Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers: Today’s Hockey Headlines | October 24, 2026

Note: And here we thought yesterday was going to be the calm before the Heritage Classic storm. Nope. Instead, it was pandemonium when TSN’s Darren Dreger tweeted that there was a twist in the Connor Hellebuyck saga, with trade talks heating up. We would subsequently learn that the Jets had dealt their three-time Vezina winner to New Jersey in exchange for Dawson Mercer (who has averaged 20 goals per season over his first five NHL seasons), Alexander Command (2026 12th overall pick, with some good insight into the player here), goalie Nico Daws and Nick Bjugstad (currently on LTIR), along with two draft picks (a second-rounder in 2029 and a seventh-rounder in 2027).

Note II: Of course, a trade of this magnitude also necessitated a number of roster moves by the Jets to accommodate the incoming players, including the decision to place defenceman Jack St. Ivany on waivers. We’ll find out at 1 PM CT today whether he clears and can be assigned to the Moose or if another NHL club puts in a claim.

Note III: The whirlwind day culminated in a media availability with Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff, who spoke about the decision to trade Connor Hellebuyck, the return Winnipeg received from New Jersey and what comes next for the organization.

Note IV: Amidst all the chaos surrounding the Hellebuyck trade, there is actually some hockey to be played this weekend as the Heritage Classic festivities continue in Winnipeg. Fans can take in Fan Fest at the RBC Convention Centre during the day before the Jets and Canadiens alumni hit the ice at Canada Life Centre for their game at 6:30 PM CT. It should be a pretty special evening with plenty of familiar faces returning to the ice in Winnipeg. The Jets will be streaming the game on their website.

Note V: As for the current Jets, they’ll be back on the ice at 4 PM CT for practice at Princess Auto Stadium ahead of Sunday’s Heritage Classic against the Canadiens. With the blockbuster trade now behind them, at least from a transaction standpoint, the focus shifts back to hockey as Winnipeg looks to snap its four-game winless skid (0-2-2) on one of the biggest stages of the season. Check back for the Practice Report.

Note VI: The Moose improved to 6-2-0 on the season with a 4-3 win over the Wild last night in Iowa, powered by three power-play goals and a 42-save performance from Thomas Milic. Manitoba continues to have success against everyone not named the Griffins and will look to keep that going tonight when they face Iowa in a rematch. Puck drop is at 6 PM CT.

Jets news:

Sportsnet: End of Hellebuyck era brings relief for Jets, Cheveldayoff. Even a day later this news doesn’t feel entirely real. The saga lasted for months and it almost feels like it cannot really be over.

Winnipeg Sun: Jets, Hellebuyck saga finally ends in trade to Devils. It really was overtime at this point.

Winnipeg Free Press: Sun sets on Hellebuyck era. (Paywall). More reaction to yesterday’s big news.

The Athletic: Inside the Connor Hellebuyck trade: Devils GM Sunny Mehta’s full-court press ends the Jets’ saga. (Paywall). Always interesting to get insight like this.

Global News: Hellebuyck trade draws plenty of reaction. The hockey world was buzzing with the news on Friday. 

CBC: ‘I’m glad that he’s gone’: Winnipeg Jets fans say messy exit tarnishes Hellebuyck’s legacy. No forgive and forget I suspect from the vast majority of Manitobans.

Globe and Mail: No longer resolute, Jets got burned by trading Hellebuyck to New Jersey. A view from Toronto that is none too pleased with the Jets. 

Daily Faceoff: What are the Jets getting in Alexander Command? This is a big piece of the puzzle for Winnipeg.

Jets video:

Sportsnet: Why Jets, Devils made Hellebuyck trade now. Elliotte Friedman joins Sportsnet Central to break down the Winnipeg Jets trading Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils, discussing why each team made the trade at this moment, the Devils’ direction after the big move, and more.

NHL Network: Elliotte Friedman talks Connor Hellebuyck BLOCKBUSTER TRADE to the Devils. Elliotte Friedman joined NHL Tonight First Shift to give insight on Connor Hellebuyck being traded to the New Jersey Devils.

TSN: How will Jets fans react to Hellebuyck when he returns to Winnipeg? With Connor Hellebuyck officially on the move to the Garden State, TSN’s Danielle Bain joined SportsCentre to discuss what the star netminder’s reception may be like on November 10th when the Devils visit the Jets at home.

TSN: Who won the Devils & Jets blockbuster Hellebuyck trade? Craig Button and Marc Denis joined That’s Hockey to share their verdicts on who won the trade that sent netminder Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets to the New Jersey Devils.

TSN: Dreger on Jets blockbuster trade that sends Hellebuyck to Devils. Hockey Insider Darren Dreger joined That’s Hockey to break down the blockbuster trade that sent Connor Hellebuyck to the Devils for Dawson Mercer, Nico Daws, Nick Bjugstad, Alexander Command and two draft picks.