Finally. After a few months of wondering and the persistent, albeit soft, NHL trade rumors, the Winnipeg Jets traded Connor Hellebuyck. The New Jersey Devils surprisingly won the sweepstakes, and speculation leaped to even more blockbusters in New Jersey. Elsewhere in the Daily, the Mike Babcock revival continues in Edmonton. Why save percentages continue to fall. And the Pittsburgh Penguins are pushing back against history, but can they pull off what no one else has?

There’s no question that New Jersey is now set up to run the board, including Quinn Hughes. NJD general manager Sunny Mehta used coded language, but essentially said that was another motivation for the trade. Look out.

Penguins lines tonight: projected lineup and starting goalie →

Also, it’s a Saturday. Life is short. Avoid entanglements that cause nothing but stress. Enjoy some great fall weather, turning leaves, and some hockey tonight.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: I was surprised by coach Dan Muse’s answer. I thought I lobbed a softball, but instead he took me in a different direction. Friday, the Penguins also teased their coming Hometown Remix jerseys with new pants and helmets. The absences and the Muse answer that some of you won’t like, all from Penguins practice.

Vince Comunale put together a definitive history, and in it, the currently unprecedented challenge the Penguins are facing.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

New Jersey Hockey Now: Boom. Here is the big trade that is going to have fallout across the league and make the Penguins’ drive to get back into the playoff race even tougher. Connor Hellebuyck is the New Jersey Devils goalie, but it came at a cost. James Nichols delivers the full Devils trade grade.

New Jersey Hockey Now: This would have been a big story any other day. I knew this story was coming because I was consulting with the boys on how to handle the situation. Defenseman Brendon Dillon was upset with Sportsnet for reporting that he vetoed a trade. And kudos to the D-man because he reached out to the media (New Jersey Hockey Now) and wanted to go on record to set his Devils story straight.

James Nichols and Danny Amoia are crushing the coverage in NJ. The newspaper in NJ hired a “beat” writer who drinks beer and cheers on postgame videos. That’s great for fan blogs, but it has opened the door for us to dominate the credible news coverage.

NHLtraderumors.me: Dylan Larkin is next up, and the Montreal Canadiens haven’t given up hoping Larkin sees them as a landing spot. The latest reports indicate the Montreal Canadiens are scouting Detroit heavily.

I don’t think Larkin wants that scrutiny, pressure, or tax hit. But that’s my .02.

Sportsnet: Winning cures everything. The resucitation of Mike Babcock is beginning. Mark Spector writes Babcock’s day-to-day outlook is changing the Edmonton Oilers.

And goalies keep getting better. More technique. More practice. And more coaching. Yet, save percentages continue to fall. So, what gives?