"Don’t think he gets that kind of recognition" - Pierre LeBrun makes case for $59,500,000 goalie in Hart Trophy conversation

Hockey analyst Pierre LeBrun weighed in on the speculation around this season’s Hart Trophy winner. Speaking on "SportsCentre" with Jay Onrait on Wednesday, LeBrun suggested that the lack of a clear favorite for the award this season has left the race wide open.

Leon Draisaitl is the bookmakers’ favorite but only by a slender margin. LeBrun also pointed to other candidates like Nathan McKinnon and called Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel a dark horse for the trophy.

"Yeah, I think it’s Draisaitl," LeBrun said. "But I will say this — MacKinnon’s in there. Kaprizov got hurt. A guy that no one mentions is Jack Eichel. Jack Eichel is having an unbelievable year—I think it's his best season in the NHL. Vegas is in first place. So he’s more of a dark horse."

However, LeBrun said he believes that the Winnipeg Jets’ $59.5-million goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck, is having a Hart Trophy-winning season.

“But Connor Hellebuyck is such an interesting case to be made here," LeBrun said. "Uh, the Winnipeg Jets are nowhere close to where they are in the standings without him. But I don’t think he gets that kind of recognition because there are other star players on this team, right?

“I would argue that while the Jets would still be a playoff team. I don't think they're battling for first overall in the league if it were not for the exploits of Connor Hellebuyck and I think more people need to recognize that in my mind.”

The Jets have a 27-6-2 record this season with Hellebuyck in goal for them. He also has a GAA of 1.99, a .929 save percentage and six shutouts in 35 starts this season — the best in the league so far.

Carey Price last goalie to win the Hart Trophy

The last goaltender to win the Hart Trophy was Carey Price in 2014-15. Jay Onrait and Pierre LeBrun agreed that it was rare for a goalie to win the award. LeBrun added that the Vezina Trophy, an award solely for goalies, made winning the Hart tougher for them.

“It's really rare," LeBrun said. "Your season has to be above extraordinary it seems for the voters to give it to a goalie. I think Connor Hellebuyck is having that season right now.”

Hellebuyck has already won the Vezina twice. LeBrun ended by saying that he is looking forward to Hellebuyck’s performances in the second half of the season.