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Hellebuyck agreed to terms on a six-year, $37 million contract with Winnipeg on Thursday.
Impact
It was only a question of when Hellebuyck's new deal would get done, as the netminder had previously filed for salary arbitration. The Michigan native finally had his breakout performance last year, as he went 44-11-9 with six shutouts, a 2.36 GAA and a .924 save percentage -- all of which saw him finish second in the Vezina Trophy voting behind Pekka Rinne. At $6.167 million AAV, Hellebuyck's deal puts him in line with Braden Holtby, Corey Crawford and Cory Schneider.
Hellebuyck was fantastic in 2017-18, compiling a highly impressive 44-11-9 record while posting a 2.36 GAA and .924 save percentage in 67 appearances. The 25-year-old netminder is undoubtedly a huge part of the Jets' plans for the future, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him sign a long-term deal with Winnipeg prior to his arbitration hearing.
Hellebuyck was tendered a qualifying offer by Winnipeg on Monday.
Impact
The move to qualify Hellebuyck is more of a formality than anything else, as the club is working on locking the netminder into a long-term deal. The Michigan native firmly cemented himself as the No. 1 netminder in Manitoba last season and will likely command a deal similar to that of Pittsburgh's Matt Murray, who signed a three-year, $11.25 million deal ahead of the 2017-18 campaign.
Hellebuyck is expected to earn a long-term contract from the Jets, Sportsnet reports.
Impact
No surprise here. Hellebuyck is a finalist for the 2018 Vezina Trophy following a breakout campaign comprised of a 44-11-9 record, 2.36 GAA and .924 save percentage from the regular season. The American netminder guided the Jets all the way to the conference finals, though he ran into trouble against a Golden Knights club playing out a fairytale narrative in its inaugural campaign. Hellebuyck inked a one-year, $2.25 million contract to stay in Winnipeg last summer, but it's safe to say he'll command a serious pay raise upon agreeing to his next deal.
Hellebuyck turned away 30 of 32 shots Sunday in a Game 5 series loss to the Golden Knights.
Impact
It's hard to fault Hellebuyck for the goals that he allowed in this one. First, Alex Tuch created a turnover in the Winnipeg zone and whipped around for a beautiful wrist shot, and then Ryan Reeves deflected a long shot from defenseman Luca Sbisa that bounced off the crossbar and fell into the cage behind Hellebuyck. While this obviously wasn't the outcome the Michigan native was hoping for, it's worth noting that he was stellar throughout the playoffs based on a 2.36 GAA and .922 save percentage through 17 games -- numbers that were nearly identical to the peripherals that Hellebuyck posted in the regular season. Winnipeg's fifth-round (130th overall) draft selection from 2012 is firmly entrenched as a No. 1 fantasy goaltender heading into the 2018-19 campaign.
Hellebuyck will man the crease Sunday during Game 5 against Vegas, Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun reports.
Impact
Hellebuyck and his Jets are backed up against the wall down 3-1 to Vegas. After a great showing against Nashville with a 2.44 GAA and .929 save percentage, the Michigan native is struggling in the Western Conference finals, with those numbers worsening to 2.81 and .897, respectively. The 25-year-old netminder will need to catch fire immediately if Winnipeg has a chance at coming back from the 3-1 hole.
Hellebuyck yielded three goals on 29 shots during Friday's 3-2 loss to the Golden Knights.
Impact
Hellebuyck, who will be 25 years old Saturday, allowed a go-ahead goal by Reilly Smith with 6:58 left in the third period, and Winnipeg was unable to recover. This was the third straight game Hellebuyck allowed three goals on less than 30 shots, and now he'll be facing elimination at home Sunday. The Michigan native marked a .927 save percentage and two shutouts through the first two series, but he sports an .897 save percentage in the conference finals.
Hellebuyck will get the starting nod for Friday's Game 4 clash with Vegas, Tim Campbell of NHL.com reports.
Impact
Hellebuyck's numbers in the Jets' previous two contests have been far from stellar -- he sports an .895 save percentage and 3.08 GAA -- but there was little doubt he was going to be back between the pipes Friday. The Michigan native has the unenviable task of trying to match the performance of opposing netminder Marc-Andre Fleury -- who has registered four shutouts in the playoffs.
Hellebuyck stopped 26 of the 29 shots he faced in Game 3, dropping a 4-2 decision to the Golden Knights on Wednesday.
Impact
With virtually everyone not named Mark Scheifele struggling on offense for the Peggers in Game 3, Hellebuyck needed to be all but perfect to steal a win. Instead, he misplayed the puck behind his net to allow James Neal an open goal, sapping any momentum the Jets might have gained from Scheifele's first goal. Hellebuyck has been acceptable in this series, but if the Jets' offense isn't firing, as has been the case since the first period of Game 1, acceptable won't be good enough for either his team or yours.
Hellebuyck will defend the net during Wednesday's Game 3 against the Golden Knights, Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun reports.
Impact
Hellebuyck has been a steady presence between the pipes this postseason, owning a 2.47 GAA and a .931 save percentage on the road. He surrendered three goals to Vegas in a Game 2 loss, but he will attempt to uneven the series with another strong performance Wednesday.
2012
