A lot of the noise around Stuart Skinner has already been written. After Edmonton, plenty of people were ready to move on from him.
That feels too neat, too final. Skinner had real stretches where he played well for the Oilers, and he was a meaningful part of their playoff runs.
The problem was never just him. Edmonton’s defense in front of him made the job tougher than it needed to be.
That’s why Winnipeg stands out as a much more interesting landing spot for him. The Jets bring a different kind of structure on the back end, and that matters for a goalie.
Dylan DeMelo is a true defensive defenseman. Josh Morrissey and DeMelo have built chemistry over the years.
Neal Pionk fits into that same group too; he missed a lot of games, but when he’s healthy, he can move the puck, defend, and shoot it.
There’s also Mario Ferraro, who might be one of the most underrated signings of the entire offseason. He’s not making too much money, he’s in a 5/6 role, and he could end up being more effective than people realize.
Then there’s Elias Salomonsson, who Winnipeg needs back healthy. The progress he showed last year was real, and the upside is there. Logan Stanley could also work his way back into the mix, and the culture fit is obviously there.
Still, the biggest factor for Skinner isn’t just the names around him. It’s the system.
If Winnipeg can keep things cleaner and more predictable in front of him, that’s exactly what a goalie wants. Nobody is asking for fewer shots.
They just want the game to make sense.
I’m a Stuart Skinner fan, and I think there’s a real chance he reminds people this year that he was good all along. He may not be the loudest presence on the ice. In Winnipeg, that’s probably the point.
In Other News...
Jets Got Their First Real Hint About Life In Net
Winnipeg got its first real look at life in net in preseason, and Stuart Skinner gave the Jets plenty to think about. In his debut for the club against Colorado, Skinner was sharp behind a lineup that also got offensive help from Gabe Vilardi, Mark Scheifele and Cole Perfetti, and Winnipeg came away with a 2-1 win in a game that felt more useful than flashy.
The result mattered, but the way it unfolded may matter even more for a team still sorting out its early-season picture. The next stop is Edmonton on the preseason schedule, and after a night like this, the Jets at least have a better sense of what their crease can look like when the pace picks up and the pressure starts to climb. [Read more 🡒]
Sharks Rebuild Suddenly Faces A Huge Question In Goal
Connor Hellebuycks future in Winnipeg remains one of the more intriguing threads hanging over the Jets as the 2026-27 season gets closer. The sense around the situation is that neither side wants this to drag into opening night, yet a trade still has not come together, leaving the reigning goalie discussion in limbo for now.
Jamie McLennan floated an unexpected fit that would have plenty of ripple effects beyond Winnipeg, naming the San Jose Sharks as a possible landing spot. The appeal is obvious on paper, with San Jose carrying the kind of cap room and future assets that could make a major move possible, but for now it is still just a framework rather than a confirmed path. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Camp Competition Already Feels Different After First Preseason Look
The first preseason look at Winnipeg gave the kind of early read coaches like to lean on, with a 3-1 win over Colorado and goals from Gabriel Vilardi, Cole Perfetti and Dylan DeMelo. It was also the kind of night that hinted this camp may already feel a little different, with the club beginning to sort out roles while the attention around the organization stretches beyond the NHL roster.
Canada Life Centre also had a fresh backdrop for the opening of camp after the team unveiled a new dressing-room expansion, while the Moose opened their own training camp with a mix of AHL-contracted players and others fighting for attention. With preseason now underway, Winnipeg has a few layers to watch at once, from lineup decisions to the ripple effect those changes could have through the rest of the system. [Read more 🡒]