Former Penguins Forward Traded In Connor Hellebuyck Blockbuster

Connor Hellebuyck was finally traded by the Winnipeg Jets on Friday. 

Interestingly, a former Pittsburgh Penguins forward was among the players involved in the blockbuster deal.

This is because former Penguins forward Nick Bjugstad was traded by the New Jersey Devils to the Jets in the move. 

The Devils also sent Dawson Mercer, Nico Daws, Alexander Command, a 2029 second-round pick, and a 2027 seventh-round pick with Bjugstad to the Jets to land Hellebuyck.

Bjugstad is not the most notable player that the Jets got back for Hellebuyck, but he has the potential to be a solid addition to their roster. The former Penguins forward will provide the Jets with more experience and size in their bottom six once he recovers from his injury.

Bjugstad had surgery back in September to repair a torn left pectoral muscle. With this, the former Penguins forward is expected to be out of action until at least January.

Bjugstad appeared in two seasons with the Penguins from 2018-19 to 2019-20. In 45 games with Pittsburgh over that span, the 6-foot-6 forward recorded 10 goals, 16 points, 101 hits, and a plus-7 rating

Since Bjugstad's time with the Penguins ended during the 2020 NHL off-season, he has had stints with the Minnesota Wild, Edmonton Oilers, Arizona Coyotes, Utah Mammoth, St. Louis Blues, Devils, and now the Jets.