The New Jersey Devils have acquired veteran goaltender Connor Hellebuyck in a significant trade with the Winnipeg Jets, strengthening the team's netminder lineup and intensifying competition within the Metropolitan Division. The deal, completed on Friday, sent forwards Dawson Mercer, Nick Bjugstad, Nico Daws, Alexander Command, a seventh-round pick in 2027, and a second-round pick in 2029 to Winnipeg in exchange for the 33-year-old goalie.
With Hellebuyck’s addition, the tri-state area now boasts arguably the top three goaltenders in the NHL: Hellebuyck, New York Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin, and New York Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin. When Shesterkin returns from a season-ending knee injury next season, opposing teams will face a formidable challenge during their visits to New York and New Jersey arenas. The division also features Logan Thompson in Washington, who holds a career save percentage of .911, further highlighting the area’s depth in goal.
Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan acknowledged the high level of goaltending in the division following a team practice in Ottawa on Friday, noting that facing such elite goaltenders will be a challenge for their offensive players. Since Sorokin’s NHL debut in the 2020-21 season, the trio ranks among the league’s best, with Shesterkin and Hellebuyck tied for first and second in save percentage alongside Linus Ullmark and Andrei Vasilevskiy. Shesterkin holds a .916 save percentage, while Hellebuyck and Sorokin are closely behind at .915. In goals-against average over the same timeframe, Shesterkin leads with 2.51, followed narrowly by Hellebuyck at 2.55 and Sorokin at 2.58.
The trade marks the conclusion of a protracted period for Hellebuyck in Winnipeg. After the Jets missed the playoffs last season, Hellebuyck publicly requested a trade despite having five seasons remaining on his contract. His decision to skip training camp resulted in a suspension imposed by the Jets. Hellebuyck, who earned recognition as the best goaltender in the world after winning Olympic gold with Team USA in Milan in February, will now bring his experience to the Devils organization on the East Coast.
Elsewhere, the Rangers are managing player availability as defenseman Sean Durzi missed his second consecutive practice designated as a maintenance day. Head coach Sullivan expressed uncertainty about Durzi’s status for Saturday’s game against the Ottawa Senators, noting that the team would assess his condition closer to game time. Matthew Robertson was recalled from Hartford as insurance in case Durzi remains unavailable. Durzi had blocked a shot that struck his hand late in Monday’s win over Anaheim, but the team has not confirmed if this injury relates to his recent absences.
Additionally, forward Luke Glendening, who recently transitioned from a professional tryout agreement to a one-year contract, is nearing readiness for his Rangers debut. Sullivan did not specify when Glendening would see game action, indicating that decisions will be made incrementally. Forward Eeli Tolvanen did not participate in practice Friday due to personal reasons.