Words can’t fully describe how insane Connor Hellebuyck was last year for the Winnipeg Jets. Then again, his trophy case says it all. Hellebuyck became just the fifth goaltender in NHL history to win both the Hart Trophy and the Vezina Trophy in the same season, adding a third career Vezina to his résumé while carrying the Jets night in and night out. Say what you want about the playoffs—his regular season was still historic.

To put that in perspective, the only other goalies to pull off the Hart/Vezina double are legends like Jacques Plante (1961–62), Dominik Hasek (1996–97, 1997–98), Jose Theodore (2001–02), and Carey Price (2014–15). By joining that group, Hellebuyck didn’t just prove he was the league’s most valuable player—he cemented himself as one of the best goalies of his generation. And for a fifth-round pick who worked his way up through the AHL, that’s pretty impressive.

Hellebuyck started 63 games in the 2024–25 regular season, posting an incredible 47-12-3 record with 8 shutouts. He finished with a .925 save percentage and a 2.01 goals-against average, putting up one of the best statistical seasons of his career. What made it even more impressive was how much the Jets leaned on him. Winnipeg’s record without him was far more ordinary, showing just how much of a difference he made. Night after night, he gave the Jets a chance to win—even when the team in front of him wasn’t perfect.

Heading into this season, the expectation for the reigning MVP is simple: keep it going. What more can you really ask from a goaltender who consistently delivers at such a high level? Sure, there are always small things he’ll tweak in his game, but from a fan’s perspective, we’re getting way more than we could ever hope for between the pipes.

Of course, the 2025 playoffs raised some questions. The St. Louis series wasn’t kind to Hellebuyck, who got pulled in every road game after some uncharacteristic struggles. But when the Jets needed him most, he bounced back. In Game 7, he looked like his old self—sharp in both overtime periods and showing the confidence that made him the league’s MVP. Call it playoff jitters, call it a learning curve—either way, he found his game when it mattered.

One of the hardest things for a goalie is rebounding after a rough outing, and that was something Hellebuyck wrestled with in Round 1. During the regular season, we’re used to seeing him reset instantly, but in St. Louis, it felt like the crowd was echoing in his head with every goal allowed. At home, though, it was a completely different story. The Winnipeg crowd gave him energy, and he fed off it to help push the Jets forward—even if he wasn’t at 100%.

Round 2 against Dallas showed progress. Hellebuyck looked more confident, recording two shutouts at home in front of a raucous Winnipeg crowd. Road struggles still plagued the Jets, though, as they dropped all three games in Dallas and fell in six. While it wasn’t perfect, it was a noticeable improvement from Round 1, and it showed that Hellebuyck can adjust and rise to the occasion when needed.

Looking ahead, the Jets will be leaning on Hellebuyck harder than ever. With a defence that’s been tweaked and a forward group still finding consistency, the margin for error is small. That means the MVP goalie will again be the backbone of this team, expected to shoulder another heavy workload. The question isn’t whether he can handle it—he’s proven that many times—but whether the team in front of him can match his level when it matters most.

For Hellebuyck, the mission is clear: maintain that elite regular-season play and carry it deep into the playoffs. The Jets can only go as far as their goalie takes them, and if Winnipeg wants to make a real run at the Stanley Cup, it all starts—and ends—with number 37. He’s already built a Hall of Fame résumé; now, the only thing missing is the Cup.