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Former Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner signs two-year deal with Jets
Photo credit: © Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
Jul 1, 2026, 13:30 EDTUpdated: Jul 1, 2026, 13:34 EDT
Former Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner is headed back to Canada.
Skinner has reportedly agreed to terms with the Winnipeg Jets on a two-year contract worth $3.75 million per year. The question is, does this signing mean the Jets are on the cusp of a Connor Hellebuyck trade, or are they just shoring up their crease with a backup option like Skinner?
AFP Analytics’ contract projections indicate the Jets are getting some value in this signing. They projected a two-year contract worth nearly $4.4 million per season. Skinner was one of the best goaltenders in a thin free agent market and the most significant one to sign so far.
General manager Stan Bowman is on the hunt for another goalie to pair with Tristan Jarry for next season. On Wednesday morning, it was reported that Connor Ingram was going to test the market and wasn’t able to agree on a deal.
Sergei Bobrovsky highlights the class, and Elliotte Friedman believes the Oilers “had interest,” but Toronto would be a leading candidate.
The Oilers traded Skinner in December alongside Brett Kulak and a 2029 second-round draft pick for Tristan Jarry and Samuel Poulin. He was part of two Stanley Cup Final runs for Edmonton in 2024 and 2025.
After playing 23 games in 2025-26 with Edmonton, Skinner’s statistical numbers actually dropped in Pittsburgh by the time the season finished, with a 12-9-5 record, a 2.99 goals-against average, and a .885 save percentage as a Penguin.
The Pens lost in six games in the first round to the Philadelphia Flyers, as Skinner started and lost Games 1-3.
He has a career record of 121-71-23 with a 2.77 goals against average and a .902 save percentage lifetime.
This is a raise of just over one million for Skinner, who had signed a three-year contract under Ken Holland’s management for $2.6 million.
Michael Menzies is an Oilersnation columnist and co-host of PreGaming and Oilersnation After Dark. He’s also been the play-by-play voice of the Bonnyville Pontiacs in the AJHL since 2019. With seven years of news experience as the Editor-at-Large of Lakeland Connect in Bonnyville, Menzies collects vinyl, books, and stomach issues. Follow him on X at Menzies_4.
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