Winnipeg Jets 2025-26 Season Preview

Kyle Connor skating for the Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets enter the 2025-26 season with the weight of expectations completely on their shoulders.

After winning the Presidents’ Trophy last season with 116 points and dominating stretches of regular-season play, the Jets’ year ended abruptly in the conference semifinals at the hands of the Dallas Stars.

That sting has lingered all summer, and the question hanging over this roster is simple: was last year the peak, or is the Stanley Cup window still open?

This year brings roster turnover, returning players, youth pushing at the door, and another loaded schedule at Canada Life Centre (CLC).

Goaltending Questions

Connor Hellebuyck remains the rock of this franchise, but his workload has become a storyline. The Jets will need to decide whether he shoulders another 60+ game season or if they trust their depth to provide relief.

Eric Comrie must play at least 10 more games to remain a reliable option.
If not, the youth wave, Thomas Milic, Domenic DiVincentiis, or Isaac Poulter may be pressed into NHL action earlier than expected.

The balance between riding Hellebuyck and grooming a future No. 1 could shape not only this season, but the franchise’s long-term outlook.

Roster Turnover

Additions: Jonathan Toews, Gustav Nyquist, Tanner Pearson, Mason Shaw, Cole Koepke, Phillip Di Giuseppe, Gustav Nyquist, Isaac Poulter, Walker Duehr, Samuel Fagemo and Kale Clague.

Departures: Nikolaj Ehlers, Brandon Tanev, Dominic Toninato, Chris Driedger, Rasmus Kupari, Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, Mason Appleton and Simon Lundmark.

The most dramatic storyline of the summer and the Jets’ 2025-26 season is the return of Jonathan Toews. He signed a one-year deal to close out his career with his hometown club. He may be past his prime, but his leadership and pedigree could be invaluable for a team still searching for its first Stanley Cup.

Ehlers’ departure is a blow to the top-six. In his place, Winnipeg is banking on Nyquist to provide steady production and a younger prospect like Nikita Chibrikov to step up into a meaningful role.

Players to Watch

Gustav Nyquist is a veteran winger who could steady the offence in Ehlers’ absence. Nyquist is also just two seasons removed from a career-high 75-point (23G, 52A) season with the Nashville Predators. The Jets will certainly be banking on him to find even a sliver of that form in his 2025-26 campaign.

Jonathan Toews is the emotional story of the season. His health and production will dictate just how big his role becomes with the Jets in the 2025-26 season. His history of being captain of Stanley Cup-winning teams is incredibly valuable to the Jets as they look for their first Stanley Cup.

Haydn Fleury, a depth defender who’s looking to prove he can lock down a permanent spot. Fleury originally signed in the 2024 offseason as a potential fit to replace Kyle Capobianco’s role with the Manitoba Moose, but Fleury evolved into a bigger role in Winnipeg. He stepped up at crucial times, including game seven of the Jets’ double overtime game when Josh Morrissey exited the game with an injury. Fleury will prove to do that and more as he aims to earn a bigger role this season.

Potential Surprises

Nikita Chibrikov has the skill to break through and become an NHL regular; he’s just at the stage in his career where he’s trying to push through and become that NHL regular.

Parker Ford proved himself to be a solid NHL addition, even in the short stint he had with the Winnipeg Jets near the end of the 2024-25 season. Ford made his NHL debut against the Boston Bruins and even picked up his first career NHL goal. Like Chibrikov, Ford is at the stage in his career where he’s trying to push through and become that NHL regular.

Cole Koepke was a pickup that surprised many. He’s a great depth forward with the tools to exceed expectations, but he’s got to earn his runway with the Jets if he wants to flourish. He posted 17 points (10G, 7A) in 73 games, all of which are career highs for him, in his 2024-25 stint with the Boston Bruins. The Jets added sneaky value with Koepke as he could easily build on his strong 2024-25 season.

Bounce Back Candidates

Jonathan Toews is the first obvious bounce-back candidate as he hasn’t suited up for an NHL game in over two years. His season with the Winnipeg Jets could be a great send-off for the three-time Stanley Cup champion and longtime captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, or it could be an unfortunate disaster.

