The Winnipeg Jets are taking a shot on Stuart Skinner.
The team signed Skinner to a two-year, $7.5-million deal, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Wednesday. The Jets have since announced the signing.
The 27-year-old netminder split 2025-26 between the Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins after a mid-season trade sent him to the Eastern Conference.
He brings plenty of playoff experience to Winnipeg — the Edmonton native backstopped his hometown team to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances, and opened Pittsburgh's first round this past spring.
He also brings a healthy dose of insurance. The Jets are dealing with major uncertainty when it comes to starter Connor Hellebuyck. Rumours have been swirling around Hellebuyck for much of the off-season after the Team USA netminder voiced his disappointment about how the Jets' season concluded.
As American stars take over the headlines with news of trade requests (both granted and still pending) and speculation of more moves to come, all eyes have been on the Jets starter. That's amplified now with Skinner's presence.
Skinner's signing, while at a team-friendly price, is a bit of a gamble, too. He has stepped up plenty in the spotlight, but has also struggled to hit his stride consistently during the regular season. That was an ongoing issue during his Edmonton tenure, and one that ultimately led to the club moving on from him.
Between Edmonton and Pittsburgh, Skinner posted a 23-17-9 record, 2.92 goals-against average and .888 save percentage in 2025-26. In the playoffs with Pittsburgh, he took three losses in three chances against the Philadelphia Flyers before the Penguins turned to Arturs Silovs for Games 4 through 6.
Skinner spent the first five seasons of his career with the Oilers. For his career, Skinner owns a 121-71-23 record with a .902 save percentage and 2.77 GAA.
WPG
