General manager Sunny Mehta confirmed the decision, with Jake Allen expected to start in goal at Canada Life Centre. The move is not related to a new injury, but rather to workload management and the team’s assessment of its best chance to win.

The decision comes after he made 23 saves in Sunday’s 4-0 shutout victory over the Maple Leafs, his third start in six nights. Head coach Sheldon Keefe explained that the goaltender is still building his conditioning after missing training camp and the preseason.

What happened between Connor Hellebuyck and the Winnipeg Jets?

Connor Hellebuyck requested a trade from the Winnipeg Jets during the offseason, bringing an end to his 11-season run with the franchise.

The three-time Vezina Trophy winner revealed before the start of the 2026-27 season that he wanted to leave Winnipeg, despite having five years remaining on the seven-year, $59.5 million contract he signed in October 2023.

The situation escalated when he did not report to training camp and the Jets suspended him on September 16. Winnipeg eventually traded him to the New Jersey Devils on October 23, the day his suspension was scheduled to end.

In return, the Jets received forward Dawson Mercer, goaltender Nico Daws, forward Nick Bjugstad, the rights to draft pick Alexander Command, a 2029 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round selection.

The move closed a significant chapter for Winnipeg: Hellebuyck had spent 11 seasons with the organization, setting franchise records for wins, games played and shutouts.

The reasons behind his request remained a subject of speculation until he began addressing the situation publicly. On November 4, he cited his family as a major factor in what he described as a difficult decision.

He has also emphasized that he values the relationships he built in Winnipeg and the memories from his time with the team, even though the departure did not end smoothly.

He was expected to discuss the trade request in more detail during his return to Winnipeg on November 10. Although he will not play against his former team that night, the Devils arranged a media availability after the morning skate.

When will Connor Hellebuyck play again for the Devils?

Connor Hellebuyck is expected to return to the New Jersey Devils’ lineup on Thursday, November 12, against the Washington Capitals. He had started three games in six nights, including a 23-save shutout in New Jersey’s 4-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on November 8.

Starting in Winnipeg would have meant four appearances in eight nights, a demanding stretch for a goaltender who joined the Devils without participating in training camp or preseason games. Head coach Sheldon Keefe said the team was still monitoring his conditioning as he adjusted to the season.

New Jersey also has another game against Washington scheduled for Saturday, November 14, in the District of Columbia. Keefe explained that the organization wanted Hellebuyck ready for both contests, making the Winnipeg game the logical opportunity to give him a night off.

Key takeaways

• Connor Hellebuyck will rest as the New Jersey Devils visit the Winnipeg Jets.
• Jake Allen starts in goal for the New Jersey Devils at Canada Life Centre.
• Winnipeg traded Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils on October 23.

To pull off the transaction for the elite netminder, New Jersey surrendered a massive package anchored by established scoring depth, top-tier blue-chip prospects, and draft picks. Remarkably, Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald managed to complete the deal without parting with a future first-round draft pick. The return fulfills Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff’s core requirement of securing dynamic offensive weapons and future assets to sustain the franchise’s competitiveness.

Heading back to Winnipeg in exchange for Hellebuyck is a robust six-piece package: versatile forward Dawson Mercer, goaltender Nico Daws, veteran forward Nick Bjugstad, and center Alexander Command—whom New Jersey selected No. 12 overall in the 2026 NHL Draft. Additionally, the Jets acquire a 2029 second-round draft pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick.

What did the Devils give up to trade for Connor Hellebuyck?

While losing a generational goaltender is a tough pill to swallow, Winnipeg secured immediate NHL talent along with elite future upside to bolster their roster:

• Dawson Mercer: The 24-year-old forward provides proven top-six scoring punch and positional flexibility, giving Winnipeg an energetic, durable building block up front.
• Alexander Command: The crown jewel of Winnipeg’s prospect return, Command was selected 12th overall in the 2026 NHL Draft. The 18-year-old Swedish center possesses high-end offensive vision and projectable top-line center upside.
• Nico Daws & Nick Bjugstad: Daws gives Winnipeg a young, NHL-tested goaltending option to compete for starts, while Bjugstad offers steady veteran bottom-six center depth and penalty-killing utility.
• Future Draft Capital: A 2029 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick round out the return, stocking Winnipeg’s cupboard with additional assets.

