Hellebuyck not worried about repeating standout year: 'Expectations kill'

Winnipeg Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck has plenty on his plate heading into the 2025-26 season, but he insists he's not swept up in the sky-high expectations.

Hellebuyck is tasked with following up the best campaign of his career after he won MVP and the Vezina Trophy while leading the Jets to the league's top regular-season record. This year, he's got a chance to make his mark for the United States at the Olympics and bounce back from a disappointing showing in the playoffs.

"I'm kind of going into it as just another season, just another season," Hellebuyck told NHL.com's Dan Rosen on Wednesday. "We're continuing to build, but I don't want to bring expectations into it. I think expectations kill. I've seen it enough. We're a good team, but sometimes you don't win when you expect to win, and you win when you don't expect to win.

"Really just trying to keep all expectations off the table and go in with a fresh slate. We're going to build our game the way we ended last year, put our best foot forward, and let everything fall into place."

Hellebuyck led all goaltenders in wins, shutouts, goals against average, and goals saved above expected last season. He was the first netminder in 10 years to win the Hart Trophy, but that success was tarnished by a shocking playoffs in which he posted a .866 save percentage across 13 appearances.

It marked the third consecutive year Hellebuyck recorded a sub-.900 save clip in the postseason. Although the narrative of not being a playoff performer has attached to the 32-year-old, Hellebuyck says he's comfortable with his ability to manage highs and lows.

"I was always really good at controlling my emotions," Hellebuyck said. "But there was always a point in the season where I would get burnt, have to get it off my chest with my goalie coach, and then we were back to square one. Managing your stress levels is something ... that I've identified through the years that can enhance your consistency."