Jets
A preview of the 2025-26 NHL season for the Winnipeg Jets, including predictions from VSiN NHL Expert Jonathan Davis. For all other NHL team previews, check out our NHL page.
Key Additions: Jonathan Toews, Tanner Pearson, Gustav Nyquist, Walker Duehr
Key Departures: Nikolaj Ehlers, Brandon Tanev
Overview
The Jets had a league-best 116 points in capturing the Presidents’ Trophy, as well as a league best goal differential (+86). They opened the season by winning their first eight games and 16 of 17. Despite winning a playoff round for the first time in four years, the Jets have yet to advance past the second round in seven seasons.
Offense
The 275 goals scored last season by Winnipeg were third-best in the NHL and their 37 wins covering the Puck Line were tied with Tampa for the most. The Jets won 31 games by three or more goals. That was more victories than the Preds, Sharks and Blackhawks had all season. It should come as no surprise that the Jets scored four or more goals in 38 of their 56 wins. The offense got a huge boost from their power play that went from 22nd in the NHL to No. 1 last season. Be careful about playing Jets games to go Over the posted total. Their games combined for 5.70 goals, 28th in the league.
Kyle Connor’s 41 goals and 97 points on 267 shots on goal were all team-highs. Mark Scheifele’s 39 goals fell just short of his career-high, but his 87 points were a career-best. The Jets will need to replace the 24 goals scored by Nikolaj Ehlers, who left as a free agent and signed with Carolina. Cole Perfetti, who had some playoff heroics and scored 18 goals in the regular season, will likely take Ehlers’ spot on the second line.
Defense
The Jets’ 190 goals surrendered last season were the fewest in the league. No team was better at locking things up with a lead after 40 minutes than the Jets who were 41-0-1. Josh Morrissey established himself as one of the league’s best defensemen. He led all Jets blueliners last season in goals (14), assists (48), points (62) and average time on ice (24:23). Team blocked shots leader Dylan Samberg (120), Dylan DeMelo and Neal Pionk are solid defenders. Luke Schenn adds veteran presence and physicality.
Goaltending
Connor Hellebuyck is coming off an outstanding regular season, as he became the fifth goalie in NHL history to win the Vezina and Hart Trophy in the same season. But when the lights got the brightest, especially on the road in the playoffs, he crumbled. Hellebuyck has lost nine straight road playoff games, giving up four or more goals in seven of the losses. Eric Comrie is a dependable backup goalie. He (2) and Hellebuyck (8) combined for 10 shutouts, sharing the league lead with the Senators.
Player to Watch
Welcome back to the NHL, the man they call “Captain Serious”, Jonathan Toews. Toews returns after missing the past two seasons battling the lingering effects of long COVID. The Winnipeg native and three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Blackhawks offers proven veteran presence and a winning pedigree. He had 31 points in 53 games in his final season in Chicago. His impact will depend on his health, but the low-risk contract (one-year, $2 million, up to $3 million in bonuses) makes this worth the risk.
Outlook
Sportsbooks are expecting regression with the Jets this season and have set Winnipeg’s point projection at 97.5 points, a significant drop-off from the 116 points from last season. If you like the Under 97.5 points (-120), I will steer you to wager on the Jets to miss the playoffs. Not long ago, you could get Winnipeg at +270 to miss, but that number is gone and now sits at +210. Conversely, the Jets who were once -350 to make the playoffs are now -275.
Team Futures
Regular Season Points: 97.5
To Make the Playoffs: -275
To Miss the Playoffs: +210
To Win the Central Division: +425
To Win the Western Conference: +1200
To Win the Stanley Cup: +2500
2024-25 Recap
Record: 56-22-4, 116 points (1st Central)
Over/Under: 33-46-3
Home Favorite: 27-8 // Home Dog: 2-1
Road Favorite: 19-7 // Road Dog: 6-8
Win Score 4 or more: 38 of 56 // Lose Give Up 4 or more: 18 of 26
Puck Line Wins: 37 of 56 // Puck Line Losses: 18 of 26
Front End Back-to-Back: 7-1 // Back End Back-to-Back: 2-6
Points Leader: Kyle Connor – 97
Goal Leader: Mark Scheifele – 39
Assist Leader: Kyle Connor – 56
Shots on Goal Leader: Kyle Connor – 267
Blocked Shots Leader: Dylan Samberg – 120
Depth Chart
Forwards
Kyle Connor / Mark Scheifele / Gabe Vilardi
Cole Perfetti / Jonathan Toews / Gustav Nyquist
Nino Niederreiter / Vladislav Nemestikov / Alex Iafallo
Tanner Pearson / Rasmus Kupari / Cole Koepke
Defense
Josh Morrissey / Dylan DeMelo
Dylan Samberg / Neal Pionk
Logan Stanley / Luke Schenn
Goalies
Connor Hellebuyck / Eric Comrie
Power Play Unit 1
Gabe Vilardi, Mark Schiefele, Cole Perfetti, Josh Morrissey, Kyle Connor
