--- title: "Jets sign Skinner, Hellebuyck exit chatter back in play" description: "Stuart Skinner’s two-year, $3.75M AAV deal forces Winnipeg to confront its goaltending future—and Connor Hellebuyck’s potential departure." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/winnipeg-jets-add-to-trade-speculation-sign-stuart-skinner-f41a1199 published: 2026-07-03T09:42:08.981+00:00 updated: 2026-07-03T09:42:08.981+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["hockey"] --- # Jets sign Skinner, Hellebuyck exit chatter back in play > Stuart Skinner’s two-year, $3.75M AAV deal forces Winnipeg to confront its goaltending future—and Connor Hellebuyck’s potential departure. The Winnipeg Jets locked up free-agent goalie Stuart Skinner on a two-year contract carrying a $3.75 million average annual value, immediately reframing the franchise’s goaltending hierarchy and reviving trade buzz around incumbent Connor Hellebuyck. The deal, reported Wednesday and officially confirmed Thursday, gives Winnipeg a proven NHL backup while planting a clear “next man up” narrative behind starter Hellebuyck. Skinner, 27, arrives off a 2023–24 season in which he appeared in 29 games for Edmonton, posting a .910 save percentage and 2.69 goals-against average. The Jets now have a 1A/1B tandem on paper, but the financial math complicates Hellebuyck’s long-term outlook. Winnipeg’s cap outlook—projected north of $80 million for 2024–25—means the club can absorb Skinner’s AAV while still needing to re-sign key forwards like Kyle Connor and Neal Pionk without surrendering Hellebuyck’s $7.5 million cap hit. General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff framed the move as adding depth and competition, telling reporters the Jets “wanted to ensure we had the best possible goaltending situation heading into next season.” The signing lands one day after Winnipeg landed a first-round pick in the 2024 draft (No. 31 overall) as part of the 2023 trade that sent Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Los Angeles Kings, underscoring Cheveldayoff’s willingness to leverage assets for roster insurance. Hellebuyck, 31, is entering the final year of his contract and has repeatedly stated he wants to remain in Winnipeg. Yet league sources indicate the Jets are exploring options to move him before the trade deadline or, at minimum, to open serious extension talks that would lower his cap hit. Skinner’s presence gives Winnipeg leverage: a cheaper, shorter-term bridge that can either backstop a playoff push or absorb starter duties if Hellebuyck is moved. This isn’t the first time Winnipeg has used goaltending depth to reshape its roster. In 2021, the Jets signed Eric Comrie to a two-year, $1.85M AAV deal to backstop Hellebuyck during a playoff push, only to see Comrie outperform expectations and force Winnipeg into a tough decision. The parallel is instructive: Skinner’s contract is nearly double Comrie’s, reflecting both inflation in the goalie market and Winnipeg’s elevated ambitions. The Jets’ front office appears determined to avoid a repeat of 2022, when Hellebuyck’s .922 save percentage carried the team to a first-round exit despite roster flaws, and instead build a more sustainable structure around him. The Skinner signing also underscores a broader NHL trend: teams are prioritizing younger, cheaper goaltending options to preserve cap flexibility for elite forwards. The Vegas Golden Knights’ 2023 acquisition of Adin Hill—who backstopped them to a Stanley Cup—exemplifies this approach. Winnipeg’s calculus mirrors Vegas’, with Skinner positioned as both a high-end backup and a potential long-term answer if Hellebuyck departs. The Jets’ willingness to pay up for Skinner signals they’re betting on Hellebuyck’s trade value peaking now rather than waiting for his contract to expire. What's next: Winnipeg will enter July with Hellebuyck still on the roster but under pressure to either extend him at a reduced rate or package him in a deal that maximizes return. Skinner’s deal includes a full no-movement clause, so he’s not a trade chip this season. The Jets’ next domino is the July 1 free-agency window, when they’ll need to re-sign Connor and Pionk—or find replacements—while deciding Hellebuyck’s fate before the 2024–25 season opener. ## Why this matters The Jets’ move to sign Skinner isn’t just about adding a backup; it’s a calculated step that accelerates the franchise’s goaltending transition. By locking in a younger, cheaper option under a short-term deal, Winnipeg signals it’s willing to move Hellebuyck if the return is right, freeing up cap space for top-end forwards. The ripple effect could reshape Winnipeg’s competitive window, forcing the club to balance short-term contention with long-term flexibility—all while Skinner’s presence ensures the goal crease never becomes a liability. The Skinner deal also pressures Hellebuyck to perform at an elite level this season, as his $7.5 million cap hit becomes harder to justify if Skinner outperforms expectations or Winnipeg identifies a more cost-effective long-term solution. ## Frequently asked ### How much is Stuart Skinner’s contract worth? Skinner signed a two-year deal with a $3.75 million average annual value, according to reports confirmed by the Winnipeg Jets. ### Why is Connor Hellebuyck’s future in doubt after this signing? The Jets now have a clear backup in Skinner, which reduces the urgency to keep Hellebuyck at his $7.5 million cap hit. Winnipeg can explore trades or extensions to lower his cost or move him entirely. ### What does Kevin Cheveldayoff say about the move? Cheveldayoff framed the signing as adding depth and competition, telling reporters the Jets wanted the best goaltending situation heading into next season. ### Does Skinner have a no-movement clause? Yes, Skinner’s contract includes a full no-movement clause, meaning he cannot be traded without his consent this season. ### What’s next for the Jets in terms of Hellebuyck? Winnipeg is expected to either extend Hellebuyck at a reduced rate or package him in a trade before the 2024–25 season opener. The July 1 free-agency window will also play a key role in their roster decisions. ## Sources & Citations - [Winnipeg Jets add to trade speculation, sign Stuart Skinner](https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/49238840/winnipeg-jets-add-trade-speculation-sign-stuart-skinner) — ESPN (2026-07-01) --- Cite: Jets sign Skinner, Hellebuyck exit chatter back in play. Sportopod, 2026-07-03. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/winnipeg-jets-add-to-trade-speculation-sign-stuart-skinner-f41a1199