HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Thoughts on Connor Hellebuyck's long-term extension with the Winnipeg Jets?

can always count on tanner for a way off the board take in the hotstove.

Things are either amazing or terrible, there's no in between for him

"Hellebuyck gets Hella Bucks..."

From what I've seen out him last year, I think it's a worthy gamble to take. He looks like he got all the tools to be a top 5 goaltender in this league! In the salary cap era, all contracts are gonna suck at some point. I think the Jets got a solid net minder for a while here barring injury of course, and that can happen to anyone!

So your plan for a better contract is to sign him for 2 years taking him to UFA at the earliest possible moment, and then pay top dollar to keep him from other teams... solid.

Terrible contract. If you look at players who signed long term around his age you have:

Rask - 8 years at 10.89% of cap
Bob - 4 years at 10.17% of cap
Varly - 5 years at 9.18% of cap
Holtby - 5 years at 8.54% of cap
Helle - 6 years at 7.76% of cap
Anderson - 7 years a 7.00% of cap

Helle's contract is for more years and a lesser percentage of cap than his comps.

Vasi and Gibson contacts will be more (due to less RFA years).

Coming off a season where he made tangible changes to his technique and ended up 2nd in Vezina voting, taking his team to the conference finals. Seems like a fair deal to me.

I could have got behind another 1 year show me deal, but if he put up another strong season you'd be looking at 10% of cap instead of 7.75%. Goalies can be a gamble but Helle has been elite at every level. If you think this contract is terrible it's because you haven't followed his career.

can always count on tanner for a way off the board take in the hotstove.

Things are either amazing or terrible, there's no in between for him

Honestly...it's up in the air. If he consistently performs like he did last season, then it's a fantastic deal. If that's the case then a bridge deal would likely increase the cost of the next contract.

If he flops then it's a horrible, horrible deal...

Good or bad kind of almost doesnt matter. Its either they sign him or risk losing him to the market and not having a goalie again. Sure its a risk. And they are hoping he can maintain his progression. I think he will be fine. But all in all they basically had to get him signed because they cant risk having no goalie.

So your plan for a better contract is to sign him for 2 years taking him to UFA at the earliest possible moment, and then pay top dollar to keep him from other teams... solid.

Terrible contract. If you look at players who signed long term around his age you have:

Rask - 8 years at 10.89% of cap
Bob - 4 years at 10.17% of cap
Varly - 5 years at 9.18% of cap
Holtby - 5 years at 8.54% of cap
Helle - 6 years at 7.76% of cap
Anderson - 7 years a 7.00% of cap

Helle's contract is for more years and a lesser percentage of cap than his comps.

Vasi and Gibson contacts will be more (due to less RFA years).

Coming off a season where he made tangible changes to his technique and ended up 2nd in Vezina voting, taking his team to the conference finals. Seems like a fair deal to me.

I could have got behind another 1 year show me deal, but if he put up another strong season you'd be looking at 10% of cap instead of 7.75%. Goalies can be a gamble but Helle has been elite at every level. If you think this contract is terrible it's because you haven't followed his career.
- JimmyJet

Jimmy. Great post. I have not seen you post on the Jets regular thread ( this is not it) . However, you are welcome there. Lots of very smart hockey guys on there ( plus our own villiage idiot) . You should post more often.

So your plan for a better contract is to sign him for 2 years taking him to UFA at the earliest possible moment, and then pay top dollar to keep him from other teams... solid.

Terrible contract. If you look at players who signed long term around his age you have:

Rask - 8 years at 10.89% of cap
Bob - 4 years at 10.17% of cap
Varly - 5 years at 9.18% of cap
Holtby - 5 years at 8.54% of cap
Helle - 6 years at 7.76% of cap
Anderson - 7 years a 7.00% of cap

Helle's contract is for more years and a lesser percentage of cap than his comps.

Vasi and Gibson contacts will be more (due to less RFA years).

Coming off a season where he made tangible changes to his technique and ended up 2nd in Vezina voting, taking his team to the conference finals. Seems like a fair deal to me.

I could have got behind another 1 year show me deal, but if he put up another strong season you'd be looking at 10% of cap instead of 7.75%. Goalies can be a gamble but Helle has been elite at every level. If you think this contract is terrible it's because you haven't followed his career.
- JimmyJet

Very good, well thought out summary Jimmy.

I would counter that the only concern for 6+ million for 6 years on Hellybuck is the "track record" over a 4-5 year NHL schedule. The 4-5 ahead of Helly on your list have had MULTIPLE stellar seasons, awards, and even a Cup or two....Helly has a good background BEFORE the NHL...but in all fairness, just ONE real good NHL season to base this contract on.

Now....that said. I think he will be a Top 5-10 goalie over the next 5-6 years, and if so...the contract will be either fair, or quite likely a bargain over time.

Still, I see the point some make that Helly hasn't the track record yet to warrant such a leap of faith.....and IF he just peaked in a one-year "career" season and drops off the next several years...well....he wouldn't be the first....