2025-26
Record: 35-35-12, 82 points, 7th in Central Division
Playoffs: Missed Stanley Cup Playoffs
Key Losses
F – Jonathan Toews (Retired), G – Eric Comrie (SJ), D – Jacob Bryson (DET)
Key Additions
G – Stuart Skinner (Signed via FA), F – Noah Gregor (Signed via FA), D – Mario Ferraro (Signed via FA)
2026-27 Preview
Looking for a Bounceback
For the Winnipeg Jets, the 2026-27 season will be about bouncing back and returning to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in what remains a stacked Central Division.
The Jets struggled during the 2025-26 season, finishing seventh in the Central Division and missing the playoffs. In an effort to address some of their weaknesses, Winnipeg added forward Noah Gregor to provide additional depth and defenseman Mario Ferraro to bring more stability and experience to the blue line.
The Jets also made an intriguing move in goal by acquiring Stuart Skinner. He is expected to begin the season as a backup to Connor Hellebuyck, but the bigger question is whether Skinner can push Hellebuyck for the starting job. While Hellebuyck remains one of the league’s established elite goaltenders, adding legitimate competition between the pipes could benefit the Jets over the course of a long 84-game regular season.
For Winnipeg, the additions may not be enough by themselves to guarantee a playoff return, but they address some important areas of the roster. The Jets will need their veterans to bounce back, their new additions to make an immediate impact, and their goaltending situation to provide consistency if they hope to climb back into the postseason picture.
Will Hellebuyck Be a Distraction?
After the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, Connor Hellebuyck reportedly made a private trade request to the Winnipeg Jets, seeking a fresh start with another team. Rumors surrounding a potential move began circulating around the NHL Draft, with several teams believed to have shown interest in the veteran goaltender.
Then, just weeks before the start of training camp, Hellebuyck’s agent, Ray Petkau, released a statement on his client’s behalf publicly confirming that Hellebuyck had requested a trade. Hellebuyck indicated that he had been patient throughout the process, but with no deal materializing, the situation was brought into the public spotlight.
Now, as of August 31, 2026 when this was written, the biggest question surrounding the Jets is whether Hellebuyck will be traded before training camp or the start of the regular season. If he remains in Winnipeg, the organization will have to determine how it handles a situation involving its franchise goaltender who has made it clear that he wants a fresh start elsewhere.
For the Jets and their fanbase, the uncertainty could become a significant distraction heading into the season. If Hellebuyck reports to camp and remains professional, Winnipeg could potentially navigate the situation while continuing to search for a suitable trade. However, the longer the situation remains unresolved, the more difficult it could become for the team to focus on returning to the playoffs.
Projected Lineup
Offense
Kyle Connor — Mark Scheifele — Gabriel Vilardi
Cole Perfetti — Adam Lowry — Alex Iafallo
Nino Niederreiter — Vladislav Namestnikov — Brad Lambert
Cole Koepke — Morgan Barron — Isak Rosen
Defense
Josh Morrissey — Dylan DeMelo
Dylan Samberg — Neal Pionk
Mario Ferraro — Elias Salomonsson
Goalies
Connor Hellebuyck
Stuart Skinner