Connor Hellebuyck Set for Saturday Start Amidst Contract Year and Postseason Rebound Hopes

Connor Hellebuyck is slated to start Saturday's road game against Calgary, entering a pivotal season as he plays out the final year of his six-year, $37 million contract signed in 2018. The 31-year-old goaltender is coming off a season where he reached 60 games, secured 37 wins, posted a 2.39 GAA (his best since 2017-18), and recorded five shutouts. However, his postseason was challenging, with a 1-4 record, .864 save percentage, and 24 goals conceded on 177 shots against Colorado. With Laurent Brossoit's departure, Hellebuyck's workload is expected to remain high, potentially exceeding 60 games, with Eric Comrie or Kaapo Kahkonen as backup. Historically, Hellebuyck has been a workhorse, leading goalies in games, saves, and shots faced in 2020-21, and winning the Vezina Trophy in 2019-20 with a 31-21-5 record and .922 SV%. Despite a strong 2022-23 campaign (37-25-2, 2.49 GAA, .920 SV% in 64 games), he "burned" fantasy owners in a prior season with a career-worst 2.97 GAA, highlighting his occasional inconsistency.