Three weeks into NHL free agency, the Jets’ 2026-27 picture is coming into focus - and there’s still one glaring hole up front.
The top line looks exactly like you’d expect. Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele and Gabriel Vilardi remain together, and all three are locked up long term. Even with some line juggling last season, that trio still projects as Winnipeg’s clear No. 1 unit heading into opening night.
The real intrigue starts behind them. As of July 24, the Jets still do not have a true second-line centre, and that’s a spot they continue to try to address this summer.
Adam Lowry, Vladislav Namestnikov and Morgan Barron all bring value, but not enough scoring touch to comfortably live in the top six. That opens the door for a younger look, and one possibility is Viggo Bjork stepping into the NHL at 18.
A line of Cole Perfetti, Bjork and Brad Lambert would be a major shift toward giving Jets prospects a real chance to grow into top-six roles.
Here’s how the forward group could shake out:
Kyle Connor - Mark Scheifele - Gabriel Vilardi
Cole Perfetti - Viggo Bjork - Brad Lambert
Nino Niederreiter - Adam Lowry - Alex Iafallo
Cole Koepke - Morgan Barron - Isak Rosen
Extras / depth options: Vladislav Namestnikov, Walker Duehr, Noah Gregor, and Nikita Chibrikov
The bottom six should look pretty familiar. Niederreiter, Lowry and Iafallo stand as the best current fit for a third line, while Namestnikov and possibly Chibrikov remain wing options.
Koepke and Barron are close to locks for the fourth line, and Rosen could either climb higher in the lineup or serve as depth depending on how the Jets want to arrange the rest of the forward group. There are also more young names in the pipeline, with Brayden Yager, Danny Zhilkin and Colby Barlow all possible additions later in the season.
On defence, the changes are lighter. The top four stays intact for a third straight season:
Josh Morrissey - Dylan DeMelo
Dylan Samberg - Neal Pionk
Mario Ferraro - Haydn Fleury
Extras / depth options: Jack St. Ivany, Henry Thrun, Tyrel Bauer, Isaak Phillips
Injured: Elias Salomonsson
Morrissey and DeMelo remain a strong offensive-defensive pair, while Samberg and Pionk will be looking for healthy bounce-back seasons. The new wrinkle is Mario Ferraro on the third pair.
The sixth spot is open to start the year because Elias Salomonsson is out while recovering from off-season shoulder surgery, and Fleury looks like the most likely option to fill that role. Still, there are several candidates who could end up next to Ferraro.
In goal, Connor Hellebuyck is still the No. 1 for now, despite all the chatter about a possible trade this offseason. Stuart Skinner, signed on July 1, projects as the backup and gives Winnipeg a goalie with starting experience if Hellebuyck is moved before the season. Thomas Milic is currently the most likely third option.
Nothing is locked in yet, of course. Training camp will sort out a lot of this, especially with depth players and prospects pushing for spots.
The Jets also have about $5.5 million in cap space, so they still have room to keep working. For now, though, this is the shape of a roster trying to get back to the playoffs.
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