3 burning questions Winnipeg Jets must answer in 2026 offseason

The Winnipeg Jets (35-35-12) were due for regression after winning the Presidents’ Trophy in the 2024-25. Little did fans know that they would regress all the way outside the playoff line in 2025-26. The team failed to agree on an extension with winger Nikolaj Ehlers, and while he has his issues in durability, he was hard to replace.

The Jets didn’t, instead electing to shore up the depth with Jonathan Toews and Gustav Nyquist. More: Golden Knights vs Mammoth Game 4 live stream: NHL Playoffs, TV channel That didn’t work, and the ineffectiveness of the depth, plus an up-and-down season from Connor Hellebuyck, caused Winnipeg to become sellers at the deadline. They shipped Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn to the Buffalo Sabres, and it might be a very eventful offseason.

Is there a front office shakeup? Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff announces Nikolaj Ehlers (not pictured) as the number nine overall pick to the Winnipeg Jets in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports The Jets struggles this season felt years in the making.

Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, despite his seeming lack of accountability for his performance this season, has been the biggest reason the Jets have been a consistent playoff team. With Hellebuyck struggling, the Jets didn’t have the offensive output to counter that. That falls on the feet of Kevin Cheveldayoff.