Winnipeg’s plummet to 26th reflects growing frustration over failed signings and trade rumors, leaving Kevin Cheveldayoff under pressure to stabilize the core and restore championship expectations.
On Thursday, The Athletic's Dom Luszczyszyn released his annual survey grading the confidence NHL fans have in each team's front office.
Some results were predictable, with the Carolina Hurricanes topping the list after their Stanley Cup win, while the Detroit Red Wings landed all the way down at 30th after missing the playoffs for a tenth straight season and firing longtime general manager Steve Yzerman this offseason.
The Winnipeg Jets, meanwhile, are dealing with a steep fall of their own. A year ago, Winnipeg sat at 12th on the list, coming off a Presidents' Trophy-winning season. This time around, after a run of free-agent signings that didn't pan out, a thin prospect pool and a season that ended without a playoff berth, the Jets tumbled outside the top 25 entirely, landing at 26th overall.
There's still plenty of time for that to change as Winnipeg's core remains locked up long term, with Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Josh Morrissey and Connor Hellebuyck all under contract for years to come.
But the constant trade speculation surrounding Hellebuyck in particular appears to be wearing on fan confidence, raising real questions about whether general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff can navigate the organization through a rough 12 to 14 months and get the Jets back on track as legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.
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