Can Connor Hellebuyck shake off Playoff woes and have another strong season

Hellebuyck had one of his best NHL seasons with a 37-19-4 record, 2.39 goals-against average, .921 save percentage and five shutouts, but that did not carry into the postseason; the 31-year-old was 1-4 with a 5.23 GAA and .870 save percentage. He gave up 24 goals in the Jets' five-game loss to the Colorado Avalanche in the best-of-7 Western Conference First Round, and was pulled after two periods in a 5-1 loss in Game 4.

Though the playoff defeat cannot be blamed entirely on Hellebuyck, how he reacts coming off the disappointing showing will have an impact on Winnipeg's success this season. Hellebuyck is going into the first year of a seven-year, $59.5 million contract ($8.5 million average annual value) he signed on Oct. 9, 2023.

Connor Hellebuyck has been playing at the top of his game over the better part of the last 5 season. Many argue that he is the best goaltender in the NHL. Most rankings have him in the coveted number 1 spot amongst goaltenders, yet only regular season success doesn't translate to playoff success. For Hellebuyck to truly cement his legacy he will need another strong season with hope on caring that towards hopefully a Stanley Cup Championship.

For Hellebuyck to sustain his previous numbers they will have to have a strong season from newly signed back up Kaapo Kähkönen. Kähkönen will be taking over the back up roll from Laurent Brossoit who left in free agency this offseason. Kähkönen will look to replicate the duo of Hellebuyck and Brossoit. The pair was the leagues best tandem last season.