Connor Hellebuyck traded to Devils; Dawson Mercer, Nico Daws to Jets

Fantasy hockey: Hellebuyck is on injured reserve with no return date. Mercer moves to Winnipeg after posting 0.48 points and 1.8 shots a night in New Jersey.

By Fantasy Roundup Staff · October 23, 2026

The Jets have traded Connor Hellebuyck to the Devils in exchange for Dawson Mercer, Nico Daws, Nick Bjugstad, Alexander Command and two picks. Hellebuyck requested a trade over the summer and had been suspended since failing to report to training camp, with his suspension set to end today.

Hellebuyck cannot play because he is on injured reserve with no return date. Mercer brings middle-six production to Winnipeg after spending time on New Jersey's second power-play unit. Bjugstad is also on injured reserve following surgery.

Fantasy impact

Player by player

Connor Hellebuyck

Hellebuyck is on injured reserve with no return date, so the move does nothing for fantasy rosters until he is activated. His save quality grades 67 out of 100 among goalies in goals saved above expected and high-danger saves. With New Jersey he averaged a 2.43 goals-against and .914 save percentage over 166 games in the model window.

Once activated, Hellebuyck would step into the Devils' crease with three games remaining this week (Saturday, Tuesday, Wednesday) and three next week. Do not add or start him until he is cleared to play. He was a three-time Vezina winner in Winnipeg.

Dawson Mercer

Mercer averaged 18:11 a night with New Jersey, producing 0.48 points and 1.8 shots per game over 225 games in the model window. He played on the second power-play unit with the Devils (1:35 a night). His underlying play grades 55 out of 100 among forwards in shots, scoring chances and ice time.

Winnipeg's first power-play unit features Cole Perfetti, Gabriel Vilardi, Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele and Neal Pionk, so Mercer will need to earn his way onto that group. The Jets have three games left this week (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday) and four next week. He is a mid-range center with secondary power-play time in his new home.

Nico Daws

Daws averaged a 2.92 goals-against and .901 save percentage over 35 games in the model window with New Jersey. He joins a Winnipeg crease vacated by Hellebuyck.

The Jets have three games remaining this week (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday) and four next week. Daws is a low-volume backup option who may see increased work in Winnipeg depending on the team's depth chart decisions.

Nick Bjugstad

Bjugstad is on injured reserve following surgery and cannot play until activated. With New Jersey he averaged 10:52 a night, posting 0.24 points and 1.5 shots per game over 194 games in the model window. His underlying play grades 50 out of 100 among forwards.

Once healthy, Bjugstad would fill a depth role in Winnipeg. Do not add or start him until he is cleared to return. Winnipeg's first power-play unit is set with Perfetti, Vilardi, Connor, Scheifele and Pionk.

Alexander Command

Command joins Winnipeg as part of the package but has no recent NHL sample in the model window. His role and ice time with the Jets remain to be determined.

Winnipeg has three games left this week (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday) and four next week. Command is a speculative add only in deep leagues until his usage becomes clear.

What to do

• Do not add or start Hellebuyck until he is activated from injured reserve.

• Hold Mercer through the move and watch where he lands in Winnipeg's lineup and power-play rotation.

• Leave Bjugstad out of lineups until he returns from surgery.

Schedule this week