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Winnipeg Jets - Aug. 8 2025 - Vol. 79 Issue 01 - Jared Clinton
PREDICTION | 3RD IN CENTRAL
NOT ENOUGH CAN BE said about the importance of Cole Perfetti’s unforgettable Game 7 goal. If the Jets had flamed out in seven games to the St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg would have been seen as the latest in a long line of Presidents’ Trophy choke artists, and Connor Hellebuyck’s chaotic playoff performance would still be under the microscope.
Instead, Perfetti’s last-gasp tally – which allowed Adam Lowry to later net the overtime-winner – sees the Jets enter the campaign with a level of optimism. That Hellebuyck bounced back in the second round no doubt lifts the mood, too, as does the fact Winnipeg was one goal away from taking the Dallas Stars to a winner-takes-all affair. But the headline entering the campaign is Jonathan Toews’ NHL return with his hometown Jets. Toews brings championship pedigree to a team still learning what it takes to find that next gear in the post-season.
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Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor has been named to the NHL Network's annual Top-20 list.
OFFENSE
As ever, the onus is on Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor to carry the attack. The top-line duo combined for 80 goals last season and rank a respective 25th and 13th in goal output the past four seasons. Despite lacking name value, the Jets had among the deepest attacks, tying for tops in the NHL with eight forwards with 15-or-more goals. The wild card, of course, is Toews. He scored at a 23-goal pace during his most recent campaign, but that was 2022-23. How will the ravages of time impact his effectiveness? The Jets would be thrilled if the 37-year-old is a half-point-per-game contributor. That’s especially true given they will need Lowry’s production replaced. The captain is expected to be sidelined through October, if not longer.
DEFENSE
Winnipeg thrived last season defending as a five-man unit, finishing as a top-10 outfit when it came to limiting scoring and high-danger chances against at 5-on-5. The commitment to team defense is especially important given the back end doesn’t have an all-star caliber defender outside of Josh Morrissey. But could Dylan Samberg elevate further and solidify the back end? In his third full NHL season, Samberg cemented himself as a top-four rearguard and logged tough minutes. There were 62 defensive pairings to play at least 500 minutes together at 5-on-5 last season, and Samberg alongside partner Neal Pionk ranked fifth, with a 57.3 expected goals percentage.
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Winnipeg Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey has been named to the NHL Network's annual Top-20 list.
GOALTENDING
Does the Game 7 victory and second-round performance erase all doubt about Hellebuyck? Maybe not. But there is no goaltender who has proven himself to be better or more consistent than Hellebuyck across an 82-game season. His partnership with Eric Comrie – who was long a favorite of Jets’ brass before his breakthrough – has proven especially fruitful, too. Between Hellebuyck and Comrie, the crease is the Jets’ greatest strength.
SPECIAL TEAMS
To note the middling penalty kill was an improvement over the campaign prior is to damn it with faint praise, and it was hardly surprising that Winnipeg’s performance shorthanded played a role in its playoff demise. That the power play began firing blanks in the post-season, however, was unexpected. The PP led the league during the season and accounted for nearly 23 percent of their total offense. Being able to trot out the same unit – while adding Toews to the mix – should see that trend continue.
INTANGIBLES
Perfetti’s now-iconic goal was the continuation of a trend throughout the 2024-25 campaign, as Winnipeg scored 10 goals last season with the extra attacker and five goals in the final 90 seconds to either tie or win contests. It’s impossible to teach the never-say-die attitude that permeates through the dressing room.
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ROOKIES
Brad Lambert and Nikita Chibrikov suffered through offensive regressions in the AHL, but the growth of their all-around games is of greatest importance to the Jets. Expect one or both to fight for bottom- or perhaps even middle-six minutes. Keep an eye, too, on Elias Salomonsson. The smooth-skating ‘D’ will force Winnipeg into a tough roster decision if he performs well in the pre-season.
X-FACTOR
Toews’ performance can have great bearing on their fate, but what defines the Jets’ ability to again fight for top spot in the Western Conference may be how Perfetti builds on an excellent playoff. He was one of the Jets’ best performers in the post-season. If that continues, it’s a boon to the entire lineup.
THE BRASS
Winnipeg’s continued presence as one of the NHL’s least-desirable destinations makes GM Kevin Cheveldayoff’s work all the more difficult. Despite the perception of the city, though, Cheveldayoff has done well to persuade players to stick around long term after they’ve arrived.
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2024-25 NUMBERS
RECORD
56-22-4 (.707)
OVERTIME
11-3
SHOOTOUT
2-1
OVERALL
1st
OFFENSE
3.35 GPG (4th)
DEFENSE
2.32 GAA (1st)
POWER PLAY
28.9% (1st)
PENALTY KILL
79.4% (13th)
EXPECTED GF/60
2.56 (13th)
EXPECTED GA/60
2.33 (7th)
ICE TIME LEAD (F)
M. Scheifele (20:26)
ICE TIME LEAD (D)
J. Morrissey (24:23)
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Winnipeg Jets winger Cole Perfetti has the makings to produce a breakout season with new line additions and more minutes expected.
Fast FACTS
COACH
Scott Arniel
GM
Kevin Cheveldayoff
CAPTAIN
Adam Lowry
ARENA
Canada Life Centre
CAPACITY
15,225
AHL AFFILIATE
Manitoba Moose
ECHL AFFILIATE
Norfolk Admirals
Cup ODDS
14/1
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Future WATCH
TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. Brayden Yager
Pos C Age 20
2024-25 Lethbridge (WHL)
Goal-scorer’s ability to find open ice, settle in and unload a heavy shot. Captained Canada at WJC.
Expected NHL Arrival ’26-27
2. Sascha Boumedienne
Pos D Age 18
2024-25 Boston Univ. (HE)
At his best when playing in transition. Concern comes, though, when he’s pinned in his own zone.
Expected NHL Arrival ’28-29
3. Brad Lambert
Pos C Age 21
2024-25 Manitoba (AHL)
No worries about sputtering offense in AHL last season. Rounding out his game is a big positive.
Expected NHL Arrival ’25-26
4. Nikita Chibrikov
Pos RW Age 22
2024-25 Manitoba (AHL)
A pest on the forecheck and has boundless energy. Projects as checking-line winger with upside.
Expected NHL Arrival ’26-27
5. Colby Barlow
Pos LW Age 20
2024-25 Oshawa (OHL)
Big-league shot stands out, and fiery competitor never takes a shift off. Skating is biggest hurdle.
Expected NHL Arrival ’26-27
6. Elias Salomonsson
Pos D Age 21
2024-25 Manitoba (AHL)
Graceful skater can turn defense into offense in a heartbeat. His shot is an underrated asset.
Expected NHL Arrival ’27-28
7. Alfons Freij
Pos D Age 19
2024-25 Bjorkloven (Swe.2)
Strong first pass and joins the rush with ease. Playing in Sweden’s top tier will aid development.
Expected NHL Arrival ’28-29
8. Owen Martin
Pos C Age 18
2024-25 Spokane (WHL)
Positionally sound pivot relies on will over skill. Projects as bottom-six contributor long term.
Expected NHL Arrival ’30-31
9. Kevin He
Pos LW Age 19
2024-25 Niagara (OHL)
Never quits on a play. Will be first in on forecheck and battle in corners. Does small things well.
Expected NHL Arrival ’28-29
10. Kieron Walton
Pos C Age 19
2024-25 Sudbury (OHL)
At 6-foot-6, he blends massive frame with playmaker’s skill. Has to build on great OHL campaign.
Expected NHL Arrival ’29-30