Player Discussion: 2024 Vezina Winner Connor Hellebuyck

[CrosbyStaalsAndNash]

On the one hand, goalies are voodoo...but OTOH, Hellebuyck had about as solid a track record of elite play at every level going back half a decade at that point and his worst year was better than Paverage.

I was just staring at his NCAA stats the other night and admiring his high consistency of play over his entire career.

In the NCAA he went 38-12-2 with 12 shutouts, 1.6 GAA and .946 SV%
In the AHL he went 41-37-7 with 10 shutouts, 2.55 GAA and .921 SV%
In the NHL he's 299-178-42 with 42 shutouts, 2.59 GAA and .918 SV%

He has 2 Vezina trophies (3 come May voting), a Jennings and a Mike Richter Award (top NCAA goalie) to his name.

Everywhere he's played he has been at the top of the league and recognized for it.

We are all Witness.
Let's enjoy the ride, and never take Hellebuyck for granted

 

[FonRiesen]

I can't remember any chorus of doubt/disappointment in that 17 season. It was a little below expectations after the outstanding 18 season so I would be surprised if there wasn't ANY criticism or doubt. I don't think it was a lot. Or was it?

Nah, it was only 1 or 2 extremely vocal naysayers (that still pop up here occasionally after one of Helle's rare bad games... probably when they've had a bit too much ).

I think those that wanted to trade him over the years have mainly been worrying about a potentially massive salary and therefore ruining our depth - especially when it looked like our window was gone after Buff's departure.

Thankfully those fears were unfounded!

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

Nah, it was only 1 or 2 extremely vocal naysayers (that still pop up here occasionally after one of Helle's rare bad games... probably when they've had a bit too much ).

I think those that wanted to trade him over the years have mainly been worrying about a potentially massive salary and therefore ruining our depth - especially when it looked like our window was gone after Buff's departure.

Thankfully those fears were unfounded!

There was certainly a lot of trade talk after the 23 season. But that was based on the expectation that he was going to refuse to extend. And then he went out and won 1.5 Vezinas.

I wonder what some of those GMs who were unwilling to pony up when he was available think now? Same applies to Scheifele, though obviously a little less so.
We need a kick self in ass emoji.

 

[Jets4Life]

With tonight's victory, Hellebuyck becomes the 41st goalie to win 300 games. At age 31, I think it is safe to say, barring injury, that he is headed for 400 wins.

 

[Guardian17]

With tonight's victory, Hellebuyck becomes the 41st goalie to win 300 games. At age 31, I think it is safe to say, barring injury, that he is headed for 400 wins.

Best goaltender in the NHL.

 

[MardyBum]

 

[jokesondee]

With tonight's victory, Hellebuyck becomes the 41st goalie to win 300 games. At age 31, I think it is safe to say, barring injury, that he is headed for 400 wins.

I'd say 500 wins is very much in the cards if he stays healthy.

 

[Skidooboy]

I'd say 500 wins is very much in the cards if he stays healthy.

if he plays the 1266 games Brodeur did and stays at this pace? ..Helle will have about 706 wins. which is CRAZY!!!

 

[Huffer]

Great accomplishment for Helle. We are extremely lucky to have him.

 

[Jets4Life]

Helle passes Mike Richter, with his 302nd Win.

 

[Jets4Life]

Hellebuyck with his 30th win of the season. Helle is leading in Wins by 6, and is a head in every statistical category for goalies.

Helle also moved into #36 in all-time Wins, tying Islanders Hall of Famer Billy Smith with 305.

 

[Jet]

Hellebuyck with his 30th win of the season. Helle is leading in Wins by 6, and is a head in every statistical category for goalies.

Helle also moved into #36 in all-time Wins, tying Islanders Hall of Famer Billy Smith with 305.

I feel like he's gonna play 8 more seasons at least, I wonder where he will end up on the all time list.

 

[Jets4Life]

 

[Romang67]

3 other goalies in the league are closer to Hellebuyck over that time frame than they are to a replacement level goaltender. 3.

That's astounding.

 

[Buffdog]

I hate to be that guy, but the annual discrepancies tell me that GSAx is an iffy stat

If it accurately depicted a goalie's ability, it wouldn't vary so much year to year in so many goalies

It's nice to see Helle at the top of a stat like that but I don't think that I needed to see that to know he's the best goalie on the planet right now

 

[DRW204]

his consistency is unmatched.

 

[Skidooboy]

Our Connor is Better