WINNIPEG - 2020 may actuallyturn out to be a good year for Connor Hellebuyck.
The National Hockey League announced Friday that Hellebuyck is a finalist for the Vezina Trophy along with Tampa's Andrei Vasilevskiy and Boston's Tuukka Rask. This is Hellebuyck's second nomination in the last three seasons.
Two years ago, Connor Hellebuyck set franchise records for wins (44), save percentage (.924) and shutouts (6) leading him to being named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy. Nashville's Pekka Rinne took the award in 2017-18.
It was much of the same for the Michigan product in 2019-20, equaling his shutout total from two-years ago while facing the most shots in the NHL and finished second in wins (31).
TSN Hockey Analyst Jamie McLennan and former NHL netminder believes the Jets' netminder is the hands down winner of the award this season.
"When I look at top goaltenders they make the same save every night regardless of the score," said McLennan.
"The consistency of their game, the consistency of their positioning, their confidence in the net. I saw that from Connor right from day one and I know there were times where it didn't go well but he stuck with his game his talent shone through."
McLennan also made sure to point out the fact that the Jets were decimated by injuries throughout the season and of course, the huge changes on the blueline with the departures of Jacob Trouba, Tyler Myers, Ben Chairot and Dustin Byfuglien.
"As a goaltender it's about comfort in the net. Sometimes when a goaltender changes organizations it takes time to settle in with the tendencies of the system that is going on in front of him. Connor had to do that and he didn't even change organizations. Basically the organization changed in front of him," said McLennan.
"So he had to adapt and I don't know how many times where he would give up a three spot and I would be saying 'This guy was the best player on the ice'. He kept Winnipeg in games where they had no business being in early on."
Fellow former NHL goaltender, now NHL Network analyst Kevin Weekes was also impressed by Hellebuyck's performance this season.
"I've been impressed with how efficient he's been. No wasted movement, economy of movement, economy of motion, his positioning has been impeccable in terms of when to hang back and be a little more conservative on the lateral pass option and or when he can come out and challenge. Hardly any pucks have gone through his body, he's been so consistent," said Weekes.
"I might even say he played better this year than when he set the record two years ago for most wins by an American born goalie in an NHL season. He's been a game changer for the Jets."
It was early on that a large list of analysts decided that because of the offseason of change for the Jets that it would be difficult for the club to make the playoffs for a third consecutive campaign. Mike Kelly, NHL Network and Sportlogiq Analyst, was amongst those who thought Winnipeg's postseason chances were doomed and pointed to the primary reason they are in the 24-team tournament.
"Full credit to Paul Maurice, the organization, the players stepped up throughout the year but Connor Hellebuyck really helped the team who still did give up a lot of opportunities to their opponents," said Kelly.
"There is something to be said about workload and being able to play at a high level for a lot of games. Hellebuyck tied (Montreal's) Carey Price in games played and faced more shots than anybody and made more saves than anybody and still put up great numbers. He is a slam dunk winner (of the Vezina)."
Maurice has often pointed to Hellebuyck's performance during the month of November as his finest performance. The 27-year-old went 8-2-1 with a .944 save percentage and an eye-popping 1.85 goals against average. That month was huge in keeping the Jets alive in the competitive Central Division and in the Western Conference playoff race.
"Critical, he was absolutely critical. Winnipeg never got into a spot where they were desperately chasing (a playoff spot). For Hellebuyck, he faced the third most amount of shots from that high danger slot area of qualifying goalies (2000 minutes played). In the net front area (inner slot), sixth most and still puts up a .922 save percentage," said Kelly.
"What I like to do is measure is based on this goalies workload and the types of shots and the locations and what he kept out of the net. Where's that difference between team defence and his performance? For Connor Hellebuyck he was right at the top of the NHL in terms of how many goals he saved quote unquote for his team with his play. We just talked about the Calder Trophy and it's a two horse race, for the Vezina there is a winner and it's Hellebuyck."
Hellebuyck, Winnipeg's fifth round pick (130th overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft, is seeking to become the first goalie in Jets/Thrashers franchise history to win the award.
