Let's assume the Winnipeg Jets have decided they'll bring another goalie into the stable for next season.

So, how do they go out and get one?

Generally, there are three options available to every team.

Fill the job internally with a prospect or draft pick, sign someone in free agency or make a trade.

Even with a strong showing in his NHL debut, Eric Comrie is expected to need another year in the American Hockey League with the Manitoba Moose, so that leaves the two other options.

It's important to remember the upcoming expansion draft for the Vegas Golden Knights complicates things somewhat, so the trade option could be available but it won't likely occur before the NHL Draft (which comes a few days after the expansion draft).

Several other teams – like the Dallas Stars – could explore the trade option prior to the expansion draft since they are likely to buy out one goalie and expose the other.

But it wouldn't make as much sense for the Jets, since acquiring another netminder would most likely mean exposing Connor Hellebuyck instead of Michael Hutchinson, who is likely going to either be in the minors or move on to another organization next season.

While Hellebuyck endured some issues handling the No. 1 job this summer, the Jets aren't ready to give up on him, not after recording 26 victories in 56 appearances (and 53 starts).

It's virtually impossible to know when Hellebuyck is going to be ready to assume the mantle, but he requires waivers and the Jets won't risk losing him for nothing.

Comrie has one year remaining on his entry-level deal, but he'll require waivers by the time the 2018-19 season rolls along.

That's one of the reasons going the trade route – for a goalie with limited term left on his contract – might be a more appealing route for the Jets to go.

In theory, at least.

During the past two seasons, the San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames and Buffalo Sabres picked up a new goalie starter via trade.

The Sharks got Martin Jones from the Boston Bruins (who had been traded there by the Los Angeles Kings in the deal for Milan Lucic) at the 2015 Draft, shipping out a first-rounder in 2016 (29th overall) and forward prospect Sean Kuraly. The cost was high, but Jones got the Sharks to the Stanley Cup final in his first season as a starter.

The Leafs acquired Frederik Andersen from the Anaheim Ducks last June for a first-round pick (30th overall, in 2016) plus a second-rounder in 2017 and the Great Dane was instrumental in lifting Toronto from last place overall to a surprise playoff berth this season.

Cam Talbot was added by the Oilers (along with the 209th pick) from the New York Rangers on June 27 of 2015 for the 57th (second), 79th (third) and 184th picks (seventh) and he got his team into the post-season in his second season as the starter.

The Buffalo Sabres also picked up Robin Lehner (and forward David Legwand) from the Ottawa Senators for the 21st overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.

At the draft last year, the Flames sent a second-rounder (35th overall) and a conditional pick to the St. Louis Blues for Brian Elliott.

Elliott was heading into the final year of his deal and was going to likely cede the starting job to Jake Allen, but he had just led the Blues to within two wins of reaching the Stanley Cup final.

The Flames cleaned house in the crease and also brought in Chad Johnson as a free agent and having that insurance proved valuable when Elliott struggled early in the season.

Elliott eventually found his form and got the Flames into the playoffs.

At the trade deadline this year, the Los Angeles Kings picked up Tampa Bay Lightning starter Ben Bishop in a deal that included Peter Budaj, a defence prospect, a seventh-round pick and a conditional draft pick.

Bishop was picked up as insurance for Jonathan Quick and the price was lower than usual because of the upcoming expansion draft.

Bishop is a guy who is expected to be on the Jets' radar, though they'll have competition and is expected to command pretty big dollars and term if he makes it to unrestricted free agency on July 1.

The biggest rags-to-riches goalie story in recent years saw Devan Dubnyk traded to the Minnesota Wild by the Arizona Coyotes for a third round pick in January of 2014.

Dubnyk saved the Wild season and became a Vezina Trophy candidate, less than a year after he cleared waivers and was sent to the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL by the Montreal Canadiens.

Talk about finding lightning in a bottle.

Even if the trade route is preferred, do the Jets go after an established starter like Marc-Andre Fleury of the Pittsburgh Penguins or will they try to find the next Jones or Talbot?

The problem with waiting to make a trade until after the expansion draft is that the top available goalies will already be chosen by the Golden Knights and they most likely won't be interested in dealing that player, unless the price is right.

If the trade route requires the navigation of a few too many land mines for the Jets, what about free agency?

Ondrej Pavelec and his $3.9 million cap hit and $4.75 million salary are coming off the books, so there's money available.

The next step is finding the right guy, at the right price and for the right term.

While it's possible the Flames keep him around, Elliott makes sense for the Jets to pursue this summer as well, especially given his age (32) and experience level.

Chicago Blackhawks backup Scott Darling is another guy who will be at or near the top of the wish list for several clubs, including the Jets.

Same goes for Ottawa Senators backup Mike Condon, who did some excellent work with Craig Anderson missing time during the season as his wife battled cancer.

Not having another viable option between the pipes simply isn't a solution for the Jets this off-season.

No matter what route the Jets choose to take, action must be taken.

kwiebe@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/WiebeSunSports

The Winnipeg Jets goalie search

The trade targets

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: It was a down year, but he has Stanley Cup pedigree and ample experience. Has a modified no-trade clause but wants to be a starter again.

Philipp Grubauer

Washington Capitals

Age: 25

2016-17 stats: 24 GP, 13-6-2, 3 SO, 2.04 GAA, .926 save %

Contract status: Will be an RFA on July 1 after completing a two-year deal that carries an AAV of $750,000

The skinny: Considered one of the best backups on the market, he'll be appealing to the Golden Knights, since GM George McPhee drafted him when he was still with the Capitals.

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: This more than capable backup has spent time behind Henrik Lundqvist and Corey Crawford and is looking for his big break.

The pending free agents

Ben Bishop

Los Angeles Kings/Tampa Bay Lightning

Age: 30

2016-17 stats: 39 GP, 18-15-5, 1 SO, 2.54 GAA, .910 save %

Contract status: In final year of a two-year deal that carries an AAV of $5.95 million

The skinny: Just one year after being a Vezina Trophy finalist, Bishop dealt with an injury and saw his numbers decline a bit before he was traded to the Kings. He's ready to reclaim a starting job somewhere and should have no shortage of suitors, though he's not likely going to get the $6 million AAV he was hoping for on a long-term deal.

Scott Darling

Chicago Blackhawks

Age: 28

2016-17 stats: 32 GP, 18-5-5, 2 SO, 2.38 GAA, .924 save %

Contract status: In final year of two-year deal that carries an AAV of $587,500

The skinny: After serving a two-year apprenticeship, many observers believe he's got what it takes to be a bonafide starter.

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: The veteran regrouped after a slow start to get Flames into the playoffs. Has experience as both a backup and clear-cut No. 1.

Mike Condon

Ottawa Senators

Age: 26 (27 on April 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: Split time with Craig Anderson and helped Sens keep season afloat while Anderson was away for personal reasons.