Gustav Nyquist was mentioned earlier for being just two seasons removed from a 75-point season. He’s got the tools to slot in well in the Jets’ top-nine, but he and many other players have to earn their ice time if they want to appear regularly in certain roles for the Winnipeg Jets in 2025-26.

Storylines to Follow

Cup Window Pressure: Is this the year Winnipeg finally breaks through? After last year’s Presidents’ Trophy, anything less than a deep playoff run will feel like a step backward.
Leadership & Legacy: Toews’ return to Winnipeg adds a unique layer to the season. Is this a farewell tour, or can he still elevate a contender?
Youth Movement: Prospects like Nikita Chibrikov, Thomas Milic, Domenic DiVincentiis, Brayden Yager, and Elias Salomonsson are knocking. Who will break through first?

Players Requiring New Contracts Post-2025-26

This offseason presents crucial contract decisions for several core Jets players and a top prospect. Here’s a breakdown of the four most notable players due for new contracts, their current status, what lies ahead, and why each matters.

Kyle Connor (UFA)

Kyle Connor is entering the final year of his seven-year, $50 million contract worth roughly $7.14 million annually. As an unrestricted free agent (UFA) at the end of the year, Connor will be surrounded by questions regarding his status in Winnipeg and commitment to stay.

Discussions have yet to pick up, but there is mutual interest. It is worth noting that Connor’s camp is not in a rush to get a contract extension done, but rather is setting the stage to take time and evaluate all potential options.

Regardless of where he plays beyond the 2025-26 season, Kyle Connor will be an eight-figure player, with AFP Analytics projecting an eight-year extension at around $12 million per season, and potentially more to keep him in Winnipeg if he wants to test the open market.

Similar to Ehlers, Connor’s contract situation could be a distraction in the 2025-26 season. He’s a foundational offensive contributor with Winnipeg. Locking him down or risking his departure significantly impacts the roster’s future balance and competitiveness.

Adam Lowry (UFA)

Adam Lowry is in the final season of his five-year, $16.25 million contract worth $3.25 million annually. The Jets’ captain brings physicality and leadership to the team, and a new deal would solidify Lowry’s career in Winnipeg since draft day back in 2011.

He underwent successful hip surgery during the offseason, but the Jets’ social media accounts posted that Lowry is skating and getting work in. It is expected that his timeline is still the same, missing the start of the 2025-26 regular season and targeting a November return.

Cole Perfetti (RFA)

Cole Perfetti is in the final year of a two-year, $6.5 million extension worth $3.25 million annually. He’s set to be a restricted free agent (RFA) with arbitration rights. He was a strong breakout candidate for the Jets in the 2024-25 season, and his postseason contributions made it all the more reasonable that Perfetti should be locked up long term.

Perfetti is a young, high-potential forward, and getting him locked up long term not only commits to younger players on the team but also defines the investment the club has in their emerging stars like Perfetti.

With a potential to have a stronger deployment in 2025-26 with Ehlers’ departure, Perfetti could break his career high numbers yet again and flourish in a bigger role.

Nikita Chibrikov (RFA)

Nikita Chibrikov is in the final year of his three-year entry-level contract worth $875,833 annually. He is set to become an RFA without arbitration rights. Chibrikov is a top candidate to earn NHL ice time this season, and his development has translated well to how he’s played in his first few NHL games.

Unless Chibrikov shoots out of the gate to start the season, he’ll be expected to start with the Moose or find himself in a 13th or 14th forward role with Winnipeg. While the contract negotiations won’t be a big storyline in the offseason, the way that it gets handled will show the team’s commitment to key young pieces of the Jets’ future.

Coaching & Systems

Former head coach Rick Bowness implemented strong defensive systems, and his successor, Scott Arniel, continued those systems and strengthened them. The question lies for the Winnipeg Jets: will they push for a more offensive free game, or will they continue to rely on the systems that have earned them back-to-back Jennings trophies for their goaltender?

Defensive Structure: Still a strength, but is it flexible enough for a deep playoff run? Are the Jets not aggressive enough in the playoffs?
Special Teams: Losing Ehlers certainly hurts the top power-play unit, but could Nyquist or a younger forward be the key to filling the gap?

