Jets begin new season with clean bill of health and lofty goals

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Jets believe they have the team to get them back into the playoffs. If they are to achieve their lofty goal, a lot will need to go right.

So, let's start with some good news: as the Jets revealed their 23-man roster on Monday, the single-most encouraging development is a clean bill of health. 

Unlike last year, when pre-season injuries to Cole Perfetti and Dylan Samberg derailed their starts to the year, the Jets enter October's schedule with their optimal lineup. 

We should note here that, of course, doesn't include goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who is still under contract for five more years. Hellebuyck continues to hold out for a trade while the Jets insist they can contend without him. Any return from a trade would reason to factor in both the roster and Winnipeg's chances for success this year. 

Now, back to regularly scheduled programming.

With no major injury scares, the roster cutdown was finalized when rookie centre Brayden Yager was assigned to the AHL's Manitoba Moose, clearing the way for 13 forwards, eight defencemen and two goalies. 

Meanwhile, the Jets' sick bay currently consists of forward Walker Duehr and defencemen Elias Salomonsson and Garrett Brown. But only Salomonsson, who is eyeing a mid-October return, is expected to immediately jump into the line-up.

With the roster now formed, here is how each position group stands ahead of Friday's season-opener against Boston.

FORWARDS

Kyle Connor-Mark Scheifele-Cole Perfetti
Isak Rosén-Viggo Bjorck-Gabriel Vilardi
Morgan Barron-Adam Lowry-Brad Lambert
Nino Niederreiter-Vlad Namestnikov-Alex Iafallo

Extra: Cole Keopke

The major takeaway from the top unit is the promotion of Cole Perfetti to play with the unbreakable duo of Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor. Fresh off a five-year, $30-million extension, the main objective here is to maximize his offensive ceiling. Perfetti topped out at 50 points during the 2024-25 campaign; unlocking another level for the 24-year-old would go a long way for a team needing a major boost from the 26th-ranked 2.29 goals they averaged last season.

Scheifele is coming off career-highs in points (103) and assists (67), and while it might not be fair to ask for more this season, the Jets will need it from their top forward. Connor missed out on his third 40-goal season by a single marker, but where they'll need the all-star winger to make a significant improvement is on the power play, where he had four fewer goals and nine fewer points compared to the previous year.

Entrusting Viggo Bjorck, an 18-year-old rookie, to drive the second line feels like a massive gamble. The question isn't about talent or hockey IQ; it's whether Bjorck can immediately adjust to the speed, physical demands and defensive responsibilities of the NHL.

While Isak Rosen has some big-league experience, including a season-high 21 games with the Jets last year, he's still unproven. He's produced in the AHL but it hasn't yet translated to the NHL. The Jets are betting on his high-end speed to help on the forecheck and his Swedish roots to benefit Bjorck's transition. 

Gabriel Vilardi, the lone veteran on the line, asked for more responsibility in his exit meeting last spring and he's getting that in spades playing with two rookies. Of all four forward lines, this one carries the most pressure to produce if the Jets plan to make it back to the post-season.

Winnipeg needs its third line to rediscover its old identity as an elite shutdown trio. Whether they can depends almost entirely on Adam Lowry, who struggled after undergoing hip surgery to start last season. Now healthy, Lowry will need to regain some of that physical dominance to help set the tone of a line that will likely log the second-most ice time.

Morgan Barron is in the final year of his contract and must prove he can take that next step in becoming a consistent NHL power forward. Rounding out the third line is Brad Lambert, who will play his first full NHL season since being drafted by Winnipeg 30th overall in 2022. Can Lambert grow his defensive awareness while maintaining his offensive touch?

The fourth line should be written in pencil. While Alex Iafallo provides a steady presence, for Nino Niederreiter and Vlad Namestnikov, had it not been for strong performances during pre-season action, we might be talking new hockey homes for one or both.

That doesn't mean their runway isn't short. Any prolonged dip in play could and should result in either Cole Koepke getting his shot or Yager returning from the Moose.

DEFENCE

Josh Morrissey-Dylan DeMelo
Dylan Samberg-Neal Pionk
Mario Ferarro-Tyrel Bauer

Extras: Hadyn Fleury, Jack St. Ivany

The Jets are taking a familiar approach to the defence, reuniting Josh Morrissey and Dylan DeMelo on the top unit, with Dylan Samberg and Neal Pionk rounding out the top-four. When Salomonsson returns, the plan is likely to shelter him with third-pairing minutes, but he should be able to earn his way into a bigger role, possibly even alongside Morrissey.

On the third pairing, free-agent addition Mario Ferraro will take over the left side, joined by either Tyrel Bauer or Jack St. Ivany. Bauer appears to have the inside track, but both big-bodied blueliners will be counted on to bring some much-needed muscle to a notably younger team.

GOALIES

Stuart Skinner
Clay Stevenson

Goaltending was supposed to be the least of Winnipeg's concerns, but the ongoing Hellebuyck saga has given it the biggest spotlight. With this breakup expected to be permanent, Stuart Skinner has gone from insurance policy to Plan A.

Skinner has an impressive resume. He has reached the post-season in all five of his NHL seasons, including twice going to the Stanley Cup finals with the Edmonton Oilers. But the massive hole left behind by Hellebuyck is a demanding one, as Hellebuyck averaged 60 starts over his last nine full seasons.

Skinner topped out at 57 starts, in 2023-24, but has consistently averaged around 50 over his career. While he wants a heavier workload, winning will likely prefer to share the crease more to keep both fresh.

With the regular-season extended to 84 games, that leaves at least 30 games left over. The Jets seemed to have their answer internally, especially after Dom DiVincentiis played well in 2-1 overtime loss to Edmonton. But that plan changed dramatically on Monday when Winnipeg claimed Washington goalie Clay Stevenson off waivers. 

Stevenson could be what they're looking for, having performed well with the AHL's Hershey Bears. He was also stellar in four games with the Capitals last season, posting a 3-1 record, a 2.00 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage. It's a small sample size, to be sure, but the Jets hope, as is the case for many players on the roster, they can squeeze the most out of him.