Connor Hellebuyck traded to Devils for Dawson Mercer, Nico Daws and picks

Fantasy hockey: Hellebuyck joins a New Jersey defense that limits chances but has struggled in net, while Mercer heads to a Winnipeg team desperate for offense.

By Fantasy Roundup Staff · October 23, 2026

Connor Hellebuyck, the Hart Trophy winner in 2025 and three-time Vezina Trophy winner, has been traded from Winnipeg to New Jersey. The Devils sent forward Dawson Mercer, forward Nick Bjugstad, goaltender Nico Daws, prospect Alexander Command, a 2027 seventh-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick to the Jets in return.

The move addresses New Jersey's goaltending and gives Winnipeg a scoring center to help a lineup that has averaged 2.60 goals per game. Hellebuyck is listed day-to-day with an unspecified injury and missed training camp because of his suspension from the Jets, so check he is in the lineup before you start him.

Fantasy impact

Player by player

Connor Hellebuyck

Hellebuyck posted a 2.43 goals-against average and .914 save percentage with Winnipeg over 166 games in the model window. His save quality grades 67 out of 100 among goalies, a middle-tier mark for goals saved above expected and high-danger saves. New Jersey's defense limits scoring chances and high-danger opportunities at elite rates.

He is listed day-to-day with an unspecified injury and missed training camp because of his suspension, so there may be an adjustment period before he takes the crease. When healthy, he slots in as New Jersey's starting goaltender with three games left this week (Saturday, Tuesday, Wednesday). Managers who roster him should verify he is active before starting him in any format until the day-to-day tag clears.

Dawson Mercer

Mercer averaged 0.48 points, 1.8 shots and 18:11 of ice time a night with New Jersey over 225 games in the model window. He played on the second power-play unit with the Devils, logging 1:35 of power-play time a night, and his underlying play grades 55 out of 100 among forwards for shots, scoring chances and ice time. Those are his numbers from New Jersey; nothing here describes his role or share with Winnipeg.

Winnipeg's first power-play unit is Cole Perfetti, Gabriel Vilardi, Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele and Neal Pionk. Mercer will need to earn a spot on that unit or produce at even strength to make a meaningful fantasy impact. Winnipeg has three games left this week (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday), and managers in deeper formats can monitor his deployment over those contests.

Nick Bjugstad

Bjugstad is on injured reserve following surgery and cannot play until he is activated. He averaged 0.24 points, 1.5 shots and 10:52 of ice time a night with New Jersey over 194 games in the model window, logging just 0:04 of power-play time per game. His underlying play grades 50 out of 100 among forwards. Those numbers are from his time with the Devils and do not describe his role with Winnipeg.

The move does nothing for fantasy lineups until he recovers from surgery and is activated. When healthy, his limited ice time and minimal power-play role suggest he will be a depth piece for the Jets. Leave him on waivers in all formats until there is news of his return and a clear role in Winnipeg's lineup.

Nico Daws

Daws posted a 2.92 goals-against average and .901 save percentage with New Jersey over 35 games in the model window. Those numbers are from his time with the Devils and do not describe his role or share with Winnipeg. We have no save quality data for him in the model window.

The Jets need goaltending help after trading Hellebuyck, but Daws has limited recent work and no save quality data in the model window. Winnipeg has three games left this week (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday), and managers should wait to see how the Jets deploy him before adding him in any format. He is a speculative add in the deepest leagues only if he secures a clear starting role.

Jacob Markstrom

Markstrom is on injured reserve and cannot play until he is activated. New Jersey traded him to Florida in late June for three forwards, a move that created the opening for Hellebuyck. He posted a 2.79 goals-against average and .897 save percentage with the Devils over 132 games in the model window, and his save quality grades 24 out of 100 among goalies.

The move does nothing for fantasy lineups until he is activated by Florida. His save quality grades 24 out of 100 among goalies. Leave him on waivers in all formats until there is news of his return and a clearer role with the Panthers.

What to do

• Confirm Hellebuyck is healthy and active before starting him in any format, then roster him as New Jersey's top goaltender once the day-to-day tag clears.

• Monitor Mercer's deployment over Winnipeg's three games this week to see if he cracks the first power-play unit or earns top-six minutes before adding him in deeper formats.

• Leave Bjugstad on waivers in all formats until he is activated and shows a clear role with meaningful ice time in Winnipeg's lineup.

• Wait to see how Winnipeg uses Daws before adding him, treating him as a speculative option only in the deepest leagues if he secures a starting role.

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