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Macon MFA 1805 A N Missouri St Macon, MO 63552 660-385-5753 Shelbina MFA 215 W Maple St Shelbina, MO 63468 573-588-4140 CLICK - MFA CONNECT |
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Printable Page
10/23 11:40 CDT Devils acquire U.S. Olympic goalie Connor Hellebuyck in a trade
with the Jets
Devils acquire U.S. Olympic goalie Connor Hellebuyck in a trade with the Jets
By JOHN WAWROW and STEPHEN WHYNO
AP Hockey Writers
Connor Hellebuyck finally has a new home after the Winnipeg Jets granted the
three-time Vezina Trophy winning goaltender's trade request in a deal that sent
him to the New Jersey Devils on Friday.
The Devils sent center Dawson Mercer, goalie Nico Daws, prospect Alexander
Command, forward Nick Bjugstad, a 2029 second-round pick and a 2027
seventh-rounder to Winnipeg for Hellebuyck.
The long-awaited trade ends months of speculation, a failed bid to move the
U.S. Olympic gold medal-winner and 2024-25 NHL MVP in June, and the Jets'
suspension of Hellebuyck for failing to report to training camp in a standoff
that required the involvement of the league and the Players' Association.
The 33-year-old Hellebuyck, who backstopped the U.S. to Olympic gold at the
Milan-Cortina Games in February, leaves Winnipeg after spending his entire
11-year career there. Hellebuyck joins Jack Hughes, who scored in overtime of
the final to defeat Canada, with the Devils and immediately puts them closer to
being a Stanley Cup contender.
When training camp opened, new Devils general manager Sunny Mehta said he was
very comfortable with the team's goaltending situation. Since then, Jake Allen
and Nico Daws have combined for an .880 save percentage, which ranks 23rd among
32 teams.
It was not immediately clear how soon Hellebuyck might be ready to play for his
new team. He has been skating in his home state of Michigan while trade talks
were ongoing.
Hellebuyck has five seasons left on a seven-year contact with an annual salary
cap hit of $8.5 million.
___
See AP's full NHL coverage here
