The Winnipeg Jets needed to add some goaltending depth after the trade of Steve Mason, and have found it in Laurent Brossoit. Darren Dreger of TSN reports the former Edmonton Oilers goaltender has signed a one-year one-way $650K contract with the Jets. Brossoit will have to battle Eric Comrie for the right to back up Connor Hellebuyck next season.
Brossoit, 25, reached free agent status through Group VI eligibility this summer after failing to appear in enough games with the Edmonton Oilers. He did get into 28 games over his career in Edmonton, but since only 23 of them were of 30 minutes or greater, didn’t meet the threshold to stay under team control. That’s Winnipeg’s gain, as they needed to add to their goaltending group after Mason’s exit and Michael Hutchinson’s decision to head for Florida in free agency.
The young goaltender hasn’t shown much in the NHL, but does have good numbers in the minor leagues. Whether he’ll be asked to start for the Manitoba Moose or sit on the end of the bench in the NHL most nights isn’t clear, but he’s ready to do both. If Brossoit does land the Jets backup job, he’ll have to be well prepared. Connor Hellebuyck has faced injury before, and is coming off a season with a huge workload thanks to Mason’s inconsistency and injury trouble.
As an Oilkings seat holder….. I’m happy for L.B. And a Great team for him to go to.