Winnipeg Jets: 5 Reasons a Stanley Cup is Coming - #3
Connor Hellebuyck is another asset the Jets have that isn’t talked about. But why should he be? Yea, he’s a goalie, and played for the Winnipeg Jets in a few games last year…
Connor was a 5th Round pick back in 2012, and has only played 26 career NHL games. If you look at his resume, that’s what you see. You also see an AHL season filled with more losses than wins, and a goals against average closer to three a game than two.
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That’s not Connor Hellebuyck. You’ll find even the best goalies in the world are taken outside the first round. Connor has slowly developed, and ripened in college, and the AHL to become the player he is today. The new standard for goaltenders, is to give them at least five years after being drafted, to come into the NHL stage. That means Connor should start progressing rapidly next season, and should start getting a little action this season.
How about Connor’s awful AHL season?
It’s not as bad as the statistics say. He was the backbone of the worst American Hockey League team there was. When he was out of the lineup, the Manitoba Moose played even worse.
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Those games all have high importance, and to have someone you can rely on in huge situations is just what the Jets need.
His calm, cool composure in the crease is that to the likes of Cory Schneider, and his athleticism, and desire to make every save humanly possible, especially in situations that mean the most, are similar to his other countryman Jonathan Quick.
Each of them are Vezina Trophy candidates year in, year out. This is exactly what the Jets need to win a cup, someone who can steal games for them. Winnipeg, get ready for Connor Hellebuyck to take the NHL by storm.
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