Insider reports indicate the Jets are in better spot with Kyle Connor than previously with Nikolaj Ehlers

One of the pending stories going into the next season for the Winnipeg Jets will be around homegrown superstar Kyle Connor. Entering the final year of his seven-year deal with a $7.14 million cap hit, he looks to get a much deserved raise as Connor is coming off a career-best year with 41 goals and 56 assists for 97 points through 82 games.

His new contract will likely be in the neighborhood of $11-12 million per season which the Jets, as of right now, don't have room for with just $10.5 million in available cap.

Winnipeg captain Adam Lowry will also be due for a new contract next season. The salary cap is expected to go up in the near future but re-signing two impact players when you barely have enough room for one of them looks like it may present a challenge for Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff.

This begs the question of what will be the franchise's next move with Connor? Will they try to re-sign him or when realizing he will walk at the end of the season similar to Nikolaj Ehlers, will they opt to trade him?

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As a Michigan native, Connor's ties to the Detroit Red Wings have been a constant news story and gives fans the belief that they will once again go through losing an impact player like they just did with Ehlers. 

However, recent insider reports are starting to steer the conversation in the way of the Jets with The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta indicating talks with Connor are already further along than they were with Ehlers at this point last offseason. 

NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) on X David Pagnotta: Re Kyle Connor extension: I haven't heard of anything in terms of being a problem; Ehlers...people knew about a year out he was pretty much going to test the market; haven't gotten that sense at all...with respect to Kyle Connor - Melnick in the Afternoon (7/21)

This is great news for Winnipeg as they will be looking to stay competitive with the core that they have. When tightening up against the cap and giving new deals to Lowry and Connor, this may also give the Jets an opportunity to try out more young players in meaningful roles. 

We've seen this work in the past as Edmonton will be tied up with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl's contracts, meaning they will be forced to look at cheap or internal options. The Oilers are doing this with prospect Isaac Howard, who is expected to play on the team's top line with McDavid and Zach Hyman. 

While the Jets look to trim off some extra cap and stay competitive, this could mean bigger roles for Manitoba Moose players like Brad Lambert, Nikita Chibrikov and many others.

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