Newly-signed Hellebuyck ready to shine
Connor Hellebuyck wants to prove that last season was a fluke.
A 2012 mid-round pick by the Winnipeg Jets, the Michigan native was given no shortage of opportunity in 2016-17, appearing in 56 games and posting a 26-19-4 record.
While the 24-year-old gets a passing grade in the team categories, individually he did not stack up as well. At .907, his save percentage ranked 19th among the 21 netminders with at least 50 starts, while his 2.89 GAA didn't fare any better, sitting second-last among his peers.
On Monday, Hellebuyck inked a one-year extension in Winnipeg, a deal which will see him earn $2.25 million next season and will serve as his chance to show why he deserves to remain part of the team's future.
"It's all on the line," Hellebuyck told Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun on Monday. "I learned a lot, got a whole lot better (last season), but I have a whole lot more to give. I got more to offer than what I showed last year. I look forward to doing that this year ... I owe these guys my best every night."
Hellebuyck saw the bulk of work in Winnipeg's crease last season, ahead of Michael Hutchinson and the experienced Ondrej Pavelec. But he'll have a new veteran voice in his corner this year after the Jets recruited former Philadelphia Flyers netminder Steve Mason in free agency, who was brought in on a two-year pact.
"I'm going to learn from (Mason)," Hellebuyck said. "He's a veteran guy who's been through the ropes. I'm going to take what I can from him. And you know what? It's going to push us both as goalies."
Mason can certainly relate to Hellebuyck, who put his name on the NHL map in 2008-09. That season, a 20-year-old Mason posted 33 wins in 61 games to drag the Columbus Blue Jackets to their first-ever playoff appearance. He was later rewarded with rookie of the year honors.
As he heads to Winnipeg, Mason may not see the crease as often as he did in his rookie campaign, especially with Hellebuyck motivated to shine when called upon.
"I'm going to (give) every ounce of effort I can on the ice to prove that I belong here and show them that last year was a fluke," Hellebuyck added. "I know I have more to give and I'm going to do that this year and prove it."