Jets Retool Defense, Bet on Goalie Tandem After Dismal Season

The Jets finished seventh in the Central Division with 82 points, missing the playoffs after a season in which they allowed 260 goals and got uncharacteristically poor goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck. General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff responded by adding defensive depth and bringing in Stuart Skinner to share the crease, but the forward group returns largely intact. It is a sensible reset, not a bold one.

Last season in review

Winnipeg scored 231 goals, middle of the pack, and got strong production from its top line. Mark Scheifele posted 103 points (36 goals, 67 assists), Kyle Connor had 92 points (39 goals, 53 assists), and Gabriel Vilardi chipped in 69 points (30 goals, 39 assists). The problem was everywhere else. The Jets allowed 260 goals, and Hellebuyck posted a career-worst .895 save percentage across 57 games, going 23-23-11. A team that had leaned on elite goaltending for years suddenly could not stop the puck, and the defense in front of him offered little help.

Ins and outs

• In: Stuart Skinner (signed as a free agent, two years)
• In: Mario Ferraro (signed as a free agent, three years)
• In: Henry Thrun (signed as a free agent, one year)
• In: Noah Gregor (signed as a free agent, one year)
• In: Viggo Björck (signed to a three-year entry-level contract)
• Out: David Gustafsson (traded to Pittsburgh for Jack St. Ivany)

The Jets added two defensemen in Ferraro and Thrun, both capable of eating minutes on the second or third pairing. Skinner, who spent last season as Edmonton's backup, will push Hellebuyck or serve as a legitimate 1B if the veteran continues to struggle. Up front, Gregor is a depth addition, and Björck, a 2024 draft pick, is expected to compete for a roster spot at center. Gustafsson, a bottom-six forward, was dealt to the Penguins for defenseman St. Ivany.

The big question

Can Hellebuyck bounce back? He turns 33 in May and just posted the worst numbers of his career. If his decline is real and not a blip, the Jets are in trouble no matter who they add on defense. Skinner gives them insurance, but this team's ceiling still depends on whether Hellebuyck can return to Vezina form.

X-factor

Stuart Skinner. If he forces a true tandem and takes 35 to 40 starts, he could stabilize a crease that cratered last season. Skinner posted a .905 save percentage in limited action with Edmonton in 2025-26, and he has shown flashes of being a capable NHL starter. If he plays well, the Jets can manage Hellebuyck's workload and give themselves a chance even if the veteran does not fully rebound.

Bold prediction

The Jets finish fourth in the Central and return to the playoffs. The defense will be better with Ferraro and Thrun, and even a modest improvement in goal gets them back into the mix in a division where several teams took steps backward.

The outlook

Winnipeg addressed its biggest weaknesses without overhauling the roster. The forward group is still good enough to score, and the blue line should be more stable. If Hellebuyck or Skinner can give them league-average goaltending, they are a playoff team. If not, they will be picking in the lottery again.