In a twist of fate, the Winnipeg Jets got Connor Hellebucyk Re-Signed. The deal is for seven years and worth $8,500,000 per season. Even despite all the rumours surrounding a trade, they got the deal done.
Connor Helleybuck Re-Signed With The ‘Peg
After stating he does not want to be part of a rebuild, a “Connor Hellebucyk re-signed” headline seemed off the table. But there seems to be an influx of young talent coming through the system, with guys like Gabe Vilardi, Cole Perfetti and several others. Plus, bringing back another long-time member of the club, Mark Scheifele, seemingly helped convince the elite goaltender to return to the team.
What The Winnipeg Jets Are Retaining
Connor Hellebuyck is one great talent. Over the course of his career, he has shown nothing but brilliance in the crease. In addition, Hellebuyck is coming off a Vezina Trophy calibre season for the Jets. Hellebuyck finished with a 37-25-2 record, 2.49 goals against average, and a .920 save percentage. In addition, his 30.8 goals saved above expected ranks him fourth in the league. He was a rock in the net for the Jets and a good reason why they secured a playoff spot.
For a team wanting reinforcements in the crease, Hellebuyck is a sure bet to take the team to the next level. You know what you are getting when Hellebucyk is in the crease.
What This Means for the Jets
The Jets, though there is no guarantee, have a lot to prove now with making the playoffs. Getting Connor Hellebucyk re-signed, especially knowing his mind-set on a rebuild, means the management is locked into keeping true to a promise. They will attempt to become true contenders moving forward. That means making the playoffs and pushing the top teams for deep runs. While Hellebucyk will do a lot of the heavy lifting in that area, it’s now time for the Jets to show that they will not enter a rebuild. That means they’ll start competing for the Stanley Cup.
Main Photo: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports
