The New Jersey Devils traded centre Dawson Mercer of Carbonear, Newfoundland to the Winnipeg Jets on Friday. In addition to Mercer, the Jets received centre Nick Bjugstad, prospect Alexander Command, goaltender Nico Daws, a seventh round pick in the 2027 National Hockey League Entry Draft and a second round pick in the 2029 NHL Entry Draft. In return according to Rogers Sportsnet, the Devils received goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
Mercer is joining his second NHL team after six seasons with the Devils. This season, Mercer had four assists for four points in 10 games with the Devils. He is a -2 with one shorthanded point, 22 shots on goal, eight blocked shots, nine hits, two takeaways and eight giveaways.
The shorthanded point was a shorthanded assist in a 7-1 Devils win over the New York Rangers on October 15. Mercer set up Cody Glass of Winnipeg, Manitoba with five minutes and six seconds left to complete the scoring. In an all-Canadian goal, defenseman Dougie Hamilton of Toronto, Ontario picked up the other assist.
Bjugstad is joining his ninth NHL team. He has previously played with the Florida Panthers, Arizona Coyotes, Minnesota Wild, Pittsburgh Penguins Utah Mammoth, St. Louis Blues, New Jersey Devils and Edmonton Oilers. Daws has played five seasons with the Devils.
The focal point of the blockbuster deal was Hellebuyck. The American Olympic gold medalist spent 11 seasons with the Jets and requested a trade in the offseason. He was a three-time Vezina Trophy winner and won the Hart Trophy in 2025.
