Connor Hellebuyck explains trade request; Dawson Mercer, Nick Bjugstad, Nico Daws to Winnipeg

Fantasy hockey: Hellebuyck's move to New Jersey brings four games this week and a 67 save quality grade. Mercer loses a game and lands on Winnipeg's second…

By Fantasy Roundup Staff · November 4, 2026

Connor Hellebuyck posted a letter to Winnipeg fans Wednesday explaining his trade request last spring, citing challenging family circumstances. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner was dealt from the Jets to the Devils in October, with Dawson Mercer, Nick Bjugstad, Nico Daws, prospect Alexander Command and two draft picks going the other way.

Hellebuyck's fantasy value rises immediately with New Jersey's four-game week. Mercer and Daws drop a game in Winnipeg's three-game slate, while Bjugstad remains on injured reserve following surgery.

Fantasy impact

Player by player

Connor Hellebuyck

Hellebuyck's move to New Jersey delivers an immediate scheduling advantage: the Devils play four times this week while Winnipeg plays three, adding one more start right away. His save quality grades 67 out of 100 among goalies in goals saved above expected and high-danger saves, a strong mark that reflects his ability to make difficult stops.

With the Winnipeg Jets before the trade, Hellebuyck posted a 2.43 goals-against average and .914 save percentage over 166 games in the model window. He has appeared in three games for the Devils since the October deal, earning three wins with a .900 save percentage and 1.95 goals-against average. Start him with confidence in all formats and expect him to anchor New Jersey's crease.

Dawson Mercer

Mercer heads to Winnipeg in the deal and immediately loses a game, with the Jets playing three times this week while New Jersey plays four. With the Devils before the trade, he averaged 0.48 points and 1.8 shots per game over 225 games in the model window, skating 18:11 a night. He saw second-unit power-play time at 1:35 a night, and Winnipeg's first unit is already set with Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, Gabriel Vilardi, Cole Perfetti and Neal Pionk.

His underlying play grades 55 out of 100 among forwards in shots, scoring chances and ice time, a read on how sustainable his scoring is. That mark suggests his production may dip with reduced opportunity in a new system. The lost game this week and second-unit role make him a bench option in standard leagues until his deployment becomes clear.

Nick Bjugstad

Bjugstad is on injured reserve following surgery and cannot play, so the trade does nothing for fantasy lineups until he is activated. With the Devils before the deal, he averaged 0.24 points and 1.5 shots per game over 194 games in the model window, skating 10:52 a night with minimal power-play time. His underlying play grades 50 out of 100 among forwards in shots, scoring chances and ice time.

Winnipeg's first power-play unit is Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, Gabriel Vilardi, Cole Perfetti and Neal Pionk, leaving no room for Bjugstad when he returns. His limited role with New Jersey and the ongoing injury make him a waiver-wire option in most formats. Monitor his activation, but expect depth minutes and little fantasy relevance.

Nico Daws

Daws moves to Winnipeg and immediately loses a game, with the Jets playing three times this week while New Jersey plays four. With the Devils before the trade, he posted a 2.92 goals-against average and .901 save percentage over 35 games in the model window, a small sample that limits what we can say about his performance.

The one-game scheduling disadvantage this week is just the start of his concerns. His role in Winnipeg's crease is unclear, and his recent numbers with New Jersey offer little confidence for managers looking for reliable goaltending. Leave him on the waiver wire in most formats until his workload and performance stabilize.

What to do

• Start Hellebuyck in all formats with New Jersey's four-game week and his strong save quality grade.

• Bench Mercer in standard leagues until his ice time and line placement in Winnipeg become clear.

• Leave Daws on waivers until his role in Winnipeg's crease is defined and his numbers improve.

• Drop Bjugstad in most formats while he remains on injured reserve with no clear timeline for return.

Schedule this week