Connor Hellebuyck Agreed to a Six-Year Deal with Winnipeg

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NHL

The Michigan native’s Contract Worth $37 Million.

Last season, the Winnipeg Jets won their first playoff series in franchise history, beating the Minnesota Wild 4-1. In addition, the Jets made it to the Western Conference Finals that same year, routing the former Western Conference Champion Nashville Predators in seven games. Unfortunately, the Jets would fall to the Vegas Golden Knights 4-1. On Thursday, the Jets signed one of the key players that led the charge, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

Last season, Hellebuyck finished with incredible numbers. Hellebuyck finished the 2018 regular season with a 44-11-9 record, a 2.36 goals against average, a .924 save percentage, and six shutouts. He tied for first with Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy in regular season wins that season. Additionally, Hellebuyck broke the NHL record for most wins by an American goaltender in a single season with 44. The original record was 43, previously held by Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender, Tom Barrasso. Also, he tied the NHL record for most home wins in a season with 30. In the post-season, he was a dominant force, posting a 9-8 record, a .922 save percentage, a 2.36 goals against average, and two shutouts. As a result, he was a finalist for the Vezina trophy. The award was given to Nashville Predators goaltender, Pekka Rinne. Despite this, Hellebuyck will be a dominant force that will potentially fly the Jets to another post-season appearance.

Contract Details

As previously mentioned, Hellebuyck was resigned to a deal worth $37 million for six years. The annual average of the contract will be $6.167 million a year. According to CapFriendly.com, the deal will leave the Jets with a cap hit of a little less than $59 million with a little more than $20 million in spending room. With that much cap space, expect the Jets to strike a deal with another free agent before the season.