3 Winnipeg Jets Prospects Who Could Play Their First NHL Game in 22-23

2. Oskari Salminen

Salminen is a name that may not be familiar to most Jets supporters. Salminen is an undrafted goaltender from Finland, who the Jets signed this past offseason to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $925,000 at the NHL level and a minors salary of $80,000.

With David Rittich signing with the Jets in July, many believed that Salminen would get the least amount of playing time among Moose goaltenders in a trio with Mikhail Berdin and Arvid Holm.

During this past training camp Berdin, who led the 2021-2022 Moose goaltenders in games played, entered the NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program and was ruled ineligible for this season. He then subsequently signed with a KHL team in Russia.

Therefore, the Moose went from an expected trio of goaltenders to a tandem of Holm and Berdin. Although the Moose are only four games into their season, Salminen has been one of the stars of the team.

The six-foot-five-inch, twenty-three-year-old has started two games and has a 1.00 goals against average and an .961 save percentage. Salminen is currently tied for the lead in the AHL lead in lowest goals against average and he also has the second-lowest save percentage in the league.

If there is a point of the season when Jets’ goaltenders face any injury troubles, Salminen provides the Jets with an interesting option in net.