Clay Stevenson Gives the Jets Something to Smile About

Goaltending situations have a funny way of getting complicated. A team thinks it knows its starter, its backup, and how it will divide the minutes. Then something happens, somebody gets an opportunity, and the conversation changes. That’s where the Winnipeg Jets find themselves right now.

Connor Hellebuyck is serving a suspension, Stuart Skinner has been playing well, and Clay Stevenson has been given a chance to show what he can do. The 27-year-old isn't exactly a household name around the NHL, but he’s making the most of his opportunity.

Stevenson stopped 29 of 31 shots in his season debut against Pittsburgh, though his next outing against Anaheim was much tougher. On Saturday, he bounced back with 34 saves against Carolina in a 3-2 loss. Two of the Hurricanes’ goals came on the power play, including the winner by Nikolaj Ehlers. That’s a respectable performance against a very good team. And it gives the Jets something to consider as they sort out their crease.

Stevenson’s Opportunity Doesn't Have to Last Forever to Matter.

Let's be realistic. Stevenson won't push Hellebuyck out of Winnipeg. That said, Hellebuyck might have done that job himself by refusing to report. If he were around, Stevenson wouldn’t be here. But he is, through a series of really strange circumstances, and that's really the point.

When a younger goalie gets a chance like this, the question is whether he can show the coaching staff he can handle NHL minutes. Stevenson has had some good moments, and his performance against Carolina suggests he can compete at this level.

Meanwhile, his goalie partner Stuart Skinner has his own opportunity to settle into his role with the Jets. If both goalies are playing well, that's a pretty good problem for a team to have. It gives the coaching staff options and takes some pressure off the idea that one player has to carry everything.

Of course, the situation will change if Hellebuyck returns. As I noted, it’s looking less and less like that will happen. As a result, Stevenson could find himself back in an expanded role, and if he keeps playing well, his opportunity will likely continue. Still, players remember these moments. Coaches do, too.

The Bigger Question Now Is What Happens Next.

The Jets don't need to turn this into a goaltending controversy. They need two healthy goalies who are ready and able to play. If those two are Skinner and Stevenson, it would be a huge story in Winnipeg. That's both a pretty surprising and sensible arrangement.

But there's something worth watching here. Stevenson has been given a difficult assignment, and he hasn't backed away. Whether this becomes a short chapter or the beginning of something bigger, he's given Winnipeg another reason to feel a little more comfortable about its goaltending depth.

Sometimes, that's all a young goalie needs: make the most of the chance he gets. With every great start, the Jets’ goalie situation settles further.