The Winnipeg Jets made one of the more intriguing moves of the offseason on July 1, signing goaltender Stuart Skinner, a proven playoff performer with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, to a two-year contract carrying a $3.75 million annual cap hit.
For now, it appears Skinner will slot in as the backup behind three-time Vezina Trophy winner and Olympic gold medalist Connor Hellebuyck, even as trade speculation continues to swirl around the superstar netminder. Should the Jets keep both goaltenders, the tandem in Winnipeg’s crease could be one of the best in the league.
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Hellebuyck is widely regarded as the best goaltender in hockey, while Skinner has shown through three deep playoff runs with the Edmonton Oilers that the moment rarely feels too big for him.
The move is a good one for Winnipeg on paper, but it complicates things for the Jets’ top goalie prospect, Thomas Milic. The 23-year-old was hoping to compete for the backup job this fall after Eric Comrie, last season’s backup, departed in free agency to sign with the San Jose Sharks. Instead, Milic now finds a veteran with legitimate NHL starter pedigree standing in his way.
The signing comes at an awkward time for Milic, who is coming off a strong season in the AHL, posting a 20-13-8 record with a 2.64 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage for a New Westminster, B.C., native looking to take the next step in his development.
Milic did see NHL action last season, appearing in three games while Hellebuyck was sidelined with injury, but he was hardly given an easy runway. All three of his appearances came against playoff teams in the Edmonton Oilers and Buffalo Sabres, and his lone NHL start came against the eventual Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes.
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Simply put, Milic has not been given a fair shake at the NHL level, and the addition of another veteran goaltender only makes his path to regular NHL minutes in Winnipeg murkier. That raises an obvious question of do the Jets now consider moving their young netminder?
The goaltending market around the league remains active, with teams constantly looking to add depth or upside wherever they can find it. Winnipeg could look to flip Milic for future assets, such as draft picks, while also giving the young goaltender a genuine chance to win a roster spot elsewhere.
A blockbuster return isn’t likely, but modest value is still on the table. The Toronto Maple Leafs, for example, were able to package their third-string goaltender, Dennis Hildeby, along with a pair of draft picks, to acquire impact depth forward Nick Paul from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
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Winnipeg could look to pursue a similar type of deal, one that would net immediate roster help heading into what looms as a pivotal season for a team with legitimate Stanley Cup aspirations.
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