Connor Hellebuyck joins Devils looking to check one last box: 'I'm here to win' New York Times (Online) Kaitlyn Pohly NEWARK, N.J. — The highway to Helle runs through New Jersey, and Connor Hellebuyck has arrived on the East Coast. Saturday morning, ahead of the New Jersey Devils' matchup against the Los Angeles Kings, the three-time Vezina Trophy winner and 2026 Olympic gold medalist spoke to reporters for the first time since Friday's blockbuster trade sent him from the Winnipeg Jets to Newark, ending months of uncertainty. He's left no doubt about what he's set his sights on. “I'm here to win, and the one thing I got left on my resume is a Stanley Cup,” Hellebuyck said. “Seeing that these guys got their vision tight on that as well, it's just going to fit perfectly.” Hellebuyck found out about the trade while practicing at home on the ice in Michigan, he said. Suspended since he failed to report to Jets training camp after going public with a trade request in August, the 33-year-old goaltender spent his time off practicing with Robby Fabbri and Antonio Stranges, fishing and “chasing his kids around.” His arrival in Newark marks the end of a months-long saga that saw Hellebuyck miss the opening weeks of the regular season and forfeit nearly $928,000 in salary before his suspension was scheduled to expire Friday — the same day he was traded to New Jersey. “Sitting at home for so long was getting to me. I'm just really excited to play hockey again, and I'm joining a very skilled group,” Hellebuyck said. “It means so much not only on the ice but off the ice.” In exchange for the goaltender, the Jets received forwards Dawson Mercer and Nick Bjugstad, goaltender Nico Daws, prospect Alexander Command — whom New Jersey selected with the 12th pick in the 2026 NHL Draft — and two draft picks: a 2029 second-round selection and a 2027 seventh-rounder. No salary was retained in the deal, leaving New Jersey responsible for Hellebuyck's $8.5 million annual cap hit through the 2030-31 season. But despite surrendering four players and two picks, the Devils managed to retain both of their first-round selections in the upcoming 2027 NHL Draft. For first-year general manager Sunny Mehta, the acquisition represents another aggressive step in his effort to reshape a Devils roster that has struggled to translate its talent into consistent postseason success. “(This trade) signals what I think has been our process since I got here,” Mehta said. “Everything is about winning and trying to make this team better every single day.” Mehta said the deal was negotiated in less than two days. After adding forwards Luke Evangelista, Anthony Mantha and Evan Rodrigues during the offseason, Mehta has now landed one of the NHL's most accomplished goaltenders, addressing a position that has been a persistent source of frustration for New Jersey. Through its first 10 games this season, New Jersey's goaltending tandem of Jake Allen and Daws had a combined .880 save percentage, ranking 23rd in the league. Hellebuyck, meanwhile, arrives with three Vezina Trophies, a Hart Trophy and 11 seasons of NHL experience. Although his 2025-26 campaign was a departure from his usual dominance (he finished with a .895 save percentage as Winnipeg missed the playoffs), his resume represents a substantial upgrade in net. He also said he's excited to work with Allen, especially since the two share a common love off the ice. “I found out he's a fellow fisherman,” Hellebuyck said, “so we're gonna hit it off.” The trade reunites two key members of the United States' gold medal-winning Olympic team. Hellebuyck backstopped the Americans to their first men's hockey gold medal since 1980 at the Milan-Cortina Games in February, with Devils star Jack Hughes scoring the overtime winner against Canada in the championship game. Now, the two are wearing the same NHL sweater. For a Devils team seeking to establish itself as a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference, the addition of Hellebuyck could represent the missing piece. “It's a new chapter for my family. It's a new challenge, and that's what's so exciting for me,” Hellebuyck said. Asked if he had a message for Jets fans, Hellebuyck said there's a lot he needs to say but wanted to wait until after the Heritage Classic this weekend to share those words. “I hope they know I care about them,” he said.