Is Connor Hellebuyck tracking to be a HHOFer?

[wetcoast]

Simple question and as I really know the least about goalies I'm interested in what others have to say on this idea..

Simply put is he tracking to a HHOF career and if not what does he need?

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[The Panther]

Good chance, yes. I personally think he's the best goalie in the NHL --- which is to say, in the world.

He's record so far is great, so he's doing well enough, but he's already 30 and has had just that one playoff push (2018) early in his career. So, a little more playoff success would help, but yes, in general, he's on the Hall of Fame track.

 

[I Hate Blake Coleman]

If the Jets win and he gets the Smythe, then maybe. A couple Vezinas and a Smythe would merit consideration, even if he has to wait a few years more.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

He still needs 5 more solid years but is without doubt on track.

I don’t think there’s another current goalie close.

Shesterkin and sirloin are great but haven’t built up the resume yet. Same with Ullmark and Swayman.

He’s absolutely lights out.

If you’re not familiar with him or don’t watch him - he’s pretty much void of highlight real saves because his whole approach is about being set up to not have to make desperation saves. So he’s rarely on the nightly highlights. Just consistent and efficient goaltending.

Kinda crazy to watch to be honest.

 

[koyvoo]

He still needs 5 more solid years but is without doubt on track.

I don’t think there’s another current goalie close.

Shesterkin and sirloin are great but haven’t built up the resume yet. Same with Ullmark and Swayman.

He’s absolutely lights out.

If you’re not familiar with him or don’t watch him - he’s pretty much void of highlight real saves because his whole approach is about being set up to not have to make desperation saves. So he’s rarely on the nightly highlights. Just consistent and efficient goaltending.

Kinda crazy to watch to be honest.

The most delicious of all goalies.

 

[wetcoast]

He still needs 5 more solid years but is without doubt on track.

I don’t think there’s another current goalie close.

Shesterkin and sirloin are great but haven’t built up the resume yet. Same with Ullmark and Swayman.

He’s absolutely lights out.

If you’re not familiar with him or don’t watch him - he’s pretty much void of highlight real saves because his whole approach is about being set up to not have to make desperation saves. So he’s rarely on the nightly highlights. Just consistent and efficient goaltending.

Kinda crazy to watch to be honest.

You don't think that Andrei Vasilevskiy is close or even ahead of him?

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

The most delicious of all goalies.

lol. Damn autocorrect. I’m just gonna leave it.

 

[wetcoast]

The most delicious of all goalies.

What does that even mean?

I ask this looking deeply into your avatar.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

You don't think that Andrei Vasilevskiy is close or even ahead of him?

Oh god. He’s assumed to be. Sorry - he was already amazing before Connor joined the league.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I think so. The bar is unfairly high for goalies, but getting slightly more reasonable lately. Guys who are among the top goalies of their generation have a good shot even if they don’t have the hardware you’d expect (Luongo). It’s now more about just being consistently very good, which he is.

- Hellebuyck has a Vezina which is a huge qualifier.
- He is probably going to be a finalist for the 4th time this season which is big.
- He’s entering the top-60 in wins having just passed names like Dryden and Bower, with Parent and Giacomin coming up. A modest projection of 100 more career wins would have him finish near guys like Price and Rinne, who have HOF-level chops of their own.
- A Cup would help, but I don’t think he needs one. What he does need is a deep run to leave a mark on peoples’ memory. 2018 was good but it’s not enough. He needs more like a Finals run.


The playoff part of this is the toughest box to check. I think he has it in him, but he will struggle to get inducted if he keeps dipping out in the first round, regardless whether that’s his fault or not.

 

[Turin]

Needs to win/stock pile a couple more vezinas. But I'd say he's probably tracking to be so, he's like the last elite workhorse goalie but has no real playoff success to show for it.

 

[wetcoast]

I think so. The bar is unfairly high for goalies, but getting slightly more reasonable lately. Guys who are among the top goalies of their generation have a good shot even if they don’t have the hardware you’d expect (Luongo). It’s now more about just being consistently very good, which he is.

- Hellebuyck has a Vezina which is a huge qualifier.
- He is probably going to be a finalist for the 4th time this season which is big.
- He’s entering the top-60 in wins having just passed names like Dryden and Bower, with Parent and Giacomin coming up. A modest projection of 100 more career wins would have him finish near guys like Price and Rinne, who have HOF-level chops of their own.
- A Cup would help, but I don’t think he needs one. What he does need is a deep run to leave a mark on peoples’ memory. 2018 was good but it’s not enough. He needs more like a Finals run.

The playoff part of this is the toughest box to check. I think he has it in him, but he will struggle to get inducted if he keeps dipping out in the first round, regardless whether that’s his fault or not.

This last part was the thing that I think most people might question but frankly they need to consider if it's a fair evaluation or not.

