What happened: Winnipeg's July 1 signing of goaltender Stuart Skinner to a two-year, $3.75 million deal pushes prospect Thomas Milic further down the depth chart behind Skinner and three-time Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck. The 23-year-old Milic had been positioning himself to compete for the backup job after Eric Comrie left in free agency to sign with the San Jose Sharks.
Why it matters: With a crowded crease, Winnipeg could look to trade Milic for future assets rather than let him sit behind two established NHL goaltenders. The Toronto Maple Leafs offered a template this offseason, packaging third-string goaltender Dennis Hildeby with draft picks to land forward Nick Paul from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
By the numbers: Milic posted a 20-13-8 record with a 2.64 goals-against average and .905 save percentage in the AHL last season. His three NHL appearances came against playoff teams Edmonton and Buffalo, and his lone start was against eventual Stanley Cup champion Carolina.
What to watch: Watch whether Winnipeg fields trade offers for Milic as teams around the league continue to shop for goaltending depth ahead of the 2026-27 season.