Winnipeg Jets announce a goalie move and it's official: GM Kevin Cheveldayoff makes his decision

Clay Stevenson is headed to Winnipeg after Scott Arniel's Jets made a late waiver claim that suddenly changes the picture in the crease.

The Jets claimed Stevenson from the Washington Capitals on Monday, adding another goaltender just as their opening roster was coming into focus.

It's the kind of move that can look minor on a transaction sheet and much bigger inside a locker room. Winnipeg didn't simply add organizational depth. The Jets created immediate competition behind Stuart Skinner.

Stevenson, 27, has appeared in only 5 NHL games, so this isn't a veteran arriving with a locked-in job. But Winnipeg had a clear reason to scan the waiver wire for help.

The Jets entered Monday with Skinner and Domenic DiVincentiis as their remaining healthy goalies in camp. DiVincentiis had made 21 saves in a 2-1 overtime preseason loss to Edmonton.

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That made Winnipeg one of the teams worth watching when the waiver results dropped. Stevenson was available, and the Jets acted. Winnipeg Free Press

Jets suddenly have a decision in the crease

The claim puts pressure directly on the backup job. DiVincentiis is waiver-exempt, giving Winnipeg the flexibility to send him to the Manitoba Moose without risking another team taking him. Winnipeg Free Press

Stevenson brings an intriguing profile. At 6-foot-4, he's a big goaltender who has spent most of his professional career developing with the Hershey Bears rather than carrying a heavy NHL workload.

And his limited NHL numbers aren't empty. Stevenson owns a .910 save percentage and 2.60 goals-against average across his first 5 appearances. Puckpedia

That's a tiny sample, but this claim isn't about Winnipeg finding a finished product. It's about adding another legitimate option at a position that had become one of the biggest questions around camp.

Kevin Cheveldayoff also had waiver priority working in his favor after Winnipeg finished 26th overall last season. Instead of standing pat, the Jets used it. Winnipeg Free Press

Now Arniel has another goalie in the room and another decision to make before the season gets moving.

Stevenson just went from the waiver wire to one of Winnipeg's most interesting roster battles.

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