 

[castle]

the advanced stats have always looked really good. A good few more years of the same should do it. Getting some playoff wins and good performances might be a necessity. At least that’s my opinion. You have to perform when it counts on those occasions when they come to you

 

[MardyBum]

A cup would guarantee it, but I have faith in him being #1 all time in wins for a US goalie when he hangs them up. Hopefully has a cup too.

 

[tarheelhockey]

This last part was the thing that I think most people might question but frankly they need to consider if it's a fair evaluation or not.

I think it’s at least semi-fair. I look at what Bobrovsky did last spring, what Price did on his way to the Finals, and even if those runs ended badly it was the stuff HHOF careers are made of. Helle hasn’t really had that signature run unless you call it 2018, and that fell pretty flat after two rounds where he was very good but not legendary. He needs to have that moment of putting his team on his back and carrying them into the big spotlight.

Otherwise, it’s asking the voters to overlook all that, and the voters’ behavior is a known quantity by now. Even if it’s not fair, the bar is the bar.

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

What does that even mean?

I ask this looking deeply into your avatar.

Once I make the 'Is Sirloin tracking to be one of those rare goalies to make the HHOF?' thread in five minutes it will all make sense to you. Sit tight, I assure you the kitchen is working on it right now. May I interest you in some local Marleau HHOF 2022?

 

[wetcoast]

I think it’s at least semi-fair. I look at what Bobrovsky did last spring, what Price did on his way to the Finals, and even if those runs ended badly it was the stuff HHOF careers are made of. Helle hasn’t really had that signature run unless you call it 2018, and that fell pretty flat after two rounds where he was very good but not legendary. He needs to have that moment of putting his team on his back and carrying them into the big spotlight.

Otherwise, it’s asking the voters to overlook all that, and the voters’ behavior is a known quantity by now. Even if it’s not fair, the bar is the bar.

I get all of that but the bar is the bar really is too rigid and doesn't conform to context but maybe that's why we have up to 5 starting goalies during periods of the 06 era in the HHOF and then the bar still applies without giving context.

 

[cam7aylor]

hate to use the "G" word, but within this generation of goalies in the NHL within the past 10 years he's consistently been in the top 3 goalies year in year out since he has established himself.

His "boring" playstyle is beneficial for a long career as to pad his stats, and If he can snag another Vezina or two and maybe a Stanley there's no reason why he shouldn't be.

 

[MXD]

Probably on the low-end for netminders unless something crazy that won't happen actually happens. What really hurts him is not playing any meaningful internationnal hockey.

 

[eojsmada]

Would like to see him get a Cup, but so far his career is tracking well.

 

[Weztex]

Once I make the 'Is Sirloin tracking to be one of those rare goalies to make the HHOF?' thread in five minutes it will all make sense to you. Sit tight, I assure you the kitchen is working on it right now. May I interest you in some local Marleau HHOF 2022?

He'll join Chuck Rayner and Frank Brisket.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

Probably on the low-end for netminders unless something crazy that won't happen actually happens. What really hurts him is not playing any meaningful internationnal hockey.

Didn’t seem to hurt Curtis Joseph.

No meaningful international play.

No cup. Heck no Stanley cup finals.

Hellebuyck and Joseph’s careers are tracking quite similarly. Both started at 22. Except 8 years in Connor has more playoff games and better playoff stats.

He’s already 61st in wins all time and likely has 10 years ahead of him.

Unless he is injured or his game falls off dramatically in the next 5 years he will be a first ballot entrant regardless of playoffs or international play.

 

[Gary Bets Man]

What’s with all these replies he needs a “few more Vezinas” and some people add AND a cup AND a Smythe? How many goalies of the last couple decades even have more than 1 Vézina OR a Smythe? You’d have to think a goalie Smythe is a lock for HHOF. As well as a single Vézina while being a top tier goalie in this league… for goodness sakes…

Not saying HE IS a lock, but come on… a COUPLE Vezinas, AND a Smythe and what else?

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

What’s with all these replies he needs a “few more Vezinas” and some people add AND a cup AND a Smythe? How many goalies of the last couple decades even have more than 1 Vézina OR a Smythe? You’d have to think a goalie Smythe is a lock for HHOF. As well as a single Vézina while being a top tier goalie in this league… for goodness sakes…

Not saying HE IS a lock, but come on… a COUPLE Vezinas, AND a Smythe and what else?

Delusional posters. lol.

 

[Breakers]

What’s with all these replies he needs a “few more Vezinas” and some people add AND a cup AND a Smythe? How many goalies of the last couple decades even have more than 1 Vézina OR a Smythe? You’d have to think a goalie Smythe is a lock for HHOF. As well as a single Vézina while being a top tier goalie in this league… for goodness sakes…

Not saying HE IS a lock, but come on… a COUPLE Vezinas, AND a Smythe and what else?

An Art Ross would help immensely