Any chance Hellebuyck gets the number 1 job

[hockeyrobot]

I think Winnipeg has a chance to compete this year so I would be going with the best option. I think it'll only be a matter of time before he takes over from Pavelec. Go Jets

[Axeman33]

Which team is going to claim Michael Hutchinson without having to send one of their goalies through waivers?

Who knows, but the Jets aren't about to take the chance that someone will, and thus screwing them come expansion draft time in regards to exposing Hellebuyck. You're right, it's unlikely someone would claim him but why take that risk.

[hockeyrobot]

Who knows, but the Jets aren't about to take the chance that someone will, and thus screwing them come expansion draft time in regards to exposing Hellebuyck. You're right, it's unlikely someone would claim him but why take that risk.

Because they're in contention and should be going with their best chance to win.

[Axeman33]

Because they're in contention and should be going with their best chance to win.

The Jets didn't even make the playoffs last year. They are not in contention.

[CascadeFilly]

Because they're in contention and should be going with their best chance to win.

Agreed (well, contention to make the playoffs, then who knows), and they could just grab some other fodder for the same purpose (expansion draft).

It was speculated on the radio yesterday that management simply likes Hutchinson, and they believe he's worth keeping. Not sure how he fits into any plans, other than being an average backup to Hellebyuck, but what do I know. To me, it looks like they're just delaying plans of real success one more season, because their young guns need another year of experience, but Hellebyuck should factor into the same plans of gaining that year of experience. Get him in there already. Allow him the opportunity to figure out the NHL game, and learn how to bounce back in a high pressure setting, etc. Look at what Pittsburgh did with Murray. I love the direction the Jets are going in, but it's frustrating to see the team continue to pander to long-term, older players, when there are better options available.

[Axeman33]

I am not even a hardcore Jets fan and I can tell you that the Jets management are just as excited, long-term, about Eric Comrie as they are Connor Hellebuyck as well they should be. Even if Hellebuyck starts the year in the AHL, he will be battling Comrie for starts down there and deservedly so.

[CascadeFilly]

I am not even a hardcore Jets fan and I can tell you that the Jets management are just as excited, long-term, about Eric Comrie as they are Connor Hellebuyck as well they should be. Even if Hellebuyck starts the year in the AHL, he will be battling Comrie for starts down there and deservedly so.

Oh, I agree that Comrie has every bit the same upside, but he's at least a year, probably two behind Hellebyuck. Hellebyuck will get the keys for a couple seasons, at least, and we'll see if Comrie pushes him out then. That's how I see it, at least. Certainly exciting to have two guys like this in the pipeline. A reward for suffering through years of mediocrity between the pipes.

Heck, even Phillips is a nice prospect, albeit even further away from any impact.

[MaCK]

Could the jets not trade for Mike Condon as expansion fodder if Hutchinson were claimed off waivers? How would that work?

[theslymonkey]

Could the jets not trade for Mike Condon as expansion fodder if Hutchinson were claimed off waivers? How would that work?

Yes, but then they would have to waive him too. Same issue.

[NikW71]

Yes, but then they would have to waive him too. Same issue.

And Montreal would have to nobody to expose with Montoya being a UFA at the end of this year as well

[chuckcouples]

Here's what some people are saying:

Let's put our best goaltender in the minors all year so that way we can have our 3rd best goalie available in the expansion draft.

Here's a much better strategy:

Dress your best lineup and try to win. This likely means waiving one of Pavelec or Hutchinson. There's a high probability neither of them would get claimed on waivers. If one of them does, then it's no worry at until next June as the Jets still have Comrie and Phillips in the minors for this season. Come June, if they still don't have a 2nd goalie with >2 years pro experience under contract for the following year, offer Ray Emery (or any other goalie who's not currently playing) and offer him the minimum salary for 2017/18 with the understanding that they will mutually agree to terminate the contract if he does not get picked in the expansion draft.

[Axeman33]

Here's what some people are saying:

Let's put our best goaltender in the minors all year so that way we can have our 3rd best goalie available in the expansion draft.

Here's a much better strategy:

Dress your best lineup and try to win. This likely means waiving one of Pavelec or Hutchinson. There's a high probability neither of them would get claimed on waivers. If one of them does, then it's no worry at until next June as the Jets still have Comrie and Phillips in the minors for this season. Come June, if they still don't have a 2nd goalie with >2 years pro experience under contract for the following year, offer Ray Emery (or any other goalie who's not currently playing) and offer him the minimum salary for 2017/18 with the understanding that they will mutually agree to terminate the contract if he does not get picked in the expansion draft.

The problem with your theory is the Jets have no intentions of exposing Hellebuyck and they are not going to pay Pavelec $3.9M to play in the AHL this year.

This is the Jets, not the Leafs. Every dollar counts. It's that simple.

Also, as strange as this sounds, I believe the Jets and Maurice, still actually believe in Pavelec. Believe it or not.

[theslymonkey]

The problem with your theory is the Jets have no intentions of exposing Hellebuyck and they are not going to pay Pavelec $3.9M to play in the AHL this year.

This is the part that doesn't make any sense. They have all three under contract. All three are going to get paid this year. So where each of them play doesn't really make a difference.

[agentzero]

Axe is right. Hellboy is AHL bound where he will dominate. Hutchinson has looked lights out in camp so far, but long term is no better than a backup. They are basically waiting for Pavelec to get hurt. We all know who the better goalie is but sometimes these things take time. Jake Allen had to wait almost 3 years before getting the crease to himself. Hellboy will have to wait one (unless Pavelec is injured, which is always a possibility).

[chuckcouples]

This is the Jets, not the Leafs. Every dollar counts. It's that simple.

You do realize that the owner of the Winnipeg Jets is the richest owner in the NHL right? His net worth is double that of any other owner.

How many teams, as of now, do not have a goalie to expose in the expansion draft outside of their starter? Here's a list of them by my quick count:

Buffalo
Calgary
Chicago (I can't see them offering Carruth a QO)
Minnesota
Montreal
Philadelphia

That's 6 teams who only have 1 goalie that they can currently expose in the waiver draft. June is a long time from now and a lot of contracts can be signed and a lot of players can move teams.