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Winnipeg Jets: One Week In, Connor Hellebuyck Still Looks The Part of Stud NHL Goaltender

By Kyle McCarthy

WINNIPEG, MB - OCTOBER 9: Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets gets congratulated by teammate Kyle Connor #81 following a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at the Bell MTS Place on October 9, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - OCTOBER 9: Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets gets congratulated by teammate Kyle Connor #81 following a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at the Bell MTS Place on October 9, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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I heard a lot of people over the summer saying they didn’t believe in the Winnipeg Jets. Thought they were a fluke, and not one of the elite teams of the NHL.

I thought that was pretty foolish, and I’m not just being a homer for the old Winnipeg Jets. Plenty of high-end young forwards, deep blue line and finally, a Vezina worthy netminder made this team a rock solid pick for anyone.

They don’t have the sexiness of the Tampa Bay Lightning, or the following of some of their United States brethren, but this team is really, really good.

I got a lot of doubts about Patrik Laine, which, while he’s not the most complete player, he’s worked hard on his skating and all-around game. Every team in the league would be happy to have him.

I never bought into that one. The lack of a track record from some of their players, like Blake Wheeler‘s career-high in points in his 30s. Well, yeah, I think Wheeler benefits from playing with such a talented group.

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But that’s how good teams work, you bring each other up. Is Wheeler going to put up 90 points if you put him on the Rangers? No, but he’s going to produce and help those around him. That’s what he does. Is he slightly overpaid?

Maybe. Can he put up ~100 points this season without shocking anyone? Sure thing. The main detraction that I’ve been unable to assuage is Connor Hellebuyck‘s lack of long-term success.

The point could be argued either way. Goaltenders tend to fluctuate wildly from year to year, and finding consistency is tough. And Helly was mediocre as a full-time starter just the year before.

But also, he was only 23, and he’s always had ability (to be fair, almost every NHL goalie has the ability to dominate), but he’s quick and he’s good at getting into position. It could go either way. If he puts up another Vezina-quality season, it’ll be impossible to ignore him.

And he’s off to a good start so far. Yes, it’s three games. Yes, one of them was bad. But his overall numbers are still very strong, with a .926 save percentage and a 2.34 GAA, basically what he did last year.

Two games with one goal allowed, sandwiched between a 30 for 35 clunker. It happens. The defense didn’t do him any favors against Dallas and their powerplay. His performance in the opener was especially strong, saving 41 of 42 against St. Louis.

A strong showing tonight against the man who bested him in the Vezina voting (But lost the playoff battle) would go a long way toward quieting the critics.

But he’s looked sharp, despite the beating in Dallas. That wasn’t all on him. He’s quick, he’s in position, he’s even been better on rebounds in the early going.

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It doesn’t mean much if he falls flat, but hey, early returns are still returns, and they’re promising so far. I’ll obviously take a deeper dive later in the season to see what he’s doing well and what he could improve on.

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