The Winnipeg Jets begin their 2024-25 campaign with a preseason opener versus the Minnesota Wild on Saturday
The Winnipeg Jets kick off their preseason Saturday with an early matchup against a divisional rival in the Minnesota Wild. Winnipeg has had a tough time finding their footing after training camp lately, managing only two wins in their last six preseason openers.
However, their matchups against Minnesota have often been thrilling, with the Jets holding a 5-5-2 record in their last 12 preseason matchups. This will be the Jets' fifth preseason opener against the Wild in the last decade, where they have no regulation losses and a record of 2-0-2.
They will have a handful of players warmed up for this game as they are coming off an impressive showing in the 11th annual Young Stars Classic, a tournament held by the Vancouver Canucks featuring all western Canadian hockey teams and their most high-end prospects. The Jets secured a 2-1 record with wins over Oilers and Flames but losing to the hosting Canucks.
Forward Nikita Chibrikov led the way for the Jets with a pair of goals and an assist for a team-best three points in as many games. Other standout offensive performances came from recent fourth-round picks Kevin He and Henri Nikkanen, as well as Manitoba Moose top scorer Brad Lambert, who each recorded two points in the three exhibition games.
Heading into the preseason, Jets fans will find the most intriguing storylines between the pipes, with much speculation around who will get the job behind Hellebuyck this season. We should expect a thrilling position battle between newcomer Kaapo Kahkonen, returning Jet Eric Comrie and high-end prospect Thomas Milic.
Milic is one of the most highly-touted goalie prospects in the sport and will backup Kahkonen in the preseason opener versus Minnesota. He is coming off a stellar season, where he finished with a 19-9-2 record and a 2.72 goals against average with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. The BC native returned in the Young Stars Classic and didn't skip a beat with a 1.46 goals against average and a .940 save percentage in 123 minutes played across two games.
On the blueline, Jets prospect in blueliner Ville Heinola was expected to contend for a bottom pairing role but will be sidelined due to an infection on his recent surgically-repaired ankle. It certainly lessens the competition for the bottom pairing role but still expect a conceded effort from former seventh overall pick, Haydn Fleury and recent free agent signing Dylan Anhorn.
Click here if you want to check out more expanded storylines on the Jets training camp roster.