The help wanted sign remains up for the Winnipeg Jets, with free agency right around the corner.

Bringing in an experienced goalie is at the top of the list of priorities and the Jets have checked in with the camp of pending unrestricted free agent Steve Mason during the courting period.

Mason, 29, was 26-21-8 with a 2.66 goals-against average and .908 save percentage with three shutouts in 58 games with the Philadelphia Flyers last season.

The Jets are one of several teams that have inquired about Mason, though Brian Elliott appears to remain an option as well.

During his 10 NHL seasons, Mason is 200-177-63 with 33 shutouts and a .911 save percentage in 463 games.

Mason, who was chosen in the third round by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2006, is coming off a three-year contract that carried an average annual value of $4.1 million.

Aside from a goalie to share the crease with Connor Hellebuyck, a left-handed shooting defenceman is also on the Jets’ radar.

Might Dmitry Kulikov be a potential solution?

Kulikov’s name was brought up by Elliotte Friedman in his 30 Thoughts column and he makes sense, given his work as a mobile, puck-moving blue-liner who can play with an edge.

Because of a back injury, Kulikov, 26, was limited to two goals and five points in 47 games last season with the Buffalo Sabres.

The 26-year-old Russian was the 14th overall pick of the 2009 NHL draft by the Florida Panthers and is coming off a three-year contract that carried an average annual value of $4.333 million.

Kulikov, who has 30 goals, 143 points in 507 games, is likely going to have to take a pay cut but still could get a multi-year deal in the range of $3 million.

Roughly a dozen teams have been in contact with Kulikov’s camp since the free agency courting period opened on Sunday, so there will be competition for his services.

Kulikov had eight goals and 19 points during the 2013-14 season and a career-high 22 points (with three goals) in 2014-15 with the Panthers, who then shipped him to the Sabres in a trade for Mark Pysyk.

Another option could be Patrick Wiercioch, who became an unrestricted free agent after the Colorado Avalanche failed to provide him with a qualifying offer on Monday.

Wiercioch, 26, had four goals and 12 points in 57 games last season and has 16 goals and 74 points in 268 NHL games with the Avalanche and Ottawa Senators, who chose him in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2008 NHL draft.

Washington Capitals blue-liner Karl Alzner is one of the most coveted players heading for the open market on July 1 and looks like a good complement for Dustin Byfuglien, though the expected cost and term required to lock him up probably is going to be too high for the Jets — given how much money they already have invested on defence.

The Montreal Canadiens are one of many teams to express interest in Alzner, who has suited up in every regular season game for the Capitals during the past six seasons.

CONNOR OFFERS ADVICE

Kyle Connor is only two years removed from being a first-round pick of the Jets and he was quick to offer a few words of advice to 2017 selection Kristian Vesalainen.

“I talked to him a bit when I first saw him at the hotel and met each other,” said Connor. “I was out there on a line with him, (doing) some drills. He’s a great player, a big strong boy and he’s going to be a good player for the Jets.”

Jack Roslovic, who also was chosen by the Jets in the first round of the 2015 NHL draft, enjoyed watching Vesalainen get picked on Friday in Chicago.

“I remember those days. At the (Jets) draft party, I was watching it and kind of got chills a couple of times because it brought back good memories,” said Roslovic.

KEHLER NOT CONTENT

One of the invitees to Jets development camp who isn’t a draft pick or free agent signing is goalie Cole Kehler of Altona.

Following two seasons as a backup in the Western Hockey League with the Kamloops Blazers, Kehler spent a season with the Merritt Centennials of the BCHL before joining the Portland Winterhawks last season.

Kehler, who turns 20 in December, won the starting job and appeared in a career-high 56 games with the Winterhawks, posting a record of 32-17-3, with a 3.10 goals-against average and .910 save percentage.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pounder is heading into his final season of junior eligibility and wants to play pro hockey eventually.

“There’s a limited number of 20-year-old spots available, but I really want to be the go-to guy in Portland again. I had a really fun time last year,” said Kehler. “I’m happy to be invited (to development camp), but I’m not content with that, I want to make a statement. I’ve chosen to be a professional hockey player, that’s the route I want to take. I’m here and want to leave a positive statement and good impression on everyone.”

Kehler started playing goalie at a young age, thanks in part to his quick reflexes.

“I can remember in my first year of hockey, it was always who could raise their hand the quickest and I was always first,” said Kehler, when asked how he fell in love with the position. “I don’t know what it was, I think I just kind of had a little bit of a knack for it growing up and I kind of ran with it from there.

“I started working with (Moose goalie coach) Rick St. Croix when I was about eight years old. I went to his camps from eight until about 13 years old, so it’s a neat connection now to see Rick again. He gets to see what I’m like now when I’m all grown up.”

Speaking of goalies, Jets 2017 sixth-rounder Arvid Holm of Sweden was on the ice Tuesday after arriving in Winnipeg following Monday’s session.

SCOUTING SKYLER

Kehler suited up alongside Jets 2017 seventh-rounder Skyler McKenzie this season and provided some praise for his teammate, who put up 42 goals and 84 points in 72 games.

“(The Jets) have got a good player there, that’s for sure,” said Kehler. “He’s relentless on the puck and he can definitely finish. Look at his numbers last year. He’s a fast, skilled forward. He might be small (listed at five-foot-eight, 161 pounds), but he’s got a big heart and a lot of grit to his game.”

kwiebe@postmedia.com