Hellebuyck was brilliant in his season debut, stopping 41 of 42 shots in the Jets 5-1 blowout win in St. Louis. Hellebuyck is viewed as a favourite to win the Vezina Trophy this season and that is a great first step. Tonight he faces a Stars team that he was 3-0-0 with a 1.67 GAA and .943 SV% against last season.
Hellebuyck has quickly become one of the best goalies in the NHL, leading the league in games played (67) and wins (44) last year while posting a rock-solid 2.36 GAA, .924 SV% and six shutouts. Hellebuyck could very well lead the NHL in wins again this season with a high-powered Jets offence playing in front of him.
During his first full NHL season, DeMelo failed to record a goal but added 20 assists in 63 games. Over 291 career pro games (AHL + NHL), DeMelo has scored just 10 goals, so don’t expect him to start scoring any time soon.
Miller had an outstanding 2018 season finishing tied for 23rd among defensemen in goals (10), tied for 25th in assists (31) and tied for 27th in points (41). Miller, who gets sheltered offensive-zone starts, finished the season with a 56.3 CF% and +7.3 relative Corsi. This contract looks like an absolute steal for the Golden Knights.
Di Giuseppe was in and out of the Hurricanes’ lineup last season but appeared in a career-high 49 NHL games, scoring five goals with eight assists (13 points). The 24-year-old likely won’t be a full-time player in 2019 either, but is an effective bottom-6 player when he gets plugged into the lineup.
Kupari bounced around to different teams this year but played the majority of the year in Finland’s top league. Kupari had six goals and eight assists (14 points) in 39 games with Karpat. Kupari is one of the best skating forwards in this draft class and uses that speed to create offence.
