Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger called the biggest challenger to Connor Hellebuyck

The Dallas Stars may already be focused on another Stanley Cup push, but their goaltender is getting national recognition as one of the NHL's top candidates for the Vezina Trophy.

According to Sports Illustrated, Jake Oettinger is among the three goaltenders best positioned to challenge Connor Hellebuyck for the award in 2025-26.

Hellebuyck, the Winnipeg Jets' superstar, has dominated the position with back-to-back Vezina wins and even captured the Hart Trophy as league MVP last season. But as SI pointed out, the reign of the Jets' netminder won't last forever, and someone will eventually rise to dethrone him.

Oettinger, entering his prime at 26 years old, is seen as one of the best bets to make it happen. Read the full feature here.

Why Jake Oettinger's consistency makes him a Vezina threat

Oettinger's résumé speaks for itself. He has recorded four straight 30+ win seasons and has never posted a goals-against average higher than 2.72 since debuting in the NHL. Last year, he finished with a .909 save percentage and again carried the Stars deep into the postseason.

As SI noted:

"Oettinger is elite in every facet and is coming off his fourth straight 30+ win season at 26 years old."

The Stars' goaltender isn't the only name on the list, however. Calgary's Dustin Wolf, a Calder finalist last season, was highlighted for his athleticism and potential to take a big step forward.

Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy was also included, a future Hall of Famer who continues to put up remarkable numbers, including a .921 save percentage and 38 wins last season.

But it's Oettinger who represents the perfect blend of age, skill, and opportunity. On a Dallas roster with Stanley Cup ambitions, his play will determine just how far they can go.

Personally, I think this recognition is overdue, Oettinger has been carrying heavy workloads for years, and his consistency deserves to be in the league-wide spotlight.