Why Reigning Hart Trophy Winner Connor Hellebuyck Enters 2025-26 Under Pressure

The 32-year-old Winnipeg Jets stopper joined Jacques Plante, Dominik Hasek (twice), Jose Theodore and Carey Price as the only netminders to snag both prestigious awards in the same season.

Hellebuyck’s stellar performances between the pipes helped guide the Jets to the Presidents’ Trophy and a 56-22-4 record. Once the playoff pressure was turned up, it all fell apart for the Michigan native and the Jets.

Playoff Struggles Are Nothing New for Hellebuyck

Winnipeg was sent packing in Game 6 of the Western Conference second round. In an instant, the Jets’ season was over when Thomas Harley hit the twine on an overtime one-timer. A dejected Hellebuyck sat in his crease surrounded by a sea of waving white towels and American Airlines Center blasting Pantera’s “Puck Off” goal song.

In stark contrast to his regular season numbers, Hellebuyck has endured horrid postseasons. His career regular season save percentage drops from .918 to .903 in the playoffs. In 2024-25, Hellebuyck’s goals saved above expected per 60 minutes fell from .635 to -.340 in the postseason.

The Jets haven’t made it past the second round since Hellebuyck’s rookie season of 2017-18, where his pivotal performances propelled Winnipeg to the Western Conference Final. Though the Jets were defeated by the Vegas Golden Knights in five games, Hellebuyck excelled to the tune of a .922 playoff save percentage.

Since then, his postseason play has cratered. Over his last 23 playoff appearances, Hellebuyck has struggled to a dismal .870 save percentage and a goals saved above average of -19.7.

Jets fans are pinning their hopes on their star netminder to recapture his playoff form. Individual hardware won’t mean much in 2025-26 unless Hellebuyck gets his mitts on the Conn Smythe Trophy to go along with a Stanley Cup ring.