The most anticipated trade of the early NHL season has been completed as the Winnipeg Jets acquiesced to star goalie Connor Hellebuyck's demands. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner is heading to the New Jersey Devils for a massive package that includes three roster players, a top prospect and two draft picks.
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The Jets had to get a big payday for dealing one of the game's very best goalies and they certainly did well for themselves. The trade includes forwards Dawson Mercer, Nick Bjugstad, goalie Nico Daws, 2026 first-round pick Alexander Command and draft picks including a second rounder in 2029 and a seventh-rounder in 2027.
As far as Winnipeg is concerned, I think Mercer is the best piece they are landing in the trade, butt here's a chance Command grows into an exceptional asset as well.
We have acquired:
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) October 23, 2026
🏒 F Dawson Mercer
🏒 F Alexander Command
🏒 G Nico Daws
🏒 F Nick Bjugstad
🔢 and two draft picks pic.twitter.com/vAN00bP0dO
That's what we'll focus on here. If you're an NHL fan, you should be at least a little familiar with Mercer, Bjugstad and Daws, but you might not be as familiar with Alexander Command, who is currently playing in his native Sweden before likely coming to North America next season.
Command was selected 12th overall by the Devils in June. He was considered one of the better centers in last year's draft and rose up draft boards as his season progressed.
Command has been part of the Örebro organization and has appeared in SHL games this season, but hasn't quite gained his footing in pro hockey quite yet. As a result, he has spent some time in Sweden's top U20 league, absolutely dominating the competition on that circuit by averaging two points per game. One would assume more pro reps are going to be coming his way.
While he has not scored yet in five pro games this season in the SHL, Command remains a very highly-regarded prospect who is likely to suit up for Sweden at the World Junior Championship this season as that country looks to repeat as gold medalists.
Command helped Sweden win gold at the U18 Men's World Championship last spring, which helped vault him further into the top-15 conversation. At that tournament, Command posted seven points in seven games, third best on the team.
So how does he play?
That's probably the thing that Jets fans will like most. Command has excellent offensive capabilities including a high-end shot, but I think it's how aggressive, abrasive and competitive he is in the games that he plays that really stands out. The fact that he has all those traits with the ability to score is incredibly enticing.
Command has a bit of a mean streak in him, and has the physical strength to back it up. He's still learning how to play that way against men in Sweden's top pro league, but he bullies his own age group and doesn't give players much space to breathe when he's on the ice.
The fact that Winnipeg has their finesse, smart center of the future in Viggo Björck already allows them to play Command in a variety of roles once he comes to North America. He's a natural center with two-way capabilities and can take on tough matchups while providing secondary scoring. I think he can top out as a No. 2 center in the NHL if he reaches his full potential, but I think the floor is pretty high for Command as well. I see him settling into an NHL middle-six over a long period of time, so long as he maintains the identity he has built up as a young player.
The biggest benefit to the Jets in the short term is that the Connor Hellebuyck saga is over. They are going to get better in the short term up front with Dawson Mercer in the mix and if everything hits for Command, he could one day prove to be a significant piece in this return.
It could not have been particularly easy for the Devils to part with a player they selected in the second round just a few short months ago. One has to wonder if the Jets would have selected Command if Viggo Björck wasn't still there, considering how much they valued centers. The play style definitely fits their kind of player.
It will be interesting to watch the Jets in the post-Hellebuyck world, but now they have some idea of what their future looks like and there's still reason to be optimistic.
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