- Kevin Cheveldayoff says the Jets didn’t sign Stuart Skinner as a fallback for a Hellebuyck trade
- The GM confirmed Hellebuyck is still a Jet with “no update” while Winnipeg listens to offers
- Read below for what Cheveldayoff said about the goalie picture in Winnipeg
Kevin Cheveldayoff wants everyone to pump the brakes on the Connor Hellebuyck trade talk.
The Jets general manager spoke Friday, two days after Winnipeg signed free-agent goalie Stuart Skinner to a two-year, $7.5 million deal. Plenty of people read that as insurance for a Hellebuyck exit. Cheveldayoff says that’s not how it went.
“I don’t think there was any Plan A, Plan B, or Plan C with respect to what’s next,” Cheveldayoff said. “On July 1 you have a unique opportunity to add to your organization without having to give up anything. We were able to land both our No. 1 targets in each position.”
Skinner sat atop Winnipeg’s goalie board when free agency opened. Landing him cost no roster piece and no draft pick, and the GM framed it as a straight upgrade behind his starter.
That No. 1 job still belongs to Hellebuyck.
A three-time Vezina winner, Hellebuyck remains under contract even with his name at the center of the offseason’s biggest goalie rumor. Cheveldayoff said last week the team is listening to offers, and he didn’t walk that back Friday.
“Connor Hellebuyck is a Winnipeg Jet and there’s no update at this point and time,” Cheveldayoff said. “The plan is still to win.”
Here’s TSN breaking down what the Skinner move means for Hellebuyck’s future in Winnipeg:
On the ice, Skinner brings real starter experience to a backup role. He went 23-17-9 with a 2.92 goals-against average and a .888 save percentage across 50 games with Pittsburgh and Edmonton last season, and he backstopped the Oilers to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals in 2024 and 2025.
We covered the signing when it broke earlier this week.
Winnipeg didn’t stop at goaltending. The Jets also added defenseman Mario Ferraro on a three-year, $12 million contract and forward Noah Gregor on a one-year deal, then signed defenseman Henry Thrun on Thursday.
Hellebuyck stays a Jet for the moment, and Cheveldayoff’s message Friday was simple. Winnipeg built to win now, not to tear it down.
