Player Discussion: 2024 Vezina Winner Connor Hellebuyck

[tbcwpg]

Going to be a lot of disappointed faces when the return for Hellebuyck does get revealed, based on some proposed returns here.

 

[roccerfeller]

I know he won’t sign for 3-4 years, that’s what I want not what Helly wants. And if his ask is 7 X $10 M then he’s as good as gone. You say unless Chevy commits everything to win now, except we can’t afford to give everyone what they want , so unless we get players back from say trading PLD and Chef that makes us competitive for a while, theres no way Helly would stay.

We had Helly for his best years IMO, the team just didn’t get it done.

Long way of saying Helly is getting traded, maybe not now but at the next trade deadline, but I just hope the return is good.

Do you see a scenario where we could retool enough to return to contending status and keep helle or at least convince him to stick around?

 

[TommyKillian]

Vezina candidate. This is only good news if Jets trade him. Sell high. Could get a massive return for an elite goalie still in his prime.


every goalie on that list has either won a stanley cup or at least been to the finals. It shows just what a horrible job chevy has done putting a quality team around helle. Wasted opportunity.

I'm a pretty optimistic guy but there's something a little too devastating about this. Thinking of the teams we iced in front of him some seasons... yeesh. Lack of talent and/or dysfunction seem to be the great markers of the Hellebuyck Era, and none of it is his fault. Did we really just waste the prime of a Hall of Fame calibre goalie? (If he had been drafted by a team like the Lightning, Penguins or Avs he'd have two Cups by now and almost a guaranteed HOFer).

I liked to make fun of the Leafs and Oilers for wasting the primes of their superstars (not so much the Oilers now) but we have certainly done Helley wrong.

 

[nobody imp0rtant]

Lack of talent and/or dysfunction seem to be the great markers of the Hellebuyck Era, and none of it is his fault.

None of it? The poster doth protest too much, methinks. Helly has to own some of this team's failings. That he has never, ever uttered a mea culpa is the main reason I can't stand him and can't wait for him to move on.

 

[tbcwpg]

None of it? The poster doth protest too much, methinks. Helly has to own some of this team's failings. That he has never, ever uttered a mea culpa is the main reason I can't stand him and can't wait for him to move on.

His being gone would certainly make those tank threads you like more popular.

 

[JetsFan815]

I know he won’t sign for 3-4 years, that’s what I want not what Helly wants. And if his ask is 7 X $10 M then he’s as good as gone. You say unless Chevy commits everything to win now, except we can’t afford to give everyone what they want , so unless we get players back from say trading PLD and Chef that makes us competitive for a while, theres no way Helly would stay.

We had Helly for his best years IMO, the team just didn’t get it done.

Long way of saying Helly is getting traded, maybe not now but at the next trade deadline, but I just hope the return is good.

I agree with your post but disagree with the bolded. With 80/55/26 as good as gone, if Helle tells Chevy that he is willing to stay, he will have a blank check from Chevy to name his price. The Jets will feel the need to "save face" in front of the STH (eventhough they shouldn't) after losing so much star power and use Helle to sell that they are still a competitive team.

I do agree however that it likely won't get that far as Helle won't wanna sign after losing the top 2 Cs.

 

[KingBogo]

I know he won’t sign for 3-4 years, that’s what I want not what Helly wants. And if his ask is 7 X $10 M then he’s as good as gone. You say unless Chevy commits everything to win now, except we can’t afford to give everyone what they want , so unless we get players back from say trading PLD and Chef that makes us competitive for a while, theres no way Helly would stay.

We had Helly for his best years IMO, the team just didn’t get it done.

Long way of saying Helly is getting traded, maybe not now but at the next trade deadline, but I just hope the return is good.

Agreed but I hope he is moved this summer probably around the draft. IMO we can’t go into next season with 1 foot competing and with 1 foot rebuilding planning on moving players at the TDL. It will then just be another wasted season as a slightly worse bubble team. Of course this is most likely what dithering Chevy does.

I agree with your post but disagree with the bolded. With 80/55/26 as good as gone, if Helle tells Chevy that he is willing to stay, he will have a blank check from Chevy to name his price. The Jets will feel the need to "save face" in front of the STH (eventhough they shouldn't) after losing so much star power and use Helle to sell that they are still a competitive team.

I do agree however that it likely won't get that far as Helle won't wanna sign after losing the top 2 Cs.

Helly did say at the season end interviews the most important thing for him is the chance to win. My guess he will only sign with a team he sees as a win now contender.

 

[cbcwpg]

Do you see a scenario where we could retool enough to return to contending status and keep helle or at least convince him to stick around?

If Helly was younger I think we could convince him, but as Helly was saying himself, time is running out and he wants to win now. IMO I don't think just being competitive, IE: fighting for a wild card is enough for him.