There are certainly lots of questions surrounding how the systems will remain in the 2025-26 season, and how they will implement new players into already strong systems is a key storyline throughout the entire season.

Projected Line Combinations & Depth Chart

My projected 2025-26 starting lineup can be tweaked positionally, but there are a lot of what-ifs when it comes to who plays where and how much they play. My projected line combinations will also include the Manitoba Moose and the talent available down there.

Winnipeg Jets

Kyle Connor – Mark Scheifele – Gabriel Vilardi
Cole Perfetti – Vladislav Namestnikov – Gustav Nyquist
Morgan Barron – Adam Lowry – Nino Niederreiter
Alex Iafallo – Jonathan Toews – Tanner Pearson
Cole Koepke – David Gustafsson

Josh Morrissey – Dylan DeMelo
Dylan Samberg – Neal Pionk
Haydn Fleury – Luke Schenn
Logan Stanley – Colin Miller
Ville Heinola

Connor Hellebuyck
Eric Comrie

Manitoba Moose

Colby Barlow – Jaret Anderson-Dolan – Nikita Chibrikov
Mason Shaw – Brad Lambert – Brayden Yager
Phillip Di Giuseppe – Jacob Julien – Parker Ford
Danny Zhilkin – Tyson Empey – Walker Duehr
Kevin Conley – Reece Vitelli – Chase Yoder
Samuel Fagemo – Fabian Wagner – Jaydon Dureau

Ashton Sautner – Elias Salomonsson
Dylan Anhorn – Kale Clague
Dawson Barteaux – Isaak Phillips
Ben Zloty – Tyrel Bauer
Ethan Frisch – Graham Sward

Domenic DiVincentiis
Thomas Milic
Isaac Poulter
Alex Worthington

Prospect & Call-Up Watch

The Jets’ prospect pool is one of the more intriguing in the NHL, with many players primed for NHL icetime.

Forwards: Nikita Chibrikov, Brad Lambert, Brayden Yager, Colby Barlow & Parker Ford
Defence: Elias Salomonsson
Goaltenders: Thomas Milic & Domenic DiVincentiis

One of the biggest keys to the Jets’ success is the Manitoba Moose’s pipeline playing a major role when called upon.

2024-25 By the Numbers

Looking back at the 2024-25 season, it’s clear that there’s no major room for improvement, but there can be a step taken back by the Winnipeg Jets in 2025-26.

Presidents’ Trophy Winners: 116 points (56 wins, 22 losses, 4 OTL)
Home Record: 30 wins, 7 losses, 4 OTL
Road Record: 26 wins, 15 losses, 0 OTL
Longest Winning Streak: 11 games (Jan. 22 to Feb. 26)
Longest Losing Streak: 4 games (Nov. 27 to Dec. 3)
Playoffs: Lost in the conference semifinals to Dallas

Statistical Goals & Benchmarks

Some strong benchmarks for the Jets include general targets, team targets, individual targets, and situational targets.

Team-Wide Targets

Win total/points pace: Aim for 100+ points to solidify playoff contention, aim for 110+ points to contend for the Central Division win.
Goals for per game: aim to be top 12 in scoring depth
Goals against per game: remain in the top five defensively with Hellebuyck in net

Special teams:

Power play to stay top 10 in the NHL
Penalty kill target 82%+

Individual Player

Kyle Connor: 40+ goals and 80+ points
Mark Scheifele: maintain point-per-game pace and hold up defensively
Cole Perfetti: Target 55 points and play 70+ games
Adam Lowry: 15 goals, win 55%+ faceoffs, keep PK strong
Josh Morrissey: 60+ points, anchor Jets’ blueline, top-10 in Norris voting again
Connor Hellebuyck: Keep save % above .915 or higher, push for Vezina contention

Situational Goals

The Jets have a lot of benchmarks to fill, and there’s work to be done to close out these goals.

