Winnipeg Jets: Skinner steadies crease as Bauer makes early impact

Three games into the 2026-27 NHL season, the Winnipeg Jets have turned a potentially turbulent opening into a productive one. Despite the uncertainty around Connor Hellebuyck’s trade holdout, Winnipeg has collected five of a possible six points, pushing the Boston Bruins to overtime before earning one-goal wins over the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Skinner and Stevenson calm early goaltending questions

Goaltending was the biggest storyline heading into camp, but the early returns have eased some of the concern. Newly acquired starter Stuart Skinner allowed a long-range goal in Boston, yet locked in during the third period to secure a point. He followed that up at home with a 34-save effort versus Detroit, rewarding fans who have already taken to chanting his name after routine stops.

Rookie Clay Stevenson impressed in his first NHL appearance as well, stopping 29 shots in a win over Pittsburgh and holding a high-scoring Penguins team to just two goals. If he can translate his AHL form into consistent NHL play, the Jets may be able to lean on a true 1A-1B setup in net, provided both goaltenders maintain their level.

Bjorck trusted in all situations, special teams rebound

Up front, 18-year-old rookie Viggo Bjorck is still searching for his first point, but the signs are mostly positive. He has already hit a post in Detroit, been denied in tight by Jeremy Swayman in Boston and created several high-danger looks for linemates. There have been predictable mistakes — including a turnover on Detroit’s tying goal and an ill-advised blind pass — yet his poise with the puck and knack for forcing turnovers have stood out.

Head coach Scott Arniel has not sheltered him. Bjorck has seen time on both the power play and penalty kill, been trusted to protect third-period leads against Boston and Detroit, and even took a defensive-zone draw in overtime versus the Bruins. Arniel also shuffled his lines against Pittsburgh, swapping Isak Rosén and Morgan Barron. Barron’s size and experience gave the newly formed unit a different look that could stick.

Special teams, a sore spot after last season’s drop-off from a Presidents’ Trophy year, have started strongly. The power play has produced four goals through three games, three of them from Kyle Connor and one from Cole Perfetti. Perfetti also has assists on all three Connor tallies, while Gabriel Vilardi and Josh Morrissey have chipped in two helpers each. On the penalty kill, Winnipeg has allowed just one goal on nine opportunities, leaning on Adam Lowry and Barron while occasionally using Connor and Bjorck to threaten shorthanded.

Depth scoring and Bauer’s physical edge change the tone

The Jets know they need offence beyond their top line, and early contributions from the back end have helped. Defencemen Dylan DeMelo and Mario Ferraro both scored in the opener against Boston. In Pittsburgh, an overhauled third line of Lowry, Rosén and Alex Iafallo drove the comeback, with Iafallo tying the game early in the third period before setting up Lowry for the go-ahead goal.

That production has helped offset a quiet start for Mark Scheifele, who is still without a point but has regularly been around the puck. Meanwhile, rookie defenceman Tyrel Bauer has supplied a different kind of impact. He dropped the gloves in each of his first two games, taking on Boston’s Mark Kastelic and Detroit’s Keegan Kolesar and clearly winning both bouts. Inside the room, his stock is rising fast; Kyle Connor called him a “phenomenal teammate,” while Skinner said he is “a guy you’d run through a train for.”

Bauer’s ice time has been limited so far, but questions about whether he belongs on the roster have faded quickly. As the Jets prepare for a long 84-game schedule and some hostile arenas, their early formula — solid goaltending, revived special teams, emerging depth and added bite from Bauer — has given them a promising foundation.