade in brief, with Yahoo Sports framing it as the end of a drawn-out saga.

How the sides differ Right sources stress the deal's scale and Stanley Cup impact; left sources emphasize the standoff and Devils' goaltending numbers; alternative sources report briefly.

Headline, comparison and summary written by AI from the articles below. AI can make mistakes, so check the original articles before relying on a detail.

Left The Guardian USConnor Hellebuyck traded to New Jersey as Winnipeg Jets end bitter standoff with US Olympic hero

Leads with the end of a bitter standoff, detailing the suspension, league and Players' Association involvement, and the Devils' weak save percentage. It features the Devils' goaltending stats and GM Sunny Mehta's comments.

Alternative · 2 sources ESPNDevils acquire 3-time Vezina winner Hellebuyck from Jets

Yahoo SportsConnor Hellebuyck Trade to New Jersey Ends Drawn-Out Saga

Reports the trade briefly and factually, with ESPN leading with the Devils' acquisition and Yahoo Sports calling it the end of a drawn-out saga.

Right New York PostDevils get Connor Hellebuyck in seismic trade with Jets

Leads with the deal's scale, calling it the biggest move of GM Sunny Mehta's tenure. It stresses Hellebuyck's credibility for a team with Stanley Cup hopes and his awards and Olympic heroics.