Tuesday’s informal skate brought a few notable developments for the Jets, with Stuart Skinner making his first appearance in Winnipeg colours and Alex Iafallo, Gabriel Vilardi and Morgan Barron joining the on-ice group as camp gets closer.
There was also a little extra clarity on one of the organization’s young goaltending prospects. When Samuel Hrenák spoke at Development Camp, the Jets’ 2026 third-round pick was still considering his next move after being selected by the Moose Jaw Warriors in the CHL Import Draft.
The 6-foot-3 Slovak goalie has since decided to return to the Fargo Force of the USHL for the 2026-27 season. Fargo announced that decision in late July, and Hrenák confirmed it again last night.
He could be on the ice with some Jets players today at Hockey For All Centre.
Around the beat, the conversation continues to circle back to Connor Hellebuyck. One report said there was “All quiet on the Hellebuyck front,” while another NHL rumbling piece listed Utah, Carolina and Buffalo as possible suitors for the number 37.
That speculation drew a blunt response from Jets captain Adam Lowry, who said Hellebuyck trade talk is “not worth our time,” and added that once the team addresses it internally, it should not need to come up again until the Jets are on the road and visiting media raise it. The league chatter may be manageable for now, but if it carries into the regular season, it is hard to see it staying that way.
Lowry also spoke about heading into a new season, with the focus not just on him but on bounce-backs across the roster. The idea, as he framed it, is that this year is about a number of players getting back on track, captain included.
Elsewhere, DeMelo’s experience wearing the Maple Leaf got some attention as well. The takeaway there was simple: representing your country is a major honour, and it also gives a player a chance to learn from some of the best pros in the game.
In Other News...
Connor Hellebuyck Trade Pressure Is Rising At The Worst Time
Connor Hellebuycks name is back in the middle of trade chatter, and it comes at a delicate moment for the Jets. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner has long been one of Winnipegs defining players, but the runway for any major move appears to be narrowing as the club weighs its options heading toward training camp.
The Buffalo Sabres and Jets had explored a framework earlier in the draft period before the talks broke down over the draft-pick component, and the landscape has only shifted since then with no-trade list changes affecting what each side can even put on the table. Winnipeg still has a path to work something out, but if a deal gets done, it may have to come with a lighter return than the Jets were hoping for. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Goaltending Battle Suddenly Feels Much More Real
The Jets goaltending picture has shifted from background noise to a real storyline, with Stuart Skinner now openly acknowledging the possibility that he could be asked to take on the starting job this season. Skinner, who signed a two-year deal with Winnipeg last July, said he is staying locked in on his role even as the larger conversation around the crease grows louder.
Adam Lowry said the club will continue to treat Connor Hellebuyck as a member of the Jets while his situation remains unresolved, which keeps the team in a holding pattern for now. For Skinner, the uncertainty puts the spotlight on a position that can change everything for a contender, and his place in that picture may end up being the one most affected if the situation moves in a new direction. [Read more 🡒]
Jets New Goalie Could Bring Exactly What This Team Needs
Stuart Skinner is settling into a new chapter in Winnipeg after signing with the Jets and talking through the challenge of joining a fresh locker room. He has done this before, including a previous move to Pittsburgh after being traded from Edmonton, and he sounded comfortable with the transition this time around while also sharing his excitement about working with goalie coach Wade Flaherty.
What makes Skinner such an interesting addition is the track record he brings with him. His recent postseason resume gives Winnipeg a veteran presence in goal, the kind of experience that can matter when the schedule tightens and the games start to carry more weight, and he made it clear he believes the Jets have a chance to be a real factor. For a team looking to stabilize its crease, that mix of familiarity, confidence and playoff seasoning is exactly the sort of thing that can change the conversation. [Read more 🡒]