Close games: Improve record in one-goal games ahead of the postseason
Home record: Target 25+ home wins
Central Division: Finish top two in the division to avoid the Wild Card race
Back-to-back games: Secure a winning record in back-to-backs by relying on depth
Starts & finishes: Target a strong winning record in game-heavy months to avoid playoff races. Aim for a strong winning record post-trade deadline to build momentum heading into the playoffs.
Against division rivals: post a winning record vs Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota, and St. Louis for a crucial edge in the Central Division standings
Road success: Push for significant success, especially on trips where Winnipeg traditionally struggles.

Potential Sellouts

Oct 9 vs Dallas: Home opener & 2025 Conference Semifinals Rematch
Oct 30 vs Chicago: Halloween game & Connor Bedard to CLC
Nov 1 vs Pittsburgh: Sidney Crosby’s annual appearance at CLC
Nov 21 vs Carolina: Nikolaj Ehlers’ return to CLC
Dec 11 vs Boston: Jets/Bruins rivalry renewed
Jan 6 vs Vegas: Golden Knights come to CLC
Jan 8 vs Edmonton: McDavid & the Oilers come to CLC
Jan 17 vs Toronto: Maple Leafs & fans takeover CLC
April 16 vs San Jose: Fan Appreciation

Key Dates on the 2025-26 Schedule

Oct 9 vs Dallas: 2025 Conference Semifinals Rematch
Oct 26 vs Utah: Utah’s first game as the Mammoth at CLC & Brandon Tanev returns
Oct 30 vs Chicago: Connor Bedard comes to CLC
Nov 1 vs Pittsburgh: Sidney Crosby’s seasonal CLC appearance
Nov 21 vs Carolina: Nikolaj Ehlers returns to CLC
Dec 29 & Jan 8th vs Edmonton: McDavid, Draisaitl & the Oilers at CLC
Jan 17 vs Toronto: Toronto takes over CLC
Jan 20 vs St. Louis: Manitoba Miracle rematch
Jan 22 vs Florida: Paul Maurice & the defending cup champs back at CLC
Jan 24 vs Detroit: Mason Appleton returns to CLC
April 16 vs San Jose: Season finale

Schedule Highlights Beyond Key Dates

Back-to-Backs

The Winnipeg Jets have nine sets of back-to-back games in the 2025-26 season. They play three back-to-backs at home, four back-to-backs on the road, and two back-to-backs split between home and road games.

Back-to-back schedule:

Oct 23 & 24: home vs Seattle, then Calgary
Nov 28 & 29: away at Carolina, then Nashville
Dec 5 & 6: home vs Buffalo, then away at Edmonton
Dec 31 & Jan 1: away at Detroit, then Toronto
Jan 8 & 9: home vs Edmonton, then Los Angeles
Jan 19 & 20: away at Chicago, then home vs St. Louis
March 14 & 15: home vs Colorado, then vs St. Louis
March 21 & 22: away at Pittsburgh, then at New York Rangers
Apr 13 & 14: away at Vegas, then at Utah

Longest Home Stretch

The Jets’ longest home stretch of the 2025-26 season is in March. They play eight consecutive games against Chicago, Tampa Bay, Vancouver, Anaheim, the New York Rangers, Colorado, St. Louis, and Nashville.

This stretch in March begins on the 3rd and ends on the 17th. It includes games against key Central Division opponents, giving the team a chance to bolster playoff positioning and ramp up momentum, while leaning on home-ice energy late in the season.

Longest Road Trip

The Jets’ longest road stretch of the 2025-26 season is early on, when the Jets hit the road for a six-game road trip from November 4th to the 15th. This road trip covers matchups in Los Angeles, San Jose, Anaheim, Vancouver, Seattle, and Calgary.

This Pacific road trip tests the team’s endurance on long road trips and challenges across multiple time zones and playing styles. The Jets will also be tested on this crucial road trip, as they couldn’t gain any momentum on the road in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Division Clashes

The Jets face Central Division rivals on 26 occasions; their schedule is broken down in the following:

Four games each against Chicago, Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota, and St. Louis
Three games each against Nashville and Utah

These games are crucial when breaking down seeding, tiebreakers, and the intensity of division rival clashes.

