The 2025/26 NHL season was a hard fall for the Winnipeg Jets, and now Kevin Cheveldayoff and the Jets brass need to assess what to do next. Check out my blog on what a retool for the Jets could look like, with no major acquisitions required. #NHLJets
www.jasonpchajekwriting.com/post/runway-...
I know the #NHLJets fanbase is down, but I do see some optimism. The team played really well after the Olympic break. If Chevy can actually learn something and keep some youth on the team then I think they will be in a really good spot next season.
#NHLJets Might Have Been Overconfident After 2024-25 Success: Cheveldayoff www.chrisd.ca/2026/04/20/w... via @jeffkhamilton.bsky.social
And here’s colleague @wiebesworld.bsky.social with the view from behind the #NHLJets bench, where an apologetic Scott Arniel admitted Monday he has plenty to work on during a most important offseason for himself and the organization.
www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/2026/...
Are the #NHLJets winging it as they try to get back on track?
It sure felt that way Monday, when hope was essentially offered up as a flight plan by GM Kevin Cheveldayoff — whose job security, despite a historic nose-dive, appears on autopilot.
My column: www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews...
Ok I finally have a break today. Time to catch up on the old social media sites and see how Chevy's #NHLJets presser went.
Im going to be angry soon, aren't I?
#NHLJets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff spoke for 38 minutes today at this year-end media availability. HC Scott Arniel fielded questions for 35 minutes.
There was quantity. Quality?
Colleague @wiebesworld.bsky.social and I will try to make sense of it all in pieces we’re filing for @winnipegfreepress.com
I asked Kevin Cheveldayoff about the lack of a "next wave" of top talent after the #NHLJets 