The Jets’ offseason storylines are starting to take shape, and they center on three familiar names: Scott Arniel, Connor Hellebuyck, and Elias Salomonsson.
Arniel’s situation is the most immediate one. He’s entering the final year of his contract without an extension in place, and in a conversation with Ken Wiebe and Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press, the head coach said that uncertainty has left him feeling “not comfortable.” It’s not a brand-new experience for him - he said he dealt with the same sort of walk-year setup during his playing days - but it is a different pressure point now that he’s behind the bench.
That backdrop matters because Arniel’s first two seasons in Winnipeg have gone in opposite directions. In 2024-25, the Jets rolled to the Presidents’ Trophy with 116 points.
Last season was a sharp drop, with Winnipeg missing the playoffs and finishing 35-35-12. With that kind of swing, it’s no surprise that GM Kevin Cheveldayoff appears to be taking a patient, wait-and-see approach on Arniel’s future.
Hellebuyck, meanwhile, is still at the center of trade chatter, at least in theory. There has been speculation about whether he’d accept a move to another Canadian club or whether his preference would be to play in the United States. But Sportsnet’s Frank Seravalli reported that none of the other six Canadian teams has made a pitch to acquire him.
The idea of Hellebuyck landing with a team such as Edmonton makes sense on paper, especially given the Oilers’ issues in goal. Even so, the financial piece would be a hurdle, since his $8.5MM cap hit is a major commitment.
His trade protection adds another layer of difficulty. For now, there doesn’t appear to be any real momentum toward a deal, which leaves open the question of whether a Canadian team will eventually jump in and see if he’d be willing to come aboard.
There is better news on the injury front. Arniel told reporters yesterday that defenseman Elias Salomonsson is ahead of schedule after offseason shoulder surgery.
He has already returned to skating at practice in a non-contact jersey, and the team still plans to remain patient with him. Even so, the current outlook is better than expected: instead of a return near the end of the month, he now appears to be tracking toward coming back well before that.
In Other News...
Jets Prospects Just Took Center Stage With Manitoba's Opening Roster
The Manitoba Mooses opening-day roster for the 2026-27 regular season gives the Winnipeg Jets system an early-season spotlight, with 26 players set to open the year, including 15 forwards, eight defensemen and three goaltenders. Among the names drawing the most attention are Jets draft picks Colby Barlow and Brayden Yager, part of a group that features 10 Winnipeg selections and eight rookie skaters, a clear sign that the organization is leaning on its pipeline as the minor-league season gets underway.
The roster also brought a few quick trims as Manitoba sorted out the final group heading into the opener. Alex Worthington and Sullivan Mack were sent to the clubs ECHL affiliate, while Sam Sedley and Grant Porter were released from tryout agreements, leaving the Moose with a more defined group and a few notable development stories still to watch as the season begins. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Season Opener Comes With Two Intriguing New Twists
The opening night setup in Winnipeg comes with a little extra intrigue, as the Jets are preparing to face Boston with projected lineups already in hand. It is the kind of early-season matchup that gives a team its first real look at where things stand, and for the Jets, it also brings the possibility of seeing a pair of fresh faces step onto NHL ice for the first time in a regular-season game.
Viggo Bjrck and Tyrel Bauer are both expected to be part of that debut moment, adding another layer of interest to a game that already carries plenty of attention. Boston arrives having already won its home opener, so Winnipeg will be dealing with a team that has at least one game of real season action behind it, while the Jets begin their own campaign with new personnel and a few unanswered questions about how those changes will look under the bright lights. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Let A Winnable Home Game Slip Away Late Against Bruins
The Bruins left Canada Life Centre with a 4-3 overtime win, and the game had the sort of feel that stings a home team because it was there to be taken. Winnipeg had enough looks to keep the pressure on, but Boston got the steadier goaltending from Jeremy Swayman, who turned aside 30 shots and helped the visitors survive the push. Stuart Skinner finished with 26 saves for the Jets in a game that swung back and forth before settling into the kind of late drama that tends to linger.
Boston also got a memorable moment from James Hagens, who scored his first NHL goal, giving the Bruins another jolt in a night they needed contributors beyond the usual names. The final turn came in overtime, where the Bruins found the finish they needed and left Winnipeg sorting through another frustrating result after a game that felt winnable for much of the night. [Read more 🡒]