ANALYSIS: A decade into his career, Jets’ Hellebuyck has eyes on the prize

By his ain admission, the lone trophy that Connor Hellebuyck genuinely cares astir winning present — 10 years into his NHL vocation with the Winnipeg Jets — is the Stanley Cup.

With respect to the 2 Vezina trophies he’s earned arsenic the league’s apical goaltender, including past year’s wherever helium took 31 of the 32 first-place votes, it’s each astir capturing the league’s apical prize from present connected out.

But based connected his show frankincense acold this season, it mightiness beryllium hard for the 31-year-old to debar immoderate further idiosyncratic accolades portion astatine the aforesaid clip perchance starring his squad to the Holy Grail.

After making a season-high 43 saves Monday successful a triumph implicit rival Minnesota, Hellebuyck present leads the league successful wins, goals-against average, prevention percent and shutouts. In 3 of those 4 categories, he’s the runaway leader.

And portion those numbers — should they stay accordant – would undoubtedly gain him a 3rd Vezina, lone this clip unanimously, they are besides exemplary capable to marque him an aboriginal favourite for some the Hart Trophy and Lindsay Award.

You see, for arsenic bully arsenic the Jets person been this season, nary of it would beryllium imaginable without Hellebuyck’s nonstop contribution. His efforts, much than anyone else’s, connected the Jets this play person paced Winnipeg to the NHL’s penthouse.

Furthermore, with the USA’s roster for their 4 Nations Face-Off squad acceptable to beryllium announced a week from Wednesday, expect Hellebuyck to not lone beryllium named to it, but besides to find the wrong way to the starting occupation successful goal.

And sure, an planetary rubric would beryllium a bully speech to what’s shaping up to beryllium an unthinkable play for the Michigan product, determination is truly lone 1 award, title oregon trophy helium cares to win, present 10 years into his NHL vocation – and that’s a cupful named Stanley.