NHLTR Mock Trade: Winnipeg Jets Trade Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils

Welcome to the NHLTR mock trade series where we will showcase a potential 2023 offseason trade. From minor moves to major transactions, everything will be covered as we try to predict how the chips may fall this summer across the NHL.

For today's piece we head to Winnipeg to land with the Jets as they have goaltender Connor Hellebuyck who has hit the trade market this offseason. Hellebuyck informed management he'd prefer to be traded this summer as he's not interested in a long-term deal with the franchise. The Jets continue to try and convince him to stay, meanwhile the trade rumors are swirling. Here's a mock deal to consider:

NHLTR Mock Trade: Jets trade Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils for Akira Schmid, Michael McLeod and a 2024 first-round pick. 

Jets perspective: Schmid has a ton of potential and showcased some of this during the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season. He's still only 23 and immediately becomes the goalie of the future in Winnipeg. McLeod is much more than a throw in and can play regular minutes in the bottom six, and the Jets would land another first-round pick to build around.

Devils perspective: New Jersey has a chance to win the Cup in 2023-24 and if Hellebuyck joins forces, they would become the immediate favorite. The Devils have the resources, they have the cap space to sign Hellebuyck long term and they have the assets to pull off this trade. Landing a Vezina caliber goalie can easily push the young Devils club over the hump and towards, dare we say, a dynasty?

Photo credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports