The Winnipeg Jets have announced today’s first round of cuts from training camp. Three defensemen and nine forwards were released in total.
The first three forwards to be cut were assigned to the Manitoba Moose:
Chaz Lucius
Henri Nikkanen
Danny Zhilkin
Zhilkin and Lucius were expected cut early from camp as both forwards are getting back into game shape after their 2023-24 season was cut short due to season-ending injuries. Nikkanen has been pretty consistent with the Moose and having more time to develop will serve him well.
Four players attended camp on a professional tryout (PTO) as they were signed to AHL contracts and were released from their PTO’s:
Dylan Anhorn
Dawson Barteaux
Ashton Sautner
Ben King
I’ve liked Dawson Barteaux since I’ve started covering the Moose, he’s developed well and comments from his former defensive partner, Kyle Capobianco in March were nothing but praise for Barteaux. Sautner is a Moose defenseman who’s expected to take a significant step this year both as a top defensive option for the Moose and as a leader. He’s got the tools in the box to be a dominant defenseman for a long time. Ben King is a recent Moose signing, he spent the 2023-24 season with the San Diego Gulls and is looking to get a solidified middle-six role with the Moose this season. I wasn’t surprised to see Ben King be a part of the first round of cuts.
Dylan Anhorn, like Barteaux and Sautner, was impressive during training camp and the most impressive out of the first round of cuts. He brought more intensity and a good physicality combined with his work ethic to this year’s training camp. Anhorn suited up for the Jets in the first two preseason losses where he didn’t look out of place. He is projected to have a big year with the Manitoba Moose and get some extended looks next training camp. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I suspect that we will see more of Dylan Anhorn next year.
The final five forwards were assigned/released to their junior clubs:
Kevin He
Jacob Julien
Connor Levis
Markus Loponen
Kieron Walton
This group of five was actually a really surprising group. Kevin He came in and looked really strong for his first training camp. Walton and Loponen didn’t stand out much to me, they were another body caught in the fold. Julien and Levis looked like they could really challenge for a spot after another full season of development and having an entry-level contract (ELC) in place. All five of these players remained as unsigned draft picks and will play their 2024-25 season with their Junior/European clubs.
