It’s a streak he hopes to continue with his new club.
asserted
he → ’ → club
The Winnipeg Jets signed Skinner to a two-year, US$7.5-million contract when unrestricted free agency opened July 1.
asserted
agency → sign → contract
The 27-year-old from Edmonton has made the most of his first training camp with the team.
asserted
old → make → team
With the Jets preparing to open their 2026-27 regular season Oct. 2 at home against the Boston Bruins, Skinner has tried to nail down his new teammates’ names — asking some as many as three times.
But he’s been impressed by the team’s talent and collective focus as the Jets push to rebound from a disappointing 2025-26 campaign.
“It’s been good,” Skinner said.
asserted
Skinner → prepare → campaign
“I feel like in this situation, you definitely wanted to come in early and kind of dive right in.”
asserted
you → feel → situation
Stuart was signed as insurance.
asserted
Stuart → sign → insurance
Star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck put his future in Winnipeg in serious doubt after voicing his displeasure following a 35-35-12 finish last season.
asserted
Hellebuyck → put → finish
And when Hellebuyck went public with his trade request in late August, followed by an indefinite suspension for not reporting to camp, Skinner was suddenly thrust into the starting role, with little experienced competition behind him.
Sharing the same agent as Hellebuyck, Skinner wasn’t blind to what he was walking into.
asserted
he → go → what
He nonetheless appreciated the support from the organization and looked forward to building on his last few weeks with the Jets.
asserted
He → appreciate → Jets
“No matter what situation you’re in, no matter what type of spotlight, pressure... you got your work that you got to do,” Skinner said.
asserted
Skinner → ’re → that
“My job’s to do my work in the gym, do my work in the video room, go on the ice and stop pucks.”
asserted
job → ’ → pucks
Skinner enters his sixth NHL season since he was selected by his hometown Oilers in the third round of the 2017 NHL draft.
asserted
he → enter → draft
After helping Edmonton reach back-to-back Stanley Cup finals in 2024 and 2025, he became a scapegoat for the Oilers’ inability to close out and claim the Cup.
uncertain
he → help → Cup
Skinner was traded to Pittsburgh in December last season.
asserted
Skinner → trade → December
While his statistics remained modest after the trade, he helped lift an underdog Penguins team into the playoffs before he became a free agent.
asserted
he → remain → playoffs
While Hellebuyck is considered among the best goalies in the world — with a 345-208-55 record, a 2.58 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage over his 11-year career in Winnipeg — Skinner has been more than serviceable.
asserted
Skinner → consider → Winnipeg
He’s started 218 games, with a record of 121-71-23, a 2.77 GAA and a .902 save percentage.
asserted
He → start → 121
At 27, he’s younger than the 33-year-old Hellebuyck.
asserted
he → ’ → Hellebuyck
Hellebuyck has played more minutes and made more saves than any other netminder since his debut in 2015.
asserted
Hellebuyck → play → 2015
He routinely played over 60 games per season when healthy.
asserted
He → play → season
Skinner has topped out at 59 games in 2023-24, with his next busiest season at 51.
asserted
Skinner → top → 51
Despite the regular season expanding to 84 games under the league’s new collective bargaining agreement, Skinner feels confident he can fill whatever role the Jets need.
asserted
Jets → expand → role
“I can definitely take on a high load if that’s what’s needed,” Skinner said.
asserted
Skinner → take → load
“I love playing as many games as I can possibly play.
uncertain
I → play → games
He made a strong impression in his first outing with the Jets when he stopped 31 of 32 shots in a 3-1 pre-season win over the visiting Colorado Avalanche.
asserted
he → make → Avalanche
That prompted loud “Stuuu” chants from the home crowd.
asserted
That → prompt → crowd
It was about as good a first impression as he could have hoped for, and endeared him to his new teammates.
uncertain
he → hop → teammates
“He’s just a great guy.
asserted
He → ’ → ?
Works hard,” said centre Mark Scheifele.
asserted
Scheifele → work → ?
“He’s curious about certain shots if you score on him.
asserted
you → ’ → him
What can he do better?
asserted
he → do → What
What did you see?
asserted
you → see → What
We’re just excited to keep getting to know him.”
asserted
We → ’re → him
While Skinner gets comfortable with his new surroundings, he’s built up a cheering section among NHL fans.
asserted
he → get → fans
With many feeling he got a raw deal in Edmonton — along with his genuine honesty in interviews and advocacy for mental health awareness — he has many outside Winnipeg hoping he does well.
asserted
he → feel → Winnipeg
Skinner said he doesn’t follow social media, but he’s aware of the support he’s received from other corners of the hockey world.
asserted
he → say → world
With a big season ahead, any good karma is welcomed.
asserted
karma → welcome → season
“It means so much to have people behind you and have people that you know care about you — it is more than hockey,” Skinner said.
asserted
Skinner → mean → hockey
It’s overwhelming with how much love I feel in my heart for the fans here and for how much love I do get.
asserted
I → ’ → love
I mean, you heard it in the stands, even in my first pre-season game.
asserted
you → mean → game
…and 2 more, not listed.
The Aporia
