In praise of the masked man – Winnipeg Free Press

Josh Morrissey knows who hed have included on his list of Hart Trophy finalists, if he had a say in the matter.

The masked man behind him, standing guard at the Winnipeg net, would have received the Jets defencemans vote.

"Obviously, theres so many great players in our league. Theres a lot of players who add big-time contributions to their teams. Thats the nature of any award. Its not a statistical-based award. Any time theres some discussion or potential for different players, thats what makes it exciting and fun and keeps talk shows busy, for sure. In my opinion, he should have been in the conversation," Morrissey said Wednesday.

"I dont think we would have been where we were at without him, thats for sure. Hes been our rock all year, hes been so solid for us... Im pretty sure in most guys minds in our room, hed be in (that group of) three players."

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck is a finalist for the Vezina trophy.

The winner of the Hart Trophy, determined by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and presented to the leagues most valuable player, will be either Edmontons Leon Draisaitl, Colorados Nathan MacKinnon or Artemi Panarin of the New York Rangers.

The finalists were announced by the NHL on Tuesday. The same three all-stars were named finalists for the Ted Lindsay Trophy, honouring the leagues most outstanding player as voted on by players.

Hellebuyck wasnt ignored, however. He joins Tuukka Rask of Boston and Andrei Vasilevskiy of Tampa Bay as the three finalists for the 2019-20 Vezina Trophy, awarded annually to the NHLs top goaltender.

Its the second time in three years the 2012 fifth-round draft pick has been up for the award.

"It motivates me because I want to prove myself even more," Hellebuyck said, from the Iceplex as the Jets continue their summer training camp. They battle the Calgary Flames in a qualifying round next month. "But now its playoffs, so no matter what youre coming with the right mindset and the right motivation because everyone wants to win a Cup, right?

"The other thing is, its a little bit of satisfaction that I finally have got a little bit of an achievement for all the hard work I put in. Its not chosen yet, but just being in that group of goaltenders is itself a milestone. I like them both so now Im using it as motivation but Im also happy that my hard work is paying off a little bit."

Hellebuyck was, unequivocally, Winnipegs most valuable player during the 2019-20 NHL season before it was cut short owing to the coronavirus pandemic. The Michigan product, who turned 27 in May, led all goalies in appearances (58), shots faced (1,796), saves (1,656) and shutouts (six), and ranked second in starts (56), wins (31) and minutes (3,268:33).

"Hes in that elite status," said Jets coach Paul Maurice. "I think all of these Hart players, they put a number of years together before you can have a good year, but you need put together two or three of those kind of years together before you start to get your name out there. Connor is moving into the time where his name will start coming up in that, I think."

The look of the Jets power play has a consistency to it, with right-shot defenceman Neal Pionk on the point along with Patrik Laine, Mark Scheifele working the slot, Kyle Connor down low and splendid playmaker Blake Wheeler working the wall.

Its Pionks responsibility to snap the puck over to the sharp-shooting Finn for a one-timer, but opponents have long clued in.

On Wednesday morning the Jets added a wrinkle, with Wheeler spinning from the boards and quickly swapping spots with Pionk, who sent a cross-ice feed to Laine for a rocket past goalie Laurent Brossoit.

Some shrewd scheming by the coaching crew, perhaps?

JASON HALSTEAD / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES

Winnipeg Jets Defenceman Neal Pionk.

"I think the driver in that was boredom. We ran our power play three or four days. The guys want to try stuff and we like them to do that," Maurice admitted. "They are also now, and I dont want to get into any of the details of how were running this, theyre starting to explore the different places they can go with their power play.

"You know that Calgary knows exactly who is coming off the bench first, where everybody is standing and how the puck flows, how it moves through Blake Wheeler. Theyre going to have a plan for that and you want another place to go if its not working and you want that place to be really, really effective. If it doesnt score you goals, you want the place you take your power play to at least let you return to your original spot and be more successful."

The Jets got a reprieve Wednesday from coronavirus testing. Those nasty nasal swabs aptly called the "brain tickler" by forward Andrew Copp last week, happen every other day.

Thats still too often for Hellebuyck, who said players dont get to watch each other get tested so its difficult to know whos the squeamish one of the bunch.

"Well the tests are timed so were not around each other but I would definitely say talking with guys after, some guys, it hurts them a little bit. Some guys like me cant stand it and some guys just get over it. Its not that bad but over and over and over again, it grinds on you a bit," said Hellebuyck.

Maurice and his staff dont get a pardon from the medical staff.

"No (its not a lot of fun), but were coaches, so we did a pre-scout (of people doing the tests)... we know exactly who (laughs) gets it on the first try and who can put you down. Im teasing. Weve got great professionals here," he said. "No, its not a lot of fun. I was amazed that there was that much room in the human head. Theres probably lots of you that think hes full of air anyway. So, I was impressed by how deep he was able to get that swab in.

"You know what? When I do my last test, I wont be coming back for another one. That will be it."

Veteran defenceman Anthony Bitetto is listed in Thursday's Group 2 morning skate. He has yet to make an appearance at summer camp, although the team has not given a reason, as per the NHLs current rules.

The Jets will scrimmage Thursday, take Friday off, practise Saturday and then travel to Edmonton on Sunday.

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPJasonBell

Jason BellAssistant sports editor

Jason Bell wanted to be a lawyer when he was a kid. The movie The Paper Chase got him hooked on the idea of law school and, possibly, falling in love with someone exactly like Lindsay Wagner (before she went all bionic).

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In praise of the masked man - Winnipeg Free Press