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Stuart Skinners career has brought him back to Canada.
The former Edmonton Oiler and Pittsburgh Penguin has agreed to a two-year, $7.5 million deal with the Winnipeg Jets, with hopes that a change of scenery will help him rediscover his form.
In 2025-26, Skinner posted a combined record of 23-17-9, along with a 2.92 goals-against average and a .888 save percentagea number he struggled to improve throughout the season.
After serving as the Oilers No.
1 netminder during their runs to the Stanley Cup Final in 2024 and 2025, Skinner is once again seeking a fresh start.
This time, he lands in the Central Division with a Jets team that appears to be resetting its approach in goal.
The decision to bring in Stuart Skinner suggests that, while Connor Hellebuyck remains a Winnipeg Jet for now, the organization isnt afraid to look ahead.
It also signals a willingness to create competition for the starting role heading into the fall.
Hellebuyck is clearly the starter, but a goaltending battle would be nothing new for Skinner.
During his time in Edmonton, he shared postseason starts with Jack Campbell in 2023 and Calvin Pickard in both the 2024 and 2025 playoffs.
He also split time last season in Pittsburgh with Arturs Silovs.
The key question for Skinner is consistency.
He has shown flashes of strong play in both Edmonton and Pittsburgh but has also struggled at times.
Winnipeg, competing in the always-dangerous Central Division, will need reliability in net.
As for Hellebuyck, trade speculation continues to swirl.
The Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils have both been linked to the star goaltender, but no deal has materialized.
In 57 games last season with the Jets, Hellebuyck posted a 23-23-11 record, along with a 2.95 goals-against average and a .895 save percentagehis first season below the .900 mark in his NHL career.
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