VI17AIN

Alright. My abridged thoughts on what the #NJDevils gave up for Hellebuyck: • Alexander Command is the asset that hurts the most, full-stop. Even then, he’s likely 2-3 years out from even debuting in the NHL and has a second-line ceiling that probably won’t be hit for a while. • Dawson Mercer’s reputation is far more impactful than his actual on-ice value. He’s a middle-six guy who stagnated pretty heavily after 2022-23. He’s not a driver by any means, he initiates forechecks but isn’t great at converting them, and he isn’t stalwart defensively. He works hard on the ice, but so does everyone else on the team. • Nico Daws is a goalie, and realistically not a super good one. Young and has NHL upside, but the quintessential example of “You never know what you’re gonna get.” • Nick Bjugstad is whatever. Was never going to play here anyway. • 2029 2nd and 2027 7th is insane work by Sunny. The Devils remain in possession of all four of their first-rounders in the next two drafts. Overall: The Devils are getting a top-three goalie in the NHL for a prospect, a middle-sixer, a meh goalie, an injured fourth-liner, and two picks outside of the first round. They keep all of their firsts, Lenni Hämeenaho, Anton Silaev, and Mikhail Yegorov. Insane work by Sunny here.