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The Winnipeg Jets: Five Reasons they Could Collapse in 2018-2019

By Kyle McCarthy

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 16: Head coach Paul Maurice of the Winnipeg Jets speaks during a news conference following his team's 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on May 16, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 16: Head coach Paul Maurice of the Winnipeg Jets speaks during a news conference following his team's 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on May 16, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Winnipeg Jets
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 06: Steve Mason #35 of the Winnipeg Jets looks on against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on March 6, 2018 in New York City. The Winnipeg Jets won 3-0. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Steve Mason struggled after presumably being signed to become the starter of the Winnipeg Jets. We could see someone follow the path of Mason, but not the way you would think.

Steve Mason started his career with a bang with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2008. Mason walked away with a Vezina nomination and a Calder Trophy at the end of the season.

Know anyone else around here with a second place Vezina finish? Mason was a capable starting goaltender after that season (and his subsequent trade to Philadelphia), but that’s it.

I always thought of him as a Mike Smith type dude. A top 20ish starter. Not great. Not going to kill you. Someone you can make the playoffs with, if your defense and offense are solid.

Well, the Winnipeg Jets could probably make the playoffs with that guy. But I doubt they can win a Stanley Cup with him. The offense is good and the defense is good. The goaltending? It was really good last season.

But Connor Hellebuyck has one season of stud-level play in his pocket, just like a lot of goalies. Look, goaltending is fickle. It would be foolish to assume Helly will compete for the Vezina year after year.

He could be Steve Mason reincarnated. Maybe Mason rubbed off on him in the locker room and during goaltending drills. You never know how these things go down until they’ve gone down. And maybe Hellebuyck will too.

I’m not saying he’s a one-year wonder. He looks really good, he does. But I’ve seen lots of goalies look good. And if he doesn’t, suddenly the Jets look a lot less promising.

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