Hellebuyck for The Hart Trophy?

Published: Wednesday, April 2, 2025

by Kyle Ferreira

Throughout NHL history, the goaltender position has rarely taken home the Hart Trophy.  

In a league full of talented netminders, forwards often dominate the league’s most valuable player award, much like the NFL with quarterbacks. Whether it’s Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, or Nathan MacKinnon, goal scorers and playmakers often end up with the award.  

Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price won the award in the 2014-15 season and remains the latest at the position to win it. Historically, the only player between the pipes to win it twice was Buffalo’s Dominik Hasek in the 1996-97 and 1997-98 seasons. It’s surprising to realize all-time greats like the Devils’ Martin Brodeur or the Rangers’ Henrik Lundqvist never captured the award while playing.

However, one American goaltender in the Canadian province of Manitoba may finally break the decade-long drought for the position. The Winnipeg Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck needs no introduction for die-hard hockey fans. For those unaware, Hellebuyck is having an incredible season for one of the league’s best teams.

As of March 30, the Jets have the most points in the league (106), already have more than 50 wins, and are Stanley Cup contenders. While Kyle Connor has provided scoring highlights this season with 38 goals, Hellebuyck may be the best goaltender in the world right now.

Following the Devils’ 4-0 shutout loss to the Jets on Friday, Devils defenseman Brett Pesce had high praise for Hellebuyck.

Hellebuyck recorded 24 saves in the game and earned his NHL-leading seventh shutout of the season. Notably, he is now tied with Ryan Miller for the second-most shutouts by a U.S.-born goalie with 44.

Being one of the NHL’s best goaltenders is nothing new for Hellebuyck. He’s a two-time First All-Star Team member, won the William M. Jennings Trophy last season, and is a two-time Vezina Trophy winner. He’s also the main man in net for the United States, as shown in this year’s Four Nations Faceoff in February.

Even though his numbers during his second Vezina Trophy campaign last season were fantastic, this season they are incredible. He leads the league with a career-high 43 wins, has the NHL’s lowest goals-against average at 2.03, a career best, and owns a league-leading .925 save percentage. He is also the league leader in shutouts this season.

For the Michigan native, there is no doubt he should be considered one of the finalists for the award. However, based on recent history, voters will most likely pick a star forward.

The MVP discussion has been prevalent in many sports this past year. In the NFL, it was Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. In college football, it was Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty. Over in the NBA, it’s been Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander battling for it.

Right now, Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl and Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon are each looking for their second Hart Trophy and fighting Hellebuyck for it. But what favors Hellebuyck most is that, without him, the Jets would be far worse. Hockey is a team sport, and when looking at Draisaitl and MacKinnon’s teams, there’s still a lot of great talent around them.

Colorado has one of the best defensemen in Cale Makar, and Edmonton has the best player in the world in Connor McDavid. The Jets have great players like the previously mentioned Kyle Connor, along with alternate captains Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrissey. Yet, Connor Hellebuyck is their best player by far and has put them in prime position to win the Stanley Cup this season.

In such a historic season for the Jets and Hellebuyck, a lot can happen from now to June. If Hellebuyck were to win the Hart Trophy, he would become the first American-born goaltender to earn the honor. Assuming he wins the Vezina Trophy again, it would be the third time in his career.

Of course, Hellebuyck would be a major part of a championship run for the Jets, a team still looking for its first Stanley Cup. For a small-market city with a great fan base like Winnipeg, it would be amazing to see.

The quest for the Hart will continue for Hellebuyck as his squad heads west to Los Angeles on Tuesday following their 3-1 win over Vancouver on Sunday.

Kyle Ferreira can be reached at kyle.ferreira@student.shu.edu. 

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