New Additions: F Jonathan Toews (1yr x $2M), F Tanner Pearson (1yr x $1M), F Cole Koepke (1yr x $1M), F Phil Di Giuseppe (1yr x $775k), F Gustav Nyquist (1yr x $3.25M)

Subtractions: F Nikolaj Ehlers (to CAR), F Mason Appleton (to DET), F Brandon Tanev (to UTA), F Dominic Toninato (to CHI), D Dylan Coghlan (to VGK)

Retentions/Extensions: D Haydn Fleury (2yr x $950k AAV), F Mason Shaw (1yr x $775k), F Morgan Barron (2yr x $1.85M AAV), F Gabriel Vilardi (6yr x $7.5M AAV), D Dylan Samberg (3yr $5.75M AAV)

The Winnipeg Jets were the best team in the NHL during the regular season in 2024-25, winning the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time in franchise history. Following up a 110 point campaign the year prior, the Jets have established themselves as one of the best teams in the league from October to April. The playoffs are where they run into problems, not all internal, as they are tasked with making it out of the grueling Central Division. This year they were able to get past the first round defeating the St. Louis Blues in an entertaining seven games, especially the deciding game where the Jets came back and forced overtime with under three seconds left. In the second round, they were taken out by the Dallas Stars in six games, begging the question, do they have enough talent to keep up with the top contenders?

Connor Hellebuyck was phenomenal in the regular season, not only taking home his third Vezina Trophy in the past six seasons, but also being the first goalie to win the Hart Trophy since Carey Price in 2015. The American netminder went 47-12-3, with a .925 SV% and 2.00 GAA, improving his numbers from 2023-24 and winning back to back Vezina’s. It is safe to say Hellebuyck is the best goalie in the NHL, but recently he has struggled in the playoffs, as in the Jets last three playoff appearances, his numbers have dropped significantly, posting a sub .890 SV% and above 3.00 GAA. Other legendary goalies have historically elevated their game in the postseason, sometimes putting the team on their back. For the sake of his legacy, he needs to have a great run like many of the other all-time greats have had. Eric Comrie is a solid backup goalie, and the team may give him more starts to keep Hellebuyck as fresh as possible for the playoffs.

When your best player is a goalie, it can tend to overshadow and underrate the other players on the team. Make no mistake, the Jets were not dragged to the top seed by Hellebuyck. Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele are undoubtedly the two best forwards on the team, and the duo both set career highs in points last year. Scheifele does not get enough credit for his elite production, he had 39 goals and 87 points this season, scoring above a point per game for the seventh time in his career. Connor had the second 40+ goal season of his career, but his all around game was excellent, leading the team with 97 points. Winnipeg does not attract many high profile players, and has to rely heavily on the players they draft and develop. Kyle, the 17th overall pick in 2015, is on an expiring deal this season, and the team cannot afford to lose him, especially after Nikolaj Ehlers walked in free agency this offseason. The number one priority for the Jets front office this season will be locking up their leading scorer.

Another homegrown talent is Josh Morrissey, who the team took in the first round in 2013 (13th overall). Morrissey was not a full time NHL player until 2016-17 taking some time to develop. After 20-40 points in his first six seasons, it seemed like that was the type of production to expect from him, but his development took another leap forward a few years ago, going from 37 points in 2021-22, to 76 points the following year. He has had 60+ points now for three straight seasons and blossomed into a true number one defenceman. The nickname ‘Josh Norrissey’ was birthed during his breakout 76 point campaign, and he could certainly challenge for the award as he has produced among the league’s top defencemen for a few seasons now.

No player is more ‘homegrown’ than the team’s biggest addition of the offseason, Winnipeg native Jonathan Toews. Captain Serious was one of the most notable players in the entire NHL during the 2010s, winning three Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks, and two gold medals as a member of Team Canada at the Olympics. It seemed like there was a chance Toews was done with professional hockey, as he has not played since the 2022-23 season, stepping away for personal reasons. But the 37 year old is making a comeback, with the team he grew up cheering for as a young child (they moved to Phoenix when Toews was 8 years old). Fans are cautiously optimistic for what to expect from him, but at the very least I think he will be able to provide some depth scoring and stability at center.

Even at 37, way past his prime, Toews might be the highest profile player to ever sign with the Jets in free agency. Instead of the top UFAs each summer, Winnipeg has to settle for players like Gustav Nyquist, Tanner Pearson, and Cole Koepke, the team’s other free agent signings this offseason. The team has a surplus of these ‘third line’ scoring forwards, as they join a group featuring Nino Niederreiter, Vladislav Namestikov, Alex Iaffalo, and captain Adam Lowry. Individually they are nothing special, but as a collective they provide the team with solid depth that gives you a little bit of everything.

Other notable forwards include Gabriel Vilardi, Cole Perfetti and Nikita Chibrikov. Vilardi came over as a piece in the Dubois trade and immediately replicated his production, playing in the top six and on the top powerplay unit at times. He enjoyed a 61 point season in 71 games last season, and earned himself a nice extension (6yr x $7.5M AAV). Unfortunately Perfetti will start the upcoming season in the press box, suffering an injury leading up to the start of the year. He had 50 points last season, and scored one of the most memorable goals in franchise history, tying game seven against the Blues, leading to the overtime victory. He was set to smash that 50 point total this year, and hopefully his injury does not prevent him from doing so. In his absence, there will be more opportunities for guys like Nikita Chibrikov, a 22 year old looking to become a full timer. Chibrikov has had a few games in the league, getting called up from the AHL and in 5 games he has 3 goals and an assist.

Neal Pionk is a serviceable number two defenceman, and when called upon, can play like a number one (like he had to when Morrissey missed time in the playoffs). He is good for 30-40 points every season, and plays in every situation; even strength, on the powerplay, and penalty kill too. Dylan DeMelo plays on the top pair and serves as the more ‘stay at home’ style D man which allows Morrissey to play his game. Dylan Samberg was emerging as a legit top four defenceman but sadly broke his wrist and will miss 1-2 months to begin the year. The rest of the D corps including Haydn Fleury, Luke Schenn and Logan Stanley will all have to step up.

Until proven otherwise, the Jets are an elite team in the regular season, and should be one of few teams competing for the Presidents’ Trophy at the end of the year. I am excited to see Toews back in the NHL, and I hope he can actually be a solid 2/3C. Like I mentioned briefly, I think Comrie should start upwards of 30 games this season if they can afford it. Hellebuyck has proven everything in the regular season, and the team needs him playing his best hockey in the postseason if they want to make a deep run. Scheifele, Connor and Morrissey provide the high end talent, and they have solid depth scoring, if they can get Vezina Hellebuyck in the playoffs, this team has the ability to win the Stanley Cup.