Devils Empty the Cupboard to Land Connor Hellebuyck in Blockbuster Trade

The New Jersey Devils just looked at their goaltending situation, sighed heavily, and decided to empty the entire prospect cupboard.

Trading for Connor Hellebuyck in late October is the NHL equivalent of buying a generator during a hurricane. It costs an absolute fortune, but you do not care because the lights are finally staying on.

"Pierre LeBrun reported the massive haul going both ways, confirming the blockbuster deal."

Pierre LeBrun dropped the bomb on Friday: Winnipeg is sending their franchise netminder to New Jersey for Dawson Mercer, Nico Daws, Alexander Command, Nick Bjugstad, and two draft picks. That is not a trade package. That is a hostile takeover of a roster.

For Winnipeg, this is a massive reset. The Jets are currently grinding through a brutal stretch, sitting at 3-3-2 in one-goal games after a tight 3-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. Moving Hellebuyck signals a white flag on the current core.

They also take on Bjugstad, who is currently parked on long-term injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle. When you are absorbing a guy who has missed 43 games over the last two seasons just to make the math work, you know the front office is looking years down the road.

Meanwhile, this completely nukes the Eastern Conference betting markets. The Devils are already rolling, coming off a 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks, and now they get to drop one of the best goalies on the planet into their crease.

New Jersey hosts the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night. Keep an eye on how fast they can get Hellebuyck off a plane, into a Devils sweater, and stopping pucks.