The Winnipeg Jets may be getting Connor Hellebuyck back sooner than expected, as he was activated from injured reserve on Saturday.
Winnipeg has activated Connor Hellebuyck off IR. Just 3 weeks after an arthroscopic knee procedure. #GoJetsGo
At this point in time, that is the only update regarding Hellebuyck. He had been practicing this week, and Jets head coach Scott Arniel had hinted at a return coming sooner than expected, but for now, a starter hasn’t been confirmed for the Jets’ Saturday night game against the Washington Capitals at 6 p.m. CST. Arniel didn’t confirm that Hellebuyck will start on Saturday, but he also didn’t rule the goaltender either.
This move comes only three weeks after the Jets announced that Hellebuyck would miss 4-6 weeks after undergoing surgery on a knee injury. The return comes earlier than expected, with their being some concern that it’s being rushed, especially with how much the Jets have struggles without Hellebuyck. They’ve gone 2-8-1 in 11 games without their Hart Trophy-winning netminder.
Hellebuyck has been off to a good but not great start, at least by his lofty standards. He has an 8-6-0 record, a .913 save percentage and a 6.64 5v5 goals saved above expected in 14 games this season, which is a bit lower than his marks of .921 and .925 save percentages in his last two seasons, which won him two Vezina Trophies and a Hart.
When Hellebuyck returns, Eric Comrie will step back into a backup role as usual. He struggled in the starter’s role, but mostly in terms of wins, which the team in front of him was more at fault for. While a 6-8-1 record and .886 SV% isn’t the prettiest, Comrie still has a 5.29 5v5 GSAx, indicating that he was playing well, but not good enough to overcome the Jets’ poor defensive play like Hellebuyck can, as the team has the fourth-worst 5v5 expected goals against per 60 minutes at 2.98
As of right now, the Jets haven’t made a corresponding roster move to send Domenic DiVincentiis back to the AHL. He didn’t get into any NHL action since being recalled last week, as he was largely brought up due to the struggles of Thomas Milic in the backup role behind Comrie.
