There are few certainties in the National Hockey League, but as training camps for the 2025-26 season approach, one thing is abundantly clear: the Winnipeg Jets possess the most formidable goaltending depth chart in professional hockey.
The organization boasts the reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner, a highly capable NHL backup, and a pipeline with potential NHL backup options still developing. And yet, this undeniable strength is shadowed by a paradox. The team’s cornerstone, Connor Hellebuyck, is coming off one of the most decorated individual regular seasons in modern history, a year that also saw his team capture the Presidents’ Trophy. It was a campaign of utter dominance that ended in playoff disappointment, with the league’s best goalie looking uncharacteristically vulnerable when it mattered most. This is the story of the Jets’ greatest asset and the challenge that lies ahead: converting individual brilliance and organizational depth into postseason victory.
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The Weight of the Crown
To fully grasp the Jets’ situation, one must start with the singular force that is Connor Hellebuyck. His 2024-25 season was a masterclass. He secured his second consecutive Vezina Trophy, his second consecutive William M. Jennings Trophy, and the Hart Trophy as the league’s MVP. He was, without question, the most valuable player on the league’s best regular-season team.
Then came the playoffs. The impenetrable wall suddenly showed cracks. A 3.08 goals-against average and a startlingly low .866 save percentage were the final statistics of a premature exit. Hellebuyck, in a moment of candor, admitted he may have “overthought his game.” This sets the stage for a compelling 2025-26 narrative. The primary strategic question facing the Jets’ coaching staff is one of workload. After another 60-plus game season, was the league’s best netminder simply running on fumes?
The benchmark for Hellebuyck remains astronomically high—a save percentage of .915 or better is the expectation, and he will undoubtedly be in the Vezina conversation from the opening puck drop. However, the true measure of success this season won’t be found in another trophy for his collection, but in his ability to sustain his elite performance through the punishing grind of four playoff rounds.
The Deputy’s Expanded Mandate
The key to unlocking a fresher, more durable playoff version of Hellebuyck lies squarely on the shoulders of his tandem partner, Eric Comrie. A solid backup goaltender, Comrie is far more than a placeholder who just keeps the bench warm. He is a crucial strategic piece in the Jets’ larger championship puzzle.
For the Jets to successfully manage Hellebuyck’s workload, Comrie’s role must expand. The directive is for him to play at least 10 more games than he did last season, providing reliable, high-quality relief that allows the team to bank points while their starter rests. This isn’t just about giving Hellebuyck nights off; it’s about fundamentally altering the team’s season-long approach to ensure their most valuable player is at his absolute peak in April, not March. Comrie’s ability to step in and secure victories in an increased number of starts will be one of the most critical factors in determining Winnipeg’s ultimate success.
Securing the Kingdom: From Poulter to the Pipeline
A true fortress has multiple layers of defense, and the Jets’ front office has diligently worked to ensure their goaltending depth extends well beyond the NHL roster. A key offseason move was the signing of 23-year-old Winnipeg native Isaac Poulter to a one-year, two-way contract. Poulter brings solid AHL experience, having posted a career .900 save percentage at that level. He is slated to be a core component of the Manitoba Moose and serves as the essential third-string option—a reliable professional ready to step up in case of injury to either Hellebuyck or Comrie.
Looking further into the future, the foundation becomes even more interesting. The Jets’ prospect pool features Thomas Milic and Domenic DiVincentiis, who are decorated winners. DiVincentiis is a former OHL Goaltender of the Year, while Milic boasts a WHL Goaltender of the Year title and a World Juniors gold medal. Their development with the Moose provides the organization with potential long-term backup options.
In summary, the Jets’ goaltending situation for the 2025-26 season is a model of roster construction. They have an elite, MVP-caliber starter in Hellebuyck, a trusted backup in Comrie, a dependable AHL depth option in Poulter, and a future behind Hellebuyck secured by Milic and DiVincentiis. The talent is unquestionable. The challenge now is one of execution and strategy. The entire season will be a calculated effort to balance regular-season demands with the ultimate goal of having a rested and ready Connor Hellebuyck when the Stanley Cup is on the line.
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