Helly...

"Yeah, my main goal is to win a Stanley Cup, and I'm starting to run out of time and can feel it," Hellebuyck said. "You know, Wheels talks about this all the time. It just flashes by. And I'm starting to understand."

"I just want to win a Cup," he said. "I don't know what the future of this team's going to look like. I don't know what their plans are, and I don't know if I'm in it, to be honest. I'm not sure what they're thinking.

 

[Cnile]

None of it? The poster doth protest too much, methinks. Helly has to own some of this team's failings. That he has never, ever uttered a mea culpa is the main reason I can't stand him and can't wait for him to move on.

What does he need to apologize or acknowledge for you?
He has single-handedly dragged the Jets into the playoffs most seasons.
He is routinely in on top goaltender statistics both good and bad based on his work load.
He plays so often as we need him to make the playoffs which was a tall order this season.
I like his honesty and his willingness to stand up for himself.
He correctly pointed out the lack of chemistry in the end of season interviews in a classy way.

 

[Cnile]

Agreed but I hope he is moved this summer probably around the draft. IMO we can’t go into next season with 1 foot competing and with 1 foot rebuilding planning on moving players at the TDL. It will then just be another wasted season as a slightly worse bubble team. Of course this is most likely what dithering Chevy does.


Helly did say at the season end interviews the most important thing for him is the chance to win. My guess he will only sign with a team he sees as a win now contender.

He’s one guy I’d like to see win the cup if he leaves.
Cheveldayoff and Maurice have drawn nice pay checks because of him in my opinion.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

First off, congrats to Helle!

Watching the playoffs always reminds me - don‘t ever spend $8 - $10 million on a goalie. Great teams can get by with good goalies, and it’s the bad teams that need the great goalies.

This team probably needs to get 30% - 40% better everywhere outside of the crease and it needs depth. He's going to want huge money on his next contract. I would trade Helle and start to legitimately fix the team.

 

[Jets 31]

Another Vezina nomination is great for Helly I don't think Dubois is staying and that will affect Helly's decision for sure. If he does want out trading him to Philly for Hart and a high pick would interest me .

 

[buggs]

What does he need to apologize or acknowledge for you?
He has single-handedly dragged the Jets into the playoffs most seasons.
He is routinely in on top goaltender statistics both good and bad based on his work load.
He plays so often as we need him to make the playoffs which was a tall order this season.
I like his honesty and his willingness to stand up for himself.
He correctly pointed out the lack of chemistry in the end of season interviews in a classy way.

I think of it differently. Hellebuyck is the problem with this team.

Why? He has masked so many deficiencies since the run we had in the playoffs losing to Vegas (the first time) that it has allowed the Jets to not be as aggressive as needed (assuming the goal is actually to win in the post-season rather than just make it there). It allowed issues to fester because the team still looked competitive while in some seasons it was really just Hellebuyck keeping them above the necessary line to get to the playoffs.

He's obviously not the problem. He also had a down playoffs and arguably, for him, a bit of a down year. Isn't that remarkable? In a year when he wasn't really his best he's still a Vezina candidate.

Hope we retain him but I see it unlikely based on his comments and it's hard to be angry with him. I believe every player comes into the league dreaming of hoisting the Cup above their head. Helle has more or less accurately assessed the situation in Winnipeg that he's not getting a Cup here. I think it looked like there was a chance post 2017-18 but that has gone by the wayside. With our lack of desirability as a market, we're going to need to rebuild outside of Hellebuyck, whether TNSE recognizes it or not.

 

[Jets4Life]

Another Vezina nomination is great for Helly I don't think Dubois is staying and that will affect Helly's decision for sure. If he does want out trading him to Philly for Hart and a high pick would interest me .

Considering Hellebuyck wants to compete for the Stanley Cup, Philadelphia would probably be a long shot. Now that the Devils are out of the playoffs, Chevy may be hearing from them. Ditto for LA.

 

[Cnile]

I think of it differently. Hellebuyck is the problem with this team.

Why? He has masked so many deficiencies since the run we had in the playoffs losing to Vegas (the first time) that it has allowed the Jets to not be as aggressive as needed (assuming the goal is actually to win in the post-season rather than just make it there). It allowed issues to fester because the team still looked competitive while in some seasons it was really just Hellebuyck keeping them above the necessary line to get to the playoffs.

He's obviously not the problem. He also had a down playoffs and arguably, for him, a bit of a down year. Isn't that remarkable? In a year when he wasn't really his best he's still a Vezina candidate.

Hope we retain him but I see it unlikely based on his comments and it's hard to be angry with him. I believe every player comes into the league dreaming of hoisting the Cup above their head. Helle has more or less accurately assessed the situation in Winnipeg that he's not getting a Cup here. I think it looked like there was a chance post 2017-18 but that has gone by the wayside. With our lack of desirability as a market, we're going to need to rebuild outside of Hellebuyck, whether TNSE recognizes it or not.

Actually we have the same POV but I like how you expanded on it. A

 

[Jets 31]

Considering Hellebuyck wants to compete for the Stanley Cup, Philadelphia would probably be a long shot. Now that the Devils are out of the playoffs, Chevy may be hearing from them. Ditto for LA.

I agree with you but i'm more thinking about what would work best for the Jets. I like Helly but ultimately i cheer for the Winnipeg Jets.

 

[The Blue Baron]

I think he stays somehow some way is my guess.
This nomination should certainly help his trade value.

 

[Gm0ney]

Hellebuyck is pretty consistent - almost always in the mix for the Vezina. It's not a small accomplishment.

 

[Jets4Life]

I agree with you but i'm more thinking about what would work best for the Jets. I like Helly but ultimately i cheer for the Winnipeg Jets.

Keeping Hellebuyck works the best for the Jets.

I'm just bracing for a worst case scenario- he does not resign.

 

[DRW204]

Bobrovsky says hello

First off, congrats to Helle!

Watching the playoffs always reminds me - don‘t ever spend $8 - $10 million on a goalie. Great teams can get by with good goalies, and it’s the bad teams that need the great goalies.

This team probably needs to get 30% - 40% better everywhere outside of the crease and it needs depth. He's going to want huge money on his next contract. I would trade Helle and start to legitimately fix the team.

 

[ps241]

What contributed to this?

I'm trending in that direction, but it will depend on this off season

Sorry I have been in the weeds with the day job for once, I'll get to this as as soon as I have time to respond properly.

 

[StumpyTown]

Congrats to Helle.
The only reason Ullmark may not win is games played.
Sorokin's numbers are slightly better than Helle on both GAA and Save Percentage.
Certainly isn't cut and dry like in past seasons.

 

[GreenLine]

Going to be a lot of disappointed faces when the return for Hellebuyck does get revealed, based on some proposed returns here.

I mean he's a top 3 goalie on a reasonably low cap hit, but I agree. Not only was he really bad in the playoffs this year, but all the top goalies were eliminated in the first round, so it's not like we're getting a display of what a good goalie can do to help a team.

I think the Jets would be lucky to get a return like Cory Schneider did (8th overall IIRC at the draft, was used to draft Horvat). Maybe they'll get a late first and a mediocre prospect. Not expecting much more than that.

 

[tbcwpg]

I mean he's a top 3 goalie on a reasonably low cap hit, but I agree. Not only was he really bad in the playoffs this year, but all the top goalies were eliminated in the first round, so it's not like we're getting a display of what a good goalie can do to help a team.

I think the Jets would be lucky to get a return like Cory Schneider did (8th overall IIRC at the draft, was used to draft Horvat). Maybe they'll get a late first and a mediocre prospect. Not expecting much more than that.

I don't think it's in relation to his playoff. He's got a great reputation around the league, clearly.

It's more
A) Goalies don't traditionally go for big trade returns
B) Hellebuyck likely only re-signs with a team he feels is right there for a push to the Cup
C) Only some of where I think are Hellebuyck's preferred destinations can fit him under the cap.

If we look at some of the options, what teams are contenders that might need an extra push? LA, maybe Vegas in the Pacific. No one in the Central. Metro, perhaps NJ, maybe the Pens if they want to get some more kicks at the can with Crosby and Malkin. Carolina seems to be doing fine without needing an elite guy. Atlantic, maybe Toronto. I don't think Detroit is close enough to where Hellebuyck thinks he makes them a contender but let's say the home state factors in and put them on the list.

Most of those teams there would need to do some major cap surgery. NJ has a number of players to re-sign and no evident cap dumps. Toronto has a lot of money on the books already and not a lot in the way of desirable assets. Pittsburgh doesn't have much.

So you're looking at maybe 1 or 2 markets that could probably afford him and close enough to be competitive for Hellebuyck, and I believe the Jets would try their best to move him where he wants to go, within reason, like they did with Trouba and probably will with Dubois and Scheifele.

I think LA is the best bet, and you could also trade maybe Stanley there for a RHD in a similar spot as him, since LA needs left shot dmen. You'd have to take back the Pedersen contract but could get an asset for that as well.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

Helly 3-4 years @ ~$10,000,000 no longer than that. But, we can't afford the extra $4,000,000 cap hit for Helly unless we dump another large contract, like Wheeler.

Helle's contract expires at the same time as Wheeler's so that won't be a problem.