Skinner signing adds to Winnipeg Jets goalie intrigue

Stuart Skinner made no bold proclamations about his expected workload, nor did he provide any hints about whether or not he expected to be part of a tandem with Connor Hellebuyck, given the noise that has surrounded the Winnipeg Jets starting goaltender.

After agreeing to terms of a two-year deal with an AAV of US$3.75 million, Skinner showcased his trademark accountability and humility when asked about his expected role come this fall.

“To be honest, it wasn’t too much of a conversation because we don’t know too much,” said Skinner, when asked directly about Hellebuyck. “Obviously, there’s rumors out there. As far as my experience, rumours are just rumours until something happens.

“As of right now, me and Helle are teammates, which is so exciting. I mean, he’s the best goalie in the world, so it’s a great opportunity for me. I think, again, with the thought process of growing my game and just becoming a better goalie and the type of culture that Winnipeg brings, it’s extremely exciting.”

In making the decision about his future after bouncing between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Edmonton Oilers last season, Skinner explored several opportunities on the open market but kept coming back to one conclusion.

He wanted to go to a place where he feels he can improve under the tutelage of Jets goalie coach Wade Flaherty and then compete for however many starts might be available to him – depending on how the Hellebuyck situation eventually plays itself out.

“As of right now, I don’t have too many expectations,” said Skinner. “Playing for the Winnipeg Jets, the big thing for me is it really depends on me. It depends on my play. What I’ve learned from experience is you get what you earn.

“If I earn starts, if I earn wins, if I earn play, doing my thing and knowing what I can do, I believe I’ll be able to play a certain amount of games. I’m not too sure how many that is. I’m not too sure what that looks like. So yeah. That’s kind of my expectation. My expectation is to bring my absolute best game day in and day out, grab that consistency, and run.”

Skinner, 27, went 23-17-9 last season with two shutouts, a 2.92 GAA and .899 save percentage for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Edmonton Oilers.

He also has 53 playoff starts on his resume, including a pair of runs to the Stanley Cup final with the Oilers.

Yes, Skinner lost the starting job at times to Winnipegger Calvin Pickard during each of those runs, but he also outplayed Jake Oettinger and the Dallas Stars in consecutive Western Conference final appearances.

“With the type of experience you get going to the final, especially two years in a row, especially losing in the final, you do grab a little extra experience just in that sense,” said Skinner, who has 224 NHL games on his resume. “So yeah, obviously I know what it takes to get that done. I know what it takes to get through some grueling rounds and how to play through different types of adversity and how to keep your game at an amazing level to get to that spot.”

Skinner praised the Jets’ leadership group and said he benefited greatly from being around Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Oilers captain Connor McDavid throughout his four NHL seasons.

“Last year, after the trade, I was with the greatest leader of all time, with Sid. Just watching him and just being an absolute sponge with him. It’s extremely impressive,” said Skinner. “Obviously, with Connor (McDavid) and the type of leader that he was. And the way that he showed up, day in and day out. Grabbing all of that experience from a leadership standpoint is something that I’ve been able to experience and is definitely something I’m definitely going to hold onto.”

Signing a two-year deal made sense for Skinner as he gets some stability, a raise and an opportunity to show he can do even more.

“Two years is really nice for me. It gives me two years to work on my game,” said Skinner. “Obviously, there’s a chance that you wanted to do one year. Obviously, you’d love to do eight-year deals and all that fun stuff, but I think just in terms of my situation and where I’m at, I’m just really looking forward to growing my game here the next two years as a Winnipeg Jet.

“Being able to play in that building, being able to be in that city with all of those amazing fans and amazing teammates that I’m going to have, it’s thrilling.”

Although it was occasionally a tumultuous time suiting up for his hometown team, the Oilers, Skinner embraces everything that comes with playing in a Canadian market.

“That was, as you know, the majority of my NHL career so far,” he said. “It hasn’t been super long, but in saying that, I feel like I’ve learned so much. So, playing in a Canadian market, I know that being in a Canadian market, we want a Canadian team to win the Cup.

“Not only that, but that was another reason of my choice for Winnipeg. The type of team that’s been built up, we got a good chance. That makes it very, very exciting for me. So, I understand the pressure going into a Canadian market. I know that the fans are incredible, and the fans are always there rooting for you.”

Calvin Pickard was Skinner’s goalie partner for several seasons with the Oilers and appreciates how he navigated the good times and the challenges.

“I think he’s been undervalued for what he’s done in his career so far. I had a front row seat for a couple of years,” Pickard said in a telephone interview on Wednesday after inking a one-year deal with the Minnesota Wild. “He’s a horse. He can play a ton, he’s durable and he’s got a ton of experience. He’s dominated playoff series’. You can read whatever you want and see the stuff that’s written online about him, but the truth of the matter is he’s played a lot of good hockey, especially in Edmonton. We wouldn’t have gone to two finals without him.

“An outstanding goalie, an outstanding guy. Winnipeg is getting a good one.”

Skinner believes the Jets are poised for a return to form after the disappointment of going from winning the Presidents’ Trophy to slipping to 27th overall last season.

“Looking at the track record and just the years before, you look down their lineup and they’re a scary team to play against,” said Skinner. “Whenever I played against them, it was a tough matchup. They are an incredible team, I think they’re extremely well-coached. You look down the lineup and we have some incredible players. Some of the best in the world. I also believe the depth the team has is very impressive. For my mind, I truly believe this team can do amazing and special things. I’m honoured to be a part of that.”

On Wednesday, defenceman Mario Ferraro agreed to terms on a three-year deal with the Jets that carries an AAV of US $4 million.

Ferraro, who turns 28 in September, has spent his entire career with the San Jose Sharks, contributing 24 goals and 114 points in 490 games while averaging more than 21 minutes of ice time per game.

Originally chosen in the second round by the Sharks in the 2017 NHL Draft, Ferraro is a mobile defender who plays a hard-nosed game and can help upgrade the penalty kill — as he’s recorded 955 hits and 920 blocked shots in seven NHL seasons.

Ferraro is scheduled to speak to the media on Thursday morning.

The Jets also added depth forward Noah Gregor on a one-year, two-way deal that includes an AAV of US $850,000 in the NHL and $450,000 in the minors, but with a guarantee of $500,000.

Gregor, who turns 28 later this month, has 40 goals and 79 points in 330 NHL games.

Former Jets backup Eric Comrie agreed to a two-year deal with an AAV of US$1.15 million with the Sharks, while defenceman Ville Heinola signed a one-year deal with the Vegas Golden Knights, defenceman Jacob Bryson signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings and fellow blue-liner Colin Miller signed overseas to play in Switzerland.

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