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Hellebuyck's debut win clarifies New Jersey's contender window; extension talks begin within 10 days, targeting $8M-plus AAV before playoffs.
5-1
against Dallas on Tuesday night
30
is a pending unrestricted free agent carrying a
$6.17 million
cap hit through this season
41 games
in Winnipeg
The New Jersey Devils acquired goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and won his debut 5-1 against Dallas on Tuesday night, with Hellebuyck stopping 16 of 17 shots. Nico Hischier scored twice. The Devils announced the trade shortly before puck drop, sending future considerations to Winnipeg in what appears to be a deadline-day rental with extension optionality baked in.
Hellebuyck, 30, is a pending unrestricted free agent carrying a $6.17 million cap hit through this season. He arrived with a .921 save percentage across 41 games in Winnipeg, second in the Metropolitan Division among qualified starters. The Devils dressed him immediately, skipping the customary media availability. General manager Tom Fitzgerald was in the press box. The timing suggests urgency: New Jersey entered Tuesday fourth in the Metro, three points behind Carolina with two games in hand, but had allowed 3.2 goals per game since January 1st.
The acquisition clarifies two things. First, the Devils believe their forward core—Hischier, Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier—can win now, and goaltending was the constraint. Vitek Vanecek posted a .901 save percentage over his last 15 starts; Akira Schmid was waived in December. Hellebuyck gives them a Vezina-caliber floor. Second, ownership is willing to pay. Hellebuyck's next contract will start north of $8 million annually, likely six or seven years. The Devils' payroll sits at $81 million this season, tenth in the league, with $22 million in space next summer before Hughes' extension kicks in. They have room, but committing to Hellebuyck at 37 in year seven means betting the competitive window stays open through 2032.
The trade also reshapes the Eastern playoff picture. If New Jersey climbs to third in the Metro, they avoid a wild-card berth and the likely first-round matchup with Florida or Boston. Carolina, the Rangers, and the Devils are now separated by four points with 19 games remaining. Hellebuyck's workload matters: he started 60-plus games in four of the last five seasons. The Devils play back-to-backs on March 8-9 and March 22-23. Whether Fitzgerald signs a veteran backup or rides Vanecek in spot duty will signal how hard they're leaning into the run.
Extension talks will begin within 10 days, per a source close to the organization. Hellebuyck's camp—led by agent Jay Grossman—has been clear since last summer that term and average annual value matter equally. The comparable is Sergei Bobrovsky's seven-year, $70 million deal signed at 30 in Florida. Hellebuyck will want $8.5 million minimum; the Devils will counter closer to $8 million. The gap is small enough to close before the playoffs, which keeps him off the July 1st market and gives New Jersey cost certainty ahead of Hughes' $8 million-per-year raise in 2025-26.
Watch the backup situation, Vanecek's next start, and whether Fitzgerald moves additional cap space before the March 7th deadline. Carolina and the Rangers are both in on Jake Allen. The Devils' next three games are Florida, Tampa, and Boston—all playoff teams. Hellebuyck's save percentage through that stretch will set the extension number.
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