Connor Hellebuyck has spent years building an ironclad case as one of the NHL’s most dominant regular-season goaltenders. He has three Vezina Trophies, a Hart as MVP, and is, basically, a statistical monster. Yet the narrative that follows him into every spring is the same: he struggles in big games, his numbers fade in the playoffs, and that ugly “choker” label rears its ugly head.
Mark Lazerus put it bluntly in his Feb. 18 Athletic article, noting:
“No label is more offensive to a professional athlete than that of ‘choker.’ It’s a term that’s probably too harsh for Hellebuyck, who is not solely to blame for the Jets’ inability to get past the second round… But it’s not far off, either.”
Over the last three postseasons, Hellebuyck posted a .872 save percentage in 23 games (39th among qualifiers), allowed 13 more goals than expected (dead last), while the Jets scraped out just one series win. The scrutiny lands heaviest on Winnipeg’s best player.
Enter the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics. Entering elimination games, Hellebuyck is having fun while changing the narrative about his play in big contests. He’s 2-0 with a tournament-leading .952 save percentage, 1.00 GAA, and 40 saves on 42 shots against Latvia and Germany. Teammates like Dylan Larkin call him “a gamer” they’d trust in any net. “I just love his confidence, I love his calmness,” said Matthew Tkachuk. “It’s exactly what you want in a No. 1 goalie.”
A deep run—or better yet, Olympic gold—could be the triumph Lazerus says is needed to “rip off” the choker label.
Jets’ Seller Mode Meets Hellebuyck’s Olympic Performance
For Winnipeg, this Olympic spotlight couldn’t come at a worse (or better?) time. The Jets are embracing seller status ahead of the March 6 deadline. Their playoff odds are hovering around 5-8%, and they have a higher chance at the top pick than a postseason berth. Veterans like Luke Schenn, Logan Stanley, Gustav Nyquist, and possibly others are in play for picks/prospects.
Hellebuyck? He’s the untouchable cornerstone—locked in long-term, MVP-caliber talent. But if the Jets fully commit to a rebuild (or if playoff hopes evaporate entirely), his name could surface in “what-if” conversations. A pending UFA in a few years, massive cap hit, and that lingering playoff rep make him a fascinating asset for contenders desperate for a proven No. 1.
If he “chokes” against Sweden or Canada, does that change the way the Jets see him? Probably not, but stranger things have happened.
Then again, Olympic dominance flips the script. Success in Milan makes trading him unthinkable—why move your franchise goalie when he’s proving he can finally handle pressure? Even if everything else in Winnipeg is going sideways, Hellebuyck becomes the one thing the Jets can depend on. A strong showing throughout the Olympics gives GM Kevin Cheveldayoff leverage to keep the core intact for one more push, with Hellebuyck the face of that push.
If Hellebuyck shuts down Sweden, advances to semis, chases gold—the “choker” label fades, trade what-ifs evaporate, and Hellebuyck returns to Winnipeg with only one question on his mind: how do the Jets get better for next season?
Next: Team USA’s Lineup Choices Don’t Make Any Sense
Discover more from NHL Trade Talk
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
