The Winnipeg Jets (35-35-12) were due for regression after winning the Presidents’ Trophy in the 2024-25. Little did fans know that they would regress all the way outside the playoff line in 2025-26.
The team failed to agree on an extension with winger Nikolaj Ehlers, and while he has his issues in durability, he was hard to replace. The Jets didn’t, instead electing to shore up the depth with Jonathan Toews and Gustav Nyquist.
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That didn’t work, and the ineffectiveness of the depth, plus an up-and-down season from Connor Hellebuyck, caused Winnipeg to become sellers at the deadline. They shipped Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn to the Buffalo Sabres, and it might be a very eventful offseason.
Is there a front office shakeup?
The Jets struggles this season felt years in the making. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, despite his seeming lack of accountability for his performance this season, has been the biggest reason the Jets have been a consistent playoff team. With Hellebuyck struggling, the Jets didn’t have the offensive output to counter that.
That falls on the feet of Kevin Cheveldayoff. He’s had some good signings in the past, but the failure to replace Nikolaj Ehlers led to this point.
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Ehlers was a consistent 20-goal, 35-assist winger for Winnipeg, even with durability concerns. He was a consummate first-liner, and with the Carolina Hurricanes signing him, the Jets had a major hole on their roster.
He put bare minimum effort in replacing Ehlers, signing Jonathan Toews (one-year, $2 million) and Gustav Nyquist (one-year, $3.25 million). Toews, who’s 36 years old, had just 11 goals and 18 assists through his 82 games, while Nyquist had just a goal and 11 assists through 51 games.
There are also rough contracts around the roster, with Neil Pionk (six-year, $42 million) and Dylan Samberg (three-year, $17.25 million) signed to bloated contracts last season. With the mediocre product on the ice, it might be time to move on from Cheveldayoff, who’s been the general manager since June 8, 2011.
What is the status on Connor Hellebuyck?
Most of the fans will remember the season for the final comments of star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. “I don’t play this game for the money or the fame,” he said. “I do it because I love it, and part of that is winning a Cup. So for me, it’s about how I can get there.”
The stern comments don’t come off as a trade request, but as a warning. If the Jets have a 2026-27 season like this season, then Hellebuyck might demand a trade request.
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Hellebuyck has led the Jets through thick and thin over the past couple of seasons. He’s earned three Vezina trophies, including winning both the 2024-25 Vezina and Hart trophies.
However the Jets haven’t done enough to insulate their goaltender. Some of that is due to location, but they haven’t signed many marquee free agents in Hellebuyck’s tenure, opting to trade franchise players like Patrik Laine and Jacob Trouba instead. If they don’t act soon, Hellebuyck could be next.
How do the Jets revitalize their second line?
If the Jets want to compete, they will need to create some semblance of a second line. The best three forwards (Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Gabriel Vilardi) notched 264 of the 626 points the Jets had last season. That’s 42% of the Jets’ point production to just three players.
Last season, the Jets had Ehlers, allowing them to put Vilardi on the second line with Cole Perfetti and Adam Lowry. Perfetti earned a career-high in points (50), and Lowry had a career-high in goals (16).
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However, both of those players regressed this season. Lowry went down to just 21 points in 70 games, and Perfetti shrunk to 32 points in 68 games.
The Jets will need a good second-line forward to bring the chemistry back. They could reach for a target in free agency, but Charlie Coyle and Bobby McMann are the only options I’d slot as a top-six forward anywhere. They could also visit the trade market.
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Draft capital is lacking, but the Jets still have their first-round pick and some good prospects in the wings. If they truly wanted another shot with this core, there are definitely some wingers, such as Jordan Kyrou, they could trade for. It could be foolish in hindsight, but the Jets are running out of time.
