Well, Vegas Golden Knights fans. It looks like you'll have to suffer through more Adin Hill soft goals. The Golden Knights aren't getting Connor Hellebuyck. Instead, he'll be heading to New Jersey to play for the Devils. That's right, Golden Knights fans. There won't be another Kelly McCrimmon blockbuster.
To Wpg: Dawson Mercer, Nico Daws, Alexander Command and Nick Bjugstad plus two draft picks.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) October 23, 2026
To NJ: Connor Hellebuyck.
Heading back to Winnipeg will be Dawson Mercer, Nico Daws, Alexander Command, Nick Bjugstad, and two picks. The Devils have tried to fix their goaltending situation for the longest time possible, bringing in names like Jacob Markstrom into the mix. However, it seems that they're getting an Olympic gold medalist to come back into the mix.
As for Vegas, there's a good reason why a Hellebuyck trade never materialized. According to Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Winnipeg is on Hill's no-trade list. Combine that with a $6.25 million cap hit for six years and things get far more complicated on the whole "let's trade Adin Hill" front.
That was apparent during the summer when the Golden Knights couldn't move Hill. The salary and the no-trade list complicated things for general manager Kelly McCrimmon. Will Winnipeg (or anybody) take a goaltender with a deep history of lower-body injuries who was coming off an abysmal 2025-26 season?
As for the Hellebuyck aftermath, it looks like the Golden Knights must ride it out with Hill and Carter Hart. Things will be much tougher for Vegas since their defensemen have also been part of the whole "goal allowing fiasco" in the past couple of games. But let's look at the wake of the deals and see what Golden Knights fans should make of the situation.
What should Vegas Golden Knights fans make of Adin Hill's no-trade list and Connor Hellebuyck going to New Jersey?
First, the Golden Knights must live with the Hill contract for now. Six years and a $6.25 million AAV is a tough ask for anyone to take on, especially if said goaltender has a decorated injury history. Add in Winnipeg as a no-trade destination and it puts McCrimmon in a no-win situation for acquiring Hellebuyck.
Besides, would it even be possible for the Jets to acquire Hill if he didn't have them as a preferred destination? They would probably want younger talent like Trevor Connelly and Juho Piiparinen, along with a salary dump in Nic Dowd (which would be far more realistic since he doesn't have the no-trade guardrails).
As for Hellebuyck, it's a wish that simply couldn't be fulfilled for the Golden Knights. Sure, Vegas has seen better returns from Hill and Hart before their statistically disastrous showings in the past two games. However, it doesn't hurt to have an upgrade in hand. That's especially true with a Hart Memorial Trophy winner and another Olympic gold medalist on your team.
Could the Golden Knights have made a Hellebuyck trade work if Hill went elsewhere? Probably down the road. But would you still be willing to sacrifice Connelly, Brett Howden, and other key players? Howden would be considered since Vegas is deep at forward. But there's a reason why Vegas wasn't a serious frontrunner, even with its reputation.
Alas, the Golden Knights must ride out the 2026-27 season with Hill and Hart (barring any drastic changes, of course). They must find a way to make necessary defensive adjustments and get more from the guys in net, specifically Hill. Otherwise, there won't be a second Stanley Cup in Sin City.
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