What Connor Hellebuyck’s arrival means for the New Jersey Devils

For New Jersey, landing Hellebuyck eliminates their biggest roster question mark and installs a proven, game-changing wall in net. Coming off a season where subpar goaltending held back a talented young core, pairing Hellebuyck with stars like Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier elevates the Devils into immediate Stanley Cup favorites in the Metropolitan Division.

By holding onto their future first-round picks, the Devils preserve valuable draft flexibility while securing a top-tier netminder ready to anchor their championship push for years to come.

Key takeaways

• The Winnipeg Jets traded goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils, as confirmed by ESPN’s Emily Kaplan.
• The Jets receive Dawson Mercer, Alexander Command (No. 12 overall pick in 2026), Nico Daws, Nick Bjugstad, a 2029 2nd-round pick, and a 2027 7th-round pick.
• New Jersey successfully acquired the superstar goaltender without surrendering a future first-round draft selection.

ESPN’s Emily Kaplan broke down the sudden momentum shift between both front offices as negotiations escalated. “The New Jersey Devils are closing in on a deal for Connor Hellebuyck, per sources. As of this weekend, Winnipeg felt it had terrible offers for the goalie but things seemed to have progressed last night. Believe Jets have been focused on scorers in return.”

Moments later, insider Elliotte Friedman backed up Kaplan’s update, indicating a resolution is nearly complete. “Sources: New Jersey and Winnipeg are working on a Connor Hellebuyck deal. We will see what develops.” With both top-tier insiders pointing toward the same finish line, an official announcement could materialize imminently.

Will Jets trade Connor Hellebuyck?

It’s close. The Jets will trade Connor Hellebuyck and the Devils seem to be the destination. The veteran’s fractured relationship with Winnipeg has been one of the worst-kept secrets in the NHL.

After making his public trade request during the offseason, the 33-year-old Michigan native held out during training camp and subsequently faced team discipline and suspension. Hellebuyck has consistently voiced a desire to play in an American market with a legitimate Stanley Cup window, making Winnipeg’s lingering re-tool a non-starter for his long-term ambitions.

The tension reached a boiling point in recent weeks, with Winnipeg allowing Hellebuyck to stay away from the team while continuing to scout potential trade partners. By targeting New Jersey, Hellebuyck aligns himself with a talent-stacked roster seeking elite goaltending stability to push them into true championship favorite status.

What the Jets are seeking in a trade with Devils?

Jets’ general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff’s stance throughout negotiations has been firm: trading a generational goaltender requires an elite return, specifically immediate scoring depth.

Winnipeg’s front office has prioritized high-end goal scorers and proven top-six wingers to offset the void left by off-season departures. The Devils boast a rich pool of talented young forwards and draft capital, giving GM Tom Fitzgerald the exact leverage needed to meet Winnipeg’s price tag.

Landing Hellebuyck provides New Jersey with an elite, game-changing presence in net, transforming their defensive core into a formidable force in the Eastern Conference. If the final trade details are processed, Hellebuyck’s arrival in New Jersey instantly reshapes the NHL’s playoff picture.

Key takeaways

• Emily Kaplan and Elliotte Friedman confirm the Devils and Jets are actively working to finalize a deal for Connor Hellebuyck.
• Winnipeg has focused negotiations on landing dynamic scorers to bolster their top-six forward group.
• The move fulfills Hellebuyck’s trade request following a tense holdout, sending the elite goaltender to a top Eastern Conference contender.

Larkin has recently updated his trade list, shutting down the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers, who didn’t make the 10-team cut. The Minnesota Wild remain among Larkin’s preferred—and only—options, but he may not be headed to the Land of 10,000 Lakes after all.

