The Jets Have a Goalie Problem Most Teams Would Love
Many NHL teams are trying to answer the same question: Do we have a goalie good enough to win when the games matter most? The Winnipeg Jets do not have that problem.
Actually, they have the opposite problem. They have two goalies who bring something different, and that might be one of their biggest advantages heading into the season.
Hellebuyck is who he is, and that’s a world-class goalie.
Connor Hellebuyck is still the centre of the conversation. After winning the Vezina Trophy in back-to-back seasons, the 33-year-old had a tougher year in 2025-26. His numbers dipped, and it was probably not the season he expected. But here is the thing about elite players. One difficult season does not erase years of evidence.
Hellebuyck has been one of the NHL’s most consistent goalies for a long time. He has carried heavy workloads, faced enormous pressure, and repeatedly proven he belongs among the league’s best. A down season is worth noticing, but it is also worth putting into perspective. The Jets are not asking whether Hellebuyck can become a top goalie. They already know he can.
The bigger question is whether Winnipeg can keep him fresh and make sure he is at his best when the playoffs arrive. That is where Stuart Skinner becomes interesting.
Related: What Six Goals Don't Tell You About the Jets' Viggo Bjorck.
Skinner carried the starter’s workload in Edmonton for several seasons. He’s still good.
Skinner’s time as the Edmonton Oilers’ starter was complicated. There were stretches where he looked like a confident NHL starter, and there were other stretches where fans wondered if he could handle the pressure. That is the reality of playing goal in Edmonton, where every mistake gets magnified.
But maybe Winnipeg is the perfect situation for him. Skinner no longer needs to carry the load. He does not need to start 60-plus games. He does not need to be the guy every single night. He just needs to be reliable. Sometimes goalies improve when they are allowed to breathe.
The Jets have a great problem, and it could carry them to success.
For the Jets, this is a pretty good problem to have. They have an established No. 1 goalie with a proven track record and a backup who has already experienced the pressure of playing meaningful NHL games. The regular season is long. Injuries happen. Goalies need rest. Having two capable options is no longer a luxury. It is almost a requirement.
Hellebuyck will still determine how far Winnipeg can go. That has not changed. But having Skinner beside him could help make sure Hellebuyck is ready for the part of the season that matters most. And for a team with playoff ambitions, that might be the biggest save of all.