General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and the Winnipeg Jets head into the offseason with four restricted free agents, each of which has provided the Jets with reasoning of why they should be re-signed.
The four RFAs include defenseman Dylan Samberg and forwards Gabriel Vilardi, Rasmus Kupari and Morgan Barron. Quickly, the two RFAs that will be prioritized will be Samberg and Vilardi, but who provides more value to the Jets is the question.
Vilardi has become a solid top-line winger, able to shift to centre ice when needed. His efficient scoring and dominance as a net-front presence is a trait the Jets would find difficult to replace. He set a career-high of 27 goals and 61 points in 71 games this season, and 12 of his goals came on the Jets' No.1 power play unit, which led the team.
Vilardi's offensive output is a valued asset, but what Samberg provided the team defensively was game-changing. The Jets outscored their opponents 57-36 at 5-on-5, held an expected goals-for percentage of 54.13% and outshot their opponents 532-427 with Samberg on the ice, according to Natural Stat Trick. Outside of Josh Morrissey, no defensemen on the Jets was more valuable.
When comparing the pair of players straight up, Samberg likely edges out Vilardi when determining who is more valuable to the Jets. Unfortunately, the situation the Jets find themselves in changes things. The Jets will more than likely re-sign both players, but the current status of Nikolaj Ehlers may force the Jets to lean towards locking up Vilardi before conducting business with Samberg.
Losing Ehlers would mean his 24 goals and 63 points would walk out the door for free. The Jets outscored their opponents 38-22, held an expected goals percentage of 55.11% and outshot their opponents 415-351 with Ehlers at 5-on-5, ranking in the top three among Jets forwards to play more than 50 games. While Vilardi's play style would not make up for that loss, his efficiency would at least replace some of the missing goals and points.
The Jets are hoping to not only re-sign all three players but also bring them back on long-term extensions. The decisions of the trio will play a critical role in how the Jets perform next season, and Kyle Connor's decision, who will become a UFA in 2026 and is eligible for an extension on July 1.
Stay updated with the most interesting Jets stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.
"I'd Love To Stay"; Haydn Fleury Hopes To Remain A Jet Despite Log Jam Of Defensemen
Haydn Fleury mentioned during his end-of-season press conference that he'd like to remain a Winnipeg Jet despite the log jam of defensemen the Jets currently employ.
Adam Lowry Hoping To Be A "Jet For Life"
Winnipeg Jets forward Adam Lowry becomes eligible for a contract extension on July 1, and is hoping to get a deal done in order to be a "Jet for life."