Larkin’s wish to play alongside Quinn Hughes has been reported countless times, but with Hughes’ future in the Twin Cities in doubt, Larkin could actually head to the New Jersey Devils and end up playing with two Hughes brothers, with the older, third sibling potentially arriving in the not-so-distant future.

“Instead of going to Minnesota, where [Quinn] Hughes is, what if [Dylan Larkin] goes to New Jersey where Hughes is going to go?,” Elliotte Friedman reported on the 32 Thoughts podcast.

Devils could be biggest winners

New Jersey has a lot on the line. Landing Larkin would secure the Devils a golden ticket to becoming an apex predator in the NHL. On the one hand, Larkin would bolster the team’s top six and provide much-needed depth.

On the other hand, he would also provide one more reason for Hughes (Quinn) to want to join the squad in New Jersey. Make no mistake, Jack and Luke are still the biggest motivators behind Quinn’s interest in the Devils, but if Larkin joins as well, there may be no doubts left for the former Norris Trophy winner.

Acquiring Larkin could open the floodgates for the Devils, and it may only be the start of a golden era for the organization, led by a group of U.S. Olympic gold medalists.

Wild could be biggest losers

Just as New Jersey would be the biggest winner, there’s no doubt Minnesota would become the biggest loser in such a scenario. The Wild gave up a lot to trade for Hughes last year and may not even get a chance to re-sign the star blueliner.

Moreover, if they fail to land Larkin, who hasn’t kept his desire to join the Wild much of a secret and has waited for them for a long time, it would be all the more crushing. Minnesota’s need for a top-line center would remain unaddressed, Hughes may head for the exits, leaving a void on the blue line, and Kirill Kaprizov’s Conn Smythe-favorite start to the 2026-27 NHL season may be sent down the drain.

The stakes are high as Larkin’s trade saga in Detroit reaches a boiling point, and the Devils and Wild appear to be the main players at the table, ready to go all in. But only one of them—if even one—can come away victorious.

Key takeaways

• Dylan Larkin excluded the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers from his updated 10-team trade list.
• Elliotte Friedman reported speculation that Dylan Larkin could join the New Jersey Devils alongside Quinn Hughes.
• Minnesota Wild traded significant assets for Quinn Hughes last year but risk losing him to New Jersey.

Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes are also teammates on the New Jersey Devils entering the 2026-27 NHL season. For the time being, older brother Quinn Hughes is staying with the Minnesota Wild and has yet to join his siblings to fulfill the family dream. But it feels more like a matter of when rather than if.

Both Jack and Luke, unlike Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, were drafted by the Devils, both in the first round (Jack was first overall in 2019 and Luke was the fourth overall selection in 2021). The Tkachuks both landed on the Panthers, via trades from their Canadian teams (the Calgary Flames and Ottawa Senators).

While the Hughes share a unique distinction as both first-round picks by the same club, they aren’t the only brothers to be drafted by the same team and still be playing together entering the 2026-27 NHL season.

The Protas and Folignos will also play together in 2026-27

The Washington Capitals selected Aliaksei Protas with a third-round pick in 2019 and followed it up by drafting his younger brother Ilya with another third-round selection five years later in 2024. Though Ilya Protas only played four games with the Capitals last season, he’s been named to Washington’s opening-night roster for 2026-27, marking another sibling duo for the year.

Lastly, Marcus and Nick Foligno joined forces ahead of the trade deadline last season when the Minnesota Wild completed a trade for former Chicago Blackhawks captain Nick. The brothers remain together in Minnesota entering the new campaign and are expected to share ice time on the Wild’s fourth line.

Pittsburgh has twins on its system

A curious situation is brewing around the Pittsburgh Penguins. In the 2026 NHL Draft, the organization selected Liam Ruck with the 22nd overall pick. Not long after, the Pens drafted his twin, Markus Ruck, with the 39th overall selection. The two played together for Pittsburgh in the preseason but will start the 2026-27 season back with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers.

They are expected to play at the NCAA level in 2027-28 after both twins committed to the University of North Dakota, but it may not be long before the Ruck twins are called up to the NHL by the Penguins. That brother duo will have to wait its turn, but it sure is coming.

Key takeaways

• The Florida Panthers acquired Brady Tkachuk via trade to join his brother Matthew.
• Jack and Luke Hughes enter the 2026-27 NHL season as teammates on New Jersey.
• Ilya Protas made Washington’s opening-night roster, joining his brother Aliaksei on the Capitals.

Thus, that is something to keep an eye on as Quinn Hughes makes up his mind. According to a report, the eldest sibling is keen on re-signing in Minnesota, but only if he gets to choose the term of his contract, putting him on track to become an unrestricted free agent in the same year Jack will become one in the NHL.

“I have believed that Quinn Hughes is going to sign [a three-year, $18 million AAV contract] in Minnesota,” Elliotte Friedman stated on NHL Tonight. “People are starting to wonder, what’s going on here. I don’t have any panic about it yet.”

Three-year deal would align Quinn and Jack’s contracts

With Quinn Hughes entering the final year of his six-year, $47.1 million contract, he is set to become a UFA in the summer of 2027. Thus, if he were to put pen to paper on a three-year extension with the Wild, he would postpone his UFA status until 2030.

That year is far from random. Jack Hughes will become a UFA in the summer of 2030, as well. The New Jersey Devils‘ star is signed to an eight-year, $64 million contract running through the 2029-30 campaign.

If Friedman’s estimation is correct and Quinn signs to stay in Minnesota for the next three seasons, then he and Jack could hit the market in 2030 determined to find a team that will have them both. Quinn will be 30 years old in the summer of 2030, while Jack will have recently turned 29.

Other alternatives

There is also the possibility that Quinn decides next season is his last in Minnesota and hopes to sign with the Devils in free agency, getting to play with Jack and Luke as well. If that were the case, the Wild would likely trade Hughes—Quinn has no trade protection—before the deadline to get something in return.

The Devils would be among the suitors, but they could also let Quinn be a rental for another playoff team and go after him in free agency. However, reports state that Quinn wants to show his gratitude to the Wild for pursuing him when he asked out of Vancouver and offer his services for a few more years in the Twin Cities.

Options abound, but it’s clear the Hughes brothers saga will be one to watch as the 2026-27 NHL season looms closer. If Hughes is unsigned by the time the puck drops, then the drama will truly skyrocket.

Since Sunny Mehta arrived as the top guy on the Devils, he’s been on a mission to overhaul the franchise with changes on the roster and on the coaching staff. Now, he might look into Laine, as the team needs shooting. The Islanders have also shown some restricted interest on Laine.

At one point, Laine was expected to be one of the top scorers in the NHL. Now, he has no team. Since Laine missed so many games the last two seasons due to injuries and other shenanigans, Mehta could offer him a minimum salary with bonus additions and Laine might just accept it.

If Laine is still good at shooting, the Devils need him

Laine has created a reputation of being quite a headache. However, if he proves to still have a 98.37 MPH top shot, the Devils could, at a bargain price, be very tempted to give him a shot at redemption.

However, if Laine is not capable to provide top-tier shooting, then he has no prominent future in the NHL. Laine is not fast and no one in the league regards him as a tough guy. One workout would give the Devils all the info needed for them to see if Laine can help the team or not.

How do the Devils project for next season?

The New Jersey Devils project as a bounce-back playoff threat for the 2026 NHL season under new GM Sunny Mehta, relying on a healthy core led by Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. Mehta also revamped the goaltending depth, and the team has hopes on young pieces like Luke Hughes.

The team added veteran depth like Evan Rodrigues and signed forward Anthony Mantha to a two-year deal. Still, the Devils have some doubters. They need to find ways to score consistently and they could be dangerous.

However, Larkin has been spending a lot of time with the Hughes brothers (Quinn, Jack, and Luke), leading fans to wonder if there could be a fifth club added to the list in the not-so-distant future.

On Saturday night, Larkin joined the Hughes brothers and other friends for a night out at an exclusive nightclub in New York City. NBA stars like Jalen Brunson and Michael Porter Jr. were also among the attendees. Still, Larkin’s appearance alongside the stars from the Minnesota Wild and New Jersey Devils made waves across the NHL.

Larkin and the Devils

For the time being, there has been no progress in trade talks, though. Still, reports indicate Larkin is fully convinced on leaving the Red Wings. It may not be long before Larkin, still the team’s captain, realizes he’ll have to broaden his options and make the task a bit easier on his organization.

Thus, and considering Larkin’s friendship with Jack and Luke Hughes, many believe the New Jersey Devils could become the fifth option if Detroit asks Larkin to add another team to his trade list.

Larkin’s preferred teams

Larkin has made it clear he’ll be willing to waive his NTC if an offer comes through from one of the following teams: the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, or Dallas Stars. That’s the list, at least for the time being.

Detroit has no leverage, and whether it will ask its captain to expand the list or make do with it, only time will tell. The relationship seems past the point of no return and, even though the Red Wings reportedly demoted Steve Yzerman in an effort to keep Larkin, the trust has been broken.

Red Wings in a tough spot

Calling the Red Wings’ situation a shipwreck may be an exaggeration, but the captain is jumping ship regardless. Larkin’s trade request also triggered a domino effect, such as Patrick Kane’s decision to leave Detroit and take an apparent shot at the Red Wings while addressing his return to the Chicago Blackhawks. Many more pieces could soon fall.

As painful as it may be for the front office in Motor City to admit, Larkin isn’t the only headache awaiting the next general manager to take over following Yzerman’s demotion.

Why Devils make sense

The Devils make sense, as they boast a young core with plenty of promise. Had New Jersey not parted ways with GM Tom Fitzgerald, the Devils would have had another element working in their favor, as Fitzgerald was a member of Team USA’s management staff at the Olympics. Clearly, that event has had a major impact on Larkin and his career.

Whether New Jersey is a destination Larkin is seriously considering—and perhaps one that is on the bubble—remains to be seen. What’s clearer is that Minnesota emerges as the top landing spot for Larkin, and him spending time with Quinn Hughes only fuels that belief.

Still, it begs the question of whether the two younger Hughes brothers are doing their part to lure Larkin to New Jersey and, while they’re at it, bending Quinn’s ear as well. After all, Quinn could become a UFA next summer and playing with his brothers was always dream of his—one he never kept a secret.

As things stand, Larkin is holding his ground. However, it hasn’t done him much good. He hasn’t been traded yet, and with every passing day, more fans in Motor City are turning on him as the Michigan native’s story turns into a villain arc.

It did not take long for the winger to hoist his first Stanley Cup, as he won the Cup in 1986 with the Habs. Wherever he went in the NHL, wins followed. His style of play continues to influence players across the league.

Lemieux was the classic prototype of a forward you love when he is on your team and hate when he is not. More often than not, that description fits natural-born winners best, and Lemieux was no exception. His immediate impact on the Canadiens earned him an eternal place among the franchise’s most beloved players.

In fact, Lemieux recently raised the torch in Montreal’s pregame ritual before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final. His appearance at Bell Centre earlier this week makes his passing all the more difficult to digest and comprehend—if there is even a way to do so.

Lemieux’s Stanley Cup conquests

Though unrelated to Mario Lemieux, Claude made his last name proud with a remarkable career. He joined a very short list of players to have won the Stanley Cup with three different teams. Claude Lemieux hoisted Lord Stanley four times in his career: in 1986 with the Montreal Canadiens, 1995 with the Colorado Avalanche, and 1996 and 2000 with the New Jersey Devils.

Furthermore, Lemieux won the Conn Smythe Trophy for his production during the 1995 conquest. During those Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Quebecker registered 16 points (13 goals and 3 assists) in 20 games for the Devils.

Lemieux represented Canada Hockey multiple times and helped his country crown itself champion in the 1985 World Junior Hockey Championship and the 1987 Canada Cup. Time and again, Claude proved to be a winner. Winning was all he did in the NHL, and it is what he will forever be remembered for in Montreal, Denver, Newark, and across the entire league.

Lemieux’s stats

Across his long NHL career—which extended over three different decades and two different centuries—Lemieux played 1,215 games, registering 379 goals and 407 assists for a total of 786 points. He ended his career with a 0.65 points-per-game average.

In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, however, he became a different beast—an untamable one at that. Across 234 postseason games, Lemieux recorded 158 points (80 G, 78 A), posting a 0.68 points-per-game average.

Following his crowning with the Devils in 2000, Lemieux had one-year stints with the Phoenix Coyotes and Dallas Stars in 2001-02 and 2002-03, respectively. After a five-year hiatus, Lemieux returned for his final NHL season in 2008-09, in which he played one game for the San Jose Sharks before hanging up the skates.

“I thought we were outworked for sure,” Keefe admitted postgame, via NHL.com. “I thought they played with more structure. We’ve been playing kind of a pretty loose game. The Rangers came out and played with purpose.”

Hadn’t it been for a late surge against the Chicago Blackhawks (27-34-14), the Devils would be mired in a three-game losing streak. New Jersey has spiraled out of control in the NHL season, just when New York is finding the most success it’s had all year.

Rangers caught Devils by surprise

Keefe and the Devils thought they had the Rangers all figured out. No matter how much they struggled throughout the season, they believed a matchup against the Blueshirts was always going to be favorable. However, New York suddenly showed its teeth and finally answered back against New Jersey.

The loss at Madison Square Garden sends the Devils back to square one. Whatever they thought they had going against the Rangers may be futile now. For Keefe and company, it’s a sad note to end the season series on.

Rangers finally get one over Devils

It took the Blueshirts until the last Battle of the Hudson, but they finally defeated the Devils in the 2025–26 NHL campaign. The Rangers had already been swept in the season series by the rival New York Islanders and avoided humiliation with a 4–1 win at home over New Jersey.

Had they lost to Keefe and the Devils again, the Rangers would have recorded their first-ever winless year against their cross-town rivals. Still, a 1–6–0 record against teams in the New York metro area is far from the goal for the Blueshirts. At this stage, Mike Sullivan and company are content with their baby steps, but there’s a lot of work left to be done.

Where Rangers, Devils, and Islanders stand

In a shocking turn of events, the Rangers are currently the hottest team in the New York metro area. The Devils’ season is all but over, as they sit 10 points behind the last wild card spot. The Rangers are officially eliminated, but playing with no pressure has led to their most success of the season.

As for the Islanders, they are sitting in a playoff spot but are dangerously flirting with the abyss. The Isles are just one point ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets for third in the Metropolitan Division. If they don’t secure a divisional spot, they will enter the dogfight of the wild-card race, where only two sides out of a six-team battle will make it out alive.

Having lost two in a row, alarms are going off on Long Island. The Islanders will face five teams in playoff position (or on the playoff bubble) in their last six outings of the season. To say they will be playing for their lives would be an understatement.

“Teams that showed serious interest in Matthew Knies included Anaheim, Chicago, Montreal, New Jersey and Utah… There were some teams who didn’t believe the Maple Leafs were serious about it, but now recognize the possibility,” NHL insider Elliotte Friedman said.

Knies, in the first year of his six-year, $46.5 million contract, drew attention as a young, cost‑controlled forward with long‑term upside. The Devils explored the possibility of adding him, but the idea of moving a cornerstone prospect halted any chance of a deal.

High asking price stopped the deal

New Jersey’s interest was legitimate, but the inclusion of Nemec became the breaking point. The Devils view him as a foundational piece of their future, making it nearly impossible to justify a trade centered around such a premium asset.

Devils focused on long‑term plan

General manager Tom Fitzgerald reiterated during the NHL Trade Deadline that the organization’s priority remains long‑term growth. From there, the Devils’ stance became clear: they stayed active in discussions, but protecting long‑term assets outweighed any short‑term opportunity.

The front office ultimately determined that parting with key future pieces didn’t fit the organization’s broader plan, reinforcing a patient, development‑focused approach.

Even though a deal didn’t happen, Knies is expected to remain a name to watch heading into the NHL Draft, where conversations could resurface if Toronto revisits his availability.