The Jets look likely to sign free agent for the backup job with few reliable options in the minors
There has been much debate on what the Winnipeg Jets will do if Laurent Brossoit decides to leave the team and vacate the backup goaltender role.
They could opt to go out and sign someone to fill the role or could look within the organization to see if someone can potentially be called up for the job.
Some of their options are the most senior netminder for the AHL Manitoba Moose in Collin Delia. He would need to be re-signed however as he signed a one-year deal last offseason but does have NHL experience with 52 games between Chicago and Vancouver over his career.
He also didn’t have the greatest season with the Moose as he recorded an 11-19-1 record with a 3.55 goals against average.
Manitoba’s goaltender development coach Drew MacIntyre feels Delia won’t return with the team next season and will become an unrestricted free agent.
“He won’t be back with us next year,” he said “On July 1st, he will be a free agent so hopefully he signs somewhere, it doesn’t look like it will be with us.”
The netminder who ran away with the Moose’s starting job towards the back half of last season was 21-year-old Thomas Milic. The Canadian bounced around from the ECHL back to the Moose, where he eventually earned the starting job, thanks to some stellar play.
He finished the season with an impressive 19-9-2 record and a 2.72 goals against average, making people within the hockey world turn their heads.
MacIntyre noted the key to his success was buying into the Jets' process and staying positive despite being sent down.
“His attitude is what was able to give him success, because a lot of guys will go to the East Coast league and not have the right attitude,” MacIntyre said. “He knew right away that that’s what was best for him and he was going to learn the pro game.”
Despite the dazzling first pro season, it doesn’t seem like Milic will get a crack the Jets' roster next season. He will need to continue his development in the AHL before being given a real chance at an NHL lineup.
“I believe he can get to another level in the AHL, but he’s got to be patient, he’s still a young guy and hopefully he can build off the season he had,” MacIntyre said.
He went on to note that most young netminders need roughly 150 pro games before receiving a real chance and Milic is making his way with 51 games between the ECHL and AHL this season.
The young phenom may not be ready to fulfill the backup role just yet, which means the organization should go in the direction of free agency as a short-term fix while Milic continues his development.