Divisional opponents schedule:

Oct 9 vs Dallas
Oct 18 vs Nashville
Oct 26 vs Utah
Oct 28 at Minnesota
Oct 30 vs Chicago
Nov 23 vs Minnesota
Nov 29 at Nashville
Dec 9 vs Dallas
Dec 17 at St. Louis
Dec 19 at Colorado
Dec 21 at Utah
Dec 27 vs Minnesota
Jan 15 at Minnesota
Jan 19 at Chicago
Jan 20 vs St. Louis
Feb 2 at Dallas
March 3 vs Chicago
March 14 vs Colorado
March 15 vs St. Louis
March 17 vs Nashville
March 26 vs Colorado
March 28 at Colorado
March 31 at Chicago
Apr 2 at Dallas
Apr 9 at St. Louis
Apr 14 at Utah

Sep 21 vs Minnesota (preseason): Season ticket member appreciation game
Oct 9 vs Dallas: Home opener
Oct 11 vs Los Angeles: Opening weekend celebration
Oct 19 vs Nashville: Child advocacy night
Oct 24 vs Calgary: 90s night
Oct 30 vs Chicago: Halloween game
Nov 1 vs Pittsburgh: Pride game
Nov 18 vs Columbus: Filipino heritage night
Nov 23 vs Minnesota: Hockey fights cancer
Dec 5 vs Buffalo: South Asian heritage night
Dec 15 vs Ottawa: Holiday game
Jan 6 vs Vegas: Ukrainian heritage night
Jan 9 vs Los Angeles: Apres ski night
Jan 13 vs Islanders: Canadian Armed Forces appreciation night
Jan 17 vs Toronto: Hockey Talks night
Jan 24 vs Detroit: WASAC night
March 3 vs Chicago: Black History Night
March 5 vs Tampa Bay: Celebrating women in sport
March 7 vs Vancouver: Country night
March 14 vs Colorado: Hoser night
March 17 vs Nashville: St. Patrick’s Day
March 26 vs Colorado: Jersey off our backs
April 11 vs Philadelphia: Parkinson’s awareness night
April 16 vs San Jose: Fan appreciation

Heritage Jersey Schedule

Oct 23 vs Seattle
Oct 24 vs Calgary
Oct 26 vs Utah
Dec 9 vs Dallas
Dec 11 vs Boston
Dec 13 vs Washington
Dec 15 vs Ottawa
Jan 22 vs Florida
Jan 24 vs Detroit
March 12 vs Rangers
March 14 vs Colorado
March 15 vs St. Louis
March 17 vs Nashville

Final Thoughts

The Winnipeg Jets are coming off a franchise-best season, winning the 2025 Presidents’ Trophy as the best team of the 2024-25 season.

The team was also recognized as the best defensively for a second consecutive season, earning their goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck, the 2025 Jennings Trophy for the second time in as many seasons. Hellebuyck also took home a second consecutive Vezina Trophy and won the Hart Trophy as the league’s MVP.

If the Jets want to remain consistent and maximize their performance in the 2025-26 season, they must have similar form to their 2024-25 season and be in contention for awards yet again. Some may argue the Presidents’ Trophy curse, but the Jets could maximize having great regular seasons if they can translate it into postseason success.

It’s also worth noting that the key storylines are season-long storylines. The current core and growth of younger forwards is something that will unfold throughout the 2025-26 season. The Jets also have key roster decisions to make with the contract situations of Kyle Connor, Adam Lowry, Cole Perfetti, and Nikita Chibrikov.

The Jets must find their way back to the playoffs, but it shouldn’t be seen as enough. The team must make it past the first round and make that one of the benchmarks heading into the season, but getting past the second and third rounds will be a goal in itself. The Central Division is only getting more competitive, and that’s apparent with Colorado and Dallas hot on Winnipeg’s tail. The window is now to define whether Winnipeg is a contender or simply a playoff participant.

The clock is ticking on the Jets’ current core. Sure, they have pieces in place that will make noise if given the opportunity, but the current core has to make that noise now to pave the way for the younger group. If health and play align, the Jets could be a serious contender to make significant strides in the 2025-26 season.

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