The Winnipeg Jets have a Vezina Trophy winner in net and a gold medalist in net. But they also have a goalie depth chart that needed some attention. So Kevin Cheveldayoff took care of the lower rung this week.
The Jets extended minor league goaltender Isaac Poulter to a one-year, two-way contract worth $855,000 at the NHL level. He’s 24 years old, he’s from Winnipeg, and he spent last season bouncing between the AHL and ECHL.
Poulter played three games for the Manitoba Moose and went 2-0-0 with a 2.83 goals-against average and .885 save percentage. That’s a tiny sample. The bulk of his work came with the Norfolk Admirals in the ECHL, where he played 43 games. He went 25-17-1 with two shutouts, a 2.76 GAA and a .905 save percentage. Over his entire AHL career — 80 games — he’s 42-24-10 with five shutouts and a .899 save percentage.
That’s solid depth. It’s not the story fans are watching though.
The Hellebuyck situation isn’t going away
Connor Hellebuyck was the 130th pick in 2012. He turned into arguably the best goalie in the world. And now his future with the Jets is the subject of constant speculation. The team hasn’t confirmed anything. But the rumors keep circling.
Hellebuyck just helped the United States shock Canada in the gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. It was the first American gold since the 1980 Miracle on Ice. He played out of his mind. That only increased his value — and the questions around whether Winnipeg can afford to keep him or should trade him for a haul.
The Jets won the Presidents’ Trophy in 2024-25. They didn’t even make the playoffs this season. That’s a brutal drop. And it puts everything under a microscope.
Poulter’s extension is a small move. It’s insurance. It doesn’t answer the big question. But it tells you Cheveldayoff is at least covering his bases while the Hellebuyck drama plays out.
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