The chairs are filling up, but the music hasn't even started playing.

Or has it?

The high stakes game of musical chairs for netminders is already underway, even with the Stanley Cup playoffs ongoing.

During the past several weeks, both the Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars took a big step toward solving their goaltending issues.

The Hurricanes made the first pre-emptive strike, sending a third-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks for Scott Darling, who ended up signing a four-year deal worth an average annual value of $4.15 million.

The Stars moved a fourth-rounder to the Los Angeles Kings for Ben Bishop and signed him to a six-year deal with an average annual value just under $5 million.

Sure, there's an element of risk involved with both moves.

Darling has done a great job backing up Corey Crawford, but has limited experience carrying the load.

Bishop had a bit of a down year after being a Vezina Trophy finalist the previous season and he'll be 36 when the deal expires.

The Stars have more money invested in goalies than any other team in the NHL and they'll be looking to buy out one of Kari Lehtonen or Antti Niemi this summer, if they can't move either one of their contracts.

The bigger risk for both the Hurricanes and Stars would have been not addressing the problem.

That still applies to the Winnipeg Jets, who were always expected to make their move between the pipes after the expansion draft and still will.

Why not strike earlier?

While the results of the Connor Hellebuyck experiment were mixed, the Jets aren't about to risk losing him for nothing in expansion and they still believe in him long term, so trading him doesn't make much sense either.

While the trade route is still possible, it's unlikely – at least until the expansion draft is completed on June 21.

It will also probably rule out some other top candidates, like Marc-Andre Fleury of the Pittsburgh Penguins – whose outstanding work in the playoffs is driving up the price tags for goalie-needy teams looking to him as their solution.

Fleury makes sense for the Jets on a number of levels, especially since he's under contract for two more seasons at an AAV of $5.75 million.

But he's more likely to go to another team in need of a starter before the expansion draft, since the Penguins want to acquire an asset rather than lose him for nothing.

The Calgary Flames seem like a natural fit to me.

Speaking of the Flames, Brian Elliott is a name that's being tossed around as a candidate for the Jets.

He's 32, has plenty of experience in the Central Division as both a starter and a backup and while his past season started slowly, he provided strong enough goaltending to get the Flames into the playoffs.

There's no doubt Elliott struggled in the playoffs against the Ducks but he also helped the St. Louis Blues reach the Western Conference final the previous season.

He would also be a good mentor for Hellebuyck.

Elliott made $2.5 million last season and will be looking for a raise, but he'd make sense on a two-year deal.

Anaheim Ducks backup Jonathan Bernier also makes a lot of sense in the “still something to prove” category.

Bernier was excellent for the Ducks down the stretch when John Gibson was injured, he's played in a Canadian market (Toronto) and believes he can still be a starter.

Ottawa Senators backup Mike Condon could also fit the bill after going 19-14-5 with a 2.48 goals against average and .914 save % this season, all for the small salary of $575,000.

If the Jets are looking for the next Cam Talbot – a capable backup who is ready for the top job – Antti Raanta of the New York Rangers should be on the radar, since he's played well behind both Crawford and Henrik Lundqvist.

Washington Capitals backup Philipp Grubauer makes sense here as well, though he's also likely to be on the move before the expansion draft or could factor into the Golden Knights plans.

It's important to remember that both Hellebuyck and top goalie prospect Eric Comrie are going to require waivers in the 2018-19 season, so inking a netminder to a long-term deal doesn't seem likely.

But failing to upgrade the position simply isn't an option for the Jets and action must be taken before the puck drops in October.

kwiebe@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/WiebeSunSports

Five goalie targets for Winnipeg Jets

Marc-Andre Fleury

Pittsburgh Penguins

Age: 32

2016-17 stats: 38 GP, 18-10-7, 1 SO, 3.02 GAA, .909 save %

Contract status: Has two more seasons left on a five-year deal that carries an AAV of $5.75 million

The skinny: His outstanding playoff run makes him the top candidate for all teams looking for a starter.

Jonathan Bernier

Anaheim Ducks

Age: 28

2016-17 stats: 39 GP, 21-7-4, 2 SO, 2.50 GAA, .915 save %

Contract status: In final season of a deal that carries an AAV of $4.15 million

The skinny: Joining the Ducks rejuvenated his career and he looks ready to return to a starting job.

Antti Raanta

New York Rangers

Age: 27

2016-17 stats: 30 GP, 16-8-2, 4 SO, 2.26 GAA, .922 save %

Contract status: One year left on a two-year contract that carries an AAV of $1 million

The skinny: A prime candidate to be the next Cam Talbot or Martin Jones.

Brian Elliott

Calgary Flames

Age: 32

2016-17 stats: 49 GP, 26-18-3, 2 SO, 2.55 GAA, .910 save %

Contract status: In final year of three-year deal that carries an AAV of $2.5 million

The skinny: Mixed results this season and a tough playoff, but he's done the job in the Central Division as both a starter and more than capable backup.

Mike Condon

Ottawa Senators

Age: 27

2016-17 stats: 40 GP, 19-14-6, 5 SO, 2.50 GAA, .914 save %

Contract status: In final year of a two-year deal that carries an AAV of $575,000

The skinny: Played in two Canadian markets and has some experience carrying the top job with both the Senators and Montreal Canadiens. Looks ready for expanded role.