The Winnipeg Jets have avoided arbitration with Connor Hellebuyck, signing the goaltender to a one-year $2.25MM contract for 2017-18. Hellebuyck was scheduled for an arbitration hearing on August 1st, but will instead come back on a short-term deal. Hellebuyck was Winnipeg’s final restricted free agent to sign this summer. 
It will be interesting to see the role for Hellebuyck this season after the Jets brought in Steve Mason in unrestricted free agency for $4.1MM per season. Still just 24, Hellebuyck struggled at times with the starting role last year and only finished with a .907 save percentage for the season. The team also still has Michael Hutchinson under contract for $1.15MM this season, though he’s a candidate for waivers and a role in the AHL similar to Ondrej Pavelec last season.
Hellebuyck has come a long way since being selected in the fifth round in 2o12, but will need to prove that he can handle a bigger role before the team hands him the net long-term. Though his youth and potential would be a perfect fit for a Jets team that is on the rise, they have struggled too long with below average goaltending and will hope Mason can stabilize the position for the next couple of seasons.
The deal will leave Hellebuyck as a restricted free agent again next summer, and the Jets in a tough spot should he improve on his production this season. Should he be in line for a raise once again, they’ll have quite the expensive duo in net for 2018-19.
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