Can Hellebuyck win the Hart Trophy?

[Deno]

Helle and Dri are now tied to win the Hart in the betting odds.
Can a goalie win the Hart in this current time of a much higher scoring NHL?

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/biron-outlines-hellebuyck-s-path-to-the-hart-trophy%7E3062625

Click to read more...

 

[jetsforever]

It's possible if no forward has a standout year and he keeps up the same monster statline (unlikely though)

 

[10YearsHaveGone]

Could happen, but doubtful. Goalie's typically win Harts in dead puck era's.

 

[Regal]

It’s funny because while the scoring numbers are more impressive in a high scoring environment, you could argue that an elite goalie is more valuable in a high scoring environment than a low scoring one, as often the differences are more pronounced

 

[Toby91ca]

It's possible if no forward has a standout year and he keeps up the same monster statline (unlikely though)

Probably....but there have been fairly big scorers and goalie still won...Hasek's 2 wins are good examples. In 1997 Lemieux had 122pts, second place had 109pts. Hasek won in a landslide....50 first place votes....Lemieux got 1 first place vote.

 

[Video Nasty]

No.

First off, it’s been handed out just eight times to a goaltender in 100 years, and just four times over the past 62 years. Take out the outlier of Hasek winning it in back to back years—he’s possibly the greatest goalie ever and was an additional 3 time Hart finalist during a six season span when he won the 2 Harts—and we’re talking about just two instances during that time period where there’s a very clear reason why Theodore and Price won: no standout season by a forward.

In 2001-2002, only four players reached 80 points. No one hit 100. Iginla led the league in goals and points, tied with Theodore in total votes, but lost the first place tiebreaker. My point here is that even this was as close as it gets.

In 2014-2015, similarly, only five players reached 80 points, and Benn won the scoring race with just 87 points. Another ho-hum year for forwards, combined with a standout year for Price made this an easy win for him.

We saw Pronger scoop up the Hart in 1999-2000 for similar reasons. His own great season, combined with no one scoring 100 points, and no goaltending year that stands out in the quite the same way led to the only other defenseman outside Orr to win it over the past 80+ years.

Hellebuyck is having another tremendous season, but there are many compelling stories among the top forward candidates and were probably looking at another 3-4 120+ point campaigns. It’s a huge success if he finishes among the top 5. We can also look to Shesterkin having a world beater season a few years ago and still finishing behind the 60 goal scorer and the 123 point Art Ross winner as a good example of what Hellebuyck is stacked up against.

 

[johnnyonthspot]

He should be certainly considered for it but this year the Jets are not relying as much on him as in previous years (except when Stanley is on the ice ) , however he makes the difficult saves look routine and the team cannot win with Comrie in net but they rarely lose with Helle. The beauty of Helle is that this does not phase him and he wants a cup way more than personal hardware.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

 

[Deno]

Could happen, but doubtful. Goalie's typically win Harts in dead puck era's.

I agree.
I think the odds of Helle winning it despite the betting odds is quite low.
He would have to be heads or heels over all other NHL goalies in every major category and the Jets must end the season as a top 3 team in the NHL at lease for him to have any chance.

 

[BoHorvat 53]

Sure, but he'd have to keep this up and Draisaitl would have to slow down from his projected 60 goal, 120 point pace (In other words, probably not happening)

 

[Mr Kot]

I think it's possible, but Hart voters tend to sway more towards forwards and there are a few of them having Hart seasons that are comparable. Drai is the front runner simply for that reason, with Mackinnon being in the mix too. Also can't forget Quinn having a mighty season too (although he probably won't win for the same reason a goalie won't).

 

[10YearsHaveGone]

I agree.
I think the odds of Helle winning it despite the betting odds is quite low.
He would have to be heads or heels over all other NHL goalies in every major category and the Jets must end the season as a top 3 team in the NHL at lease for him to have any chance.

Well just to play devils advocate with my original opinion. Helle is leading in the following categories (bolded what I consider significant leads):

Category	Hellebuyck	2nd place
Games Played	35	34
Wins	27	22
Shots faced	980	919
Saves	910	825
SV%	.929	.927
GAA	1.99	2.11
Shut Outs	6	4
Minutes	2106	1986
GSAA	27	16

Its a very impressive stat sheet. And if he keeps it up I do think he will be a finalist.

And the Jets are a top team.

 

[MardyBum]

Hellebuyck's on pace to outperform Price's hart season by a good bit. Scoring has gone up so being able to (possibly, again if he keeps it up) makes that pretty crazy. But then again guys are scoring way more than Benn and that era

IF no one is head and shoulders ahead at the end of the year in scoring he might be able to split the vote.

So. . Possibly, maybe. If he keeps it up he's in the discussion?

If Comrie continues to be mediocre that would help the narrative I guess. Two good goalies always gets attributed to defense.

 

[Romang67]

Probably....but there have been fairly big scorers and goalie still won...Hasek's 2 wins are good examples. In 1997 Lemieux had 122pts, second place had 109pts. Hasek won in a landslide....50 first place votes....Lemieux got 1 first place vote.

Lemieux won the Art Ross with 161 points in fewer games the previous season, so i think that played a role. Goalies tend to win Hart trophies not only when scoring is low, but when the scoring is disappointing.