The 2025-26 NHL season has officially begun. We are on the eve of the Winnipeg Jets season opener and we received some big news today.
Jets extend Connor
It is finally official. As anticipated, Kyle Connor signed an 8-year, $96 million extension to remain with the Jets. That will be an annual cap hit of $12 million. As expected, this extension makes make Connor the highest paid Jet. It is also the largest contract given out in Winnipeg Jets history. Very well deserved in all facets.
The Jets drafted Connor 17th overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Since joining the big club in 2017, Connor consistently became a top-line forward. Moreover, it’s not secret that he is the winger of choice for Jets top-line centre Mark Scheifele.
Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff got this contract done under the wire before the start of the regular season. It ensures that the highest scoring line in the league from last year will indeed remain intact for the foreseeable future and then some.
Banged up Jets
The Jets open up the season tomorrow night in-front of a sold-out crowd at the Canada Life Centre against the very team that ended their season last year, the Dallas Stars. Unlike previous years, the Jets begin this year very banged up.
Dylan Samberg is out for several weeks with a broken wrist. Cole Perfetti is week to week with an ankle sprain. Adam Lowry must still work his way back from off-season hip surgery. Even their big off-season free agent acquisition and local hero, Jonathon Toews, is day-to-day. Toews sustained a minor injury during a preseason game. However, it look like Toews may play in the home opener. He’s reportedly made progress.
Opportunity for Chibrikov
Based on line rushes in the Jets practice today, it looks like Nikita Chibrikov will get the opportunity to skate on the second line with Toews and Gustav Nyquist. Brad Lambert seems to be on the outside looking in at the moment.
Let’s see if Chibrikov holds onto a top-six spot. In his five-game NHL sample size, Chibrikov has produced 4 points (3G, 1A). If Toews can’t suit up, I’d imagine Lambert will slot into the second line centre spot.
