LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 5: Pheonix Copley #29 of the Los Angeles Kings protects the goal during the second period against the Boston Bruins at Crypto.com Arena on January 5, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Winnipeg Jets are likely in search of a new backup goaltender for next season. Laurent Brossoit, who excelled behind Connor Hellebuyck upon his return to Winnipeg, is expected to earn a starting salary elsewhere as an unrestricted free agent (UFA).
While this is well-deserved for Brossoit, it poses a challenge for the Jets, as he was the NHL’s top backup, providing the team with a solid chance to win alongside Hellebuyck. Together, they allowed just 199 goals all season, securing the William M. Jennings Trophy.
Thomas Milic, a 2023 fifth-round pick who had an impressive rookie season with the Manitoba Moose, still needs one or two more seasons in the AHL. There are no other goaltenders in the organization currently ready for the NHL. Consequently, General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff will need to explore the free-agent market to find Hellebuyck’s backup for 2024-25. Here are three potential targets:
Pheonix Copley
The re-signing of former Jets backup David Rittich by the Los Angeles Kings could open the door for Pheonix Copley to come to Winnipeg.
Rittich posted strong numbers in 24 games with the Kings this season after spending 2022-23 with the Jets. He secured the backup role when Copley suffered an ACL injury in December, leading to season-ending surgery. Before the injury, Copley had a 4-1-2 record, 3.26 goals-against average (GAA), .870 save percentage (SV%), and one shutout in eight starts.
With the Kings potentially moving on from 36-year-old Cam Talbot or another goalie, Copley, now 32 and a UFA, seems expendable. Copley had an uneven NHL career, but his best season was 2022-23 with the Kings, posting a 24-6-3 record, 2.64 GAA, .903 SV%, and one shutout in 37 games.
Chris Driedger
Manitoban Chris Driedger has struggled with injuries but could benefit from a return to his hometown.
Driedger, 29 and a UFA, played just two games for the Seattle Kraken this season, with a 2.51 GAA and .917 SV%. He missed most of the 2022-23 season due to an ACL tear and spent his brief healthy period in the AHL with the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Drafted by the Kraken in 2021, Driedger had a three-year, $3.5 million annual contract. In their inaugural season, he went 9-14-1 with a 2.96 GAA and .899 SV% despite dealing with injuries. Throughout his career with the Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers, and Kraken, he has a 34-21-5 record, 2.45 GAA, .917 SV%, and five shutouts.
Kevin Lankinen
Kevin Lankinen might be an odd man out in the Nashville Predators’ goaltending situation and could benefit from a change of scenery.
Lankinen, 29 and a UFA, made 17 starts for the Predators this season, going 11-6-0 with a 2.82 GAA, .908 SV%, and one shutout. With Juuse Saros as the Predators’ clear number one and Yaroslav Askarov poised for the NHL, Lankinen could find himself without a spot.
Lankinen has played for the Chicago Blackhawks and the Predators, accumulating a 3.07 GAA, .905 SV%, and three shutouts in 101 starts.
Martin Jones
Veteran Martin Jones has extended his career by providing backup or tandem services and is a known and experienced option.
Jones, 34 and a UFA, played for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season, achieving an 11-8-1 record, 2.87 GAA, .902 SV%, and two shutouts. Jones has also played for the Seattle Kraken and Philadelphia Flyers in recent seasons. He is best known for his six seasons with the San Jose Sharks, where he made 325 starts and led them to the Stanley Cup Final in 2015-16. In his career, he has a 236-171-36 record, 2.72 GAA, .905 SV%, and 30 shutouts, along with a strong playoff performance.
