What Happened
Winnipeg opened the 2026-27 season with a 2-0-1 record, earning five of a possible six points despite Connor Hellebuyck's ongoing trade holdout. The Jets pushed the Boston Bruins to overtime, then beat the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins by one goal each. Stuart Skinner made 34 saves against Detroit for his first win in Winnipeg, while rookie Clay Stevenson stopped 29 shots to beat Pittsburgh. According to Sportsnet, special teams and depth scoring have also stood out under head coach Scott Arniel.
Key Details
- Jets are 2-0-1 through three games, with five of six points.
- Hellebuyck remains in a trade holdout as the front office seeks a resolution.
- Skinner, 27, allowed a long-range goal in the opener but helped salvage a point.
- Skinner then made 34 saves against Detroit for his first Winnipeg win.
- Stevenson, a rookie, made 29 saves against Pittsburgh, which had 13 goals in its first two games.
What It Means
Goaltending was Winnipeg's biggest question entering the season after Hellebuyck's holdout, and the early returns have been encouraging. Skinner has handled the starter's workload, while Stevenson's first NHL action suggests the club could eventually use a 1A-1B tandem. Sportsnet notes the sample size is small and an 84-game season will bring ups and downs, but the Jets' defensive structure, special teams and depth scoring have given them a chance each night.
What's Next
Winnipeg's front office continues working toward a resolution of Hellebuyck's trade holdout. The Jets will look to sustain their early form as the season continues, with Skinner and Stevenson expected to share the crease in the meantime.