Elliotte Friedman offered a fresh explanation on 32 Thoughts for why the Winnipeg Jets and San Jose Sharks never got close on Connor Hellebuyck. The two sides did talk, but it went nowhere.
According to Friedman, Hellebuyck would consider San Jose, but he wants to win inside the next three years, and the Sharks aren’t convinced they’ll be in that window.
That last part is what set people off, because it reads as a goaltender setting terms for a championship he hasn’t yet delivered anywhere.
“We all want a lot of things. Part of life is sometimes you can’t get what you want. A huge majority of players never win a Cup. Enjoy your millions with a Jet on your chest and shut up,” one fan wrote.
“No one is going to give a f*** what Connor Hellebuyck wants. Guy should have tried winning a f***ing playoff game before quitting on his team,” another said.
A third went after the premise entirely. “The idea that you’re entitled to a Cup is insane. There’s been some wicked teams in Winnipeg that have bowed out early in the playoffs because of Hellebuyck.”
What is Connor Hellebuyck’s playoff record?
The numbers are why that argument keeps landing. Hellebuyck owns a career postseason record of 24-34 with a .903 save percentage and a 2.90 goals-against average, against career regular-season marks of .918 and 2.56. Across the Jets’ three most recent playoff runs he has posted an .870 save percentage, and he has lost 10 consecutive road playoff games with a 5.07 goals-against average in them.
Winnipeg has escaped the first round twice during his time in net. Both of those runs ended in four straight losses.
One fan summed up the mood with a line about the trophy itself. “The hardest trophy to win in sports, you can’t just win it when you want to. I hope the Jets go all the way this year.”
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That reputation is also what’s keeping the market quiet. Nick Kypreos reported that Buffalo, San Jose and Utah continue to monitor the situation, while an unnamed NHL executive explained the hold-up bluntly.
“He’s 33, with a reputation for not delivering in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, so it’s challenging to match a return value with his current and future value,” the executive said.
Hellebuyck remains suspended for failing to report to training camp, with five years left on a contract carrying an $8.5 million cap hit.
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