- Sunny Mehta said last month he was reluctant to invest significant assets in goaltending
- The Devils then sent Dawson Mercer, Nick Bjugstad, Nico Daws and more to Winnipeg for Connor Hellebuyck
- Read below for the numbers that pushed New Jersey to change course
Sunny Mehta said he didn’t want to spend big in goal. Then he landed Connor Hellebuyck.
Mehta was asked by NHL.com in a Sept. 21 interview what would decide whether New Jersey’s goaltending plan works. He talked about the cost of the position in a salary-cap league.
“Because there is randomness at the position, I’m reluctant to invest significant assets there instead of in areas where the results may be more predictable,” Mehta said.
About a month later, the Devils got Hellebuyck from the Jets for forwards Dawson Mercer and Nick Bjugstad, goalie Nico Daws, the rights to prospect Alexander Command, a 2029 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick. We broke down what each side gets earlier today. Here’s how the team announced it:
No first-round pick left New Jersey, but the commitment is still big. Hellebuyck is 33, carries an $8.5 million cap hit and has five seasons left on his contract.
The Devils are 6-4-0, yet their team save percentage sits at .876, tied for 23rd in the NHL. Jake Allen is 4-2-0 with a 3.15 goals-against average and an .883 save percentage. Daws was 2-2-0 with an .874 before he was included in the deal.
Mehta spoke well of Allen in that same interview, and the Devils opened camp with three goalies in the mix. Ten games in, the results have been shaky.
Hellebuyck is also coming off the worst season of his career, going 23-23-11 with a .895 save percentage. Two years ago he led the league with 47 wins, a 2.00 GAA and a .925 save percentage. The Devils are paying for that version. Check out their post on his new number:
Mehta gets to explain the move himself Saturday. He’s set to join the MSG Networks pregame show before the Kings game to discuss the trade, and Hellebuyck will join the broadcast during the second intermission. Catch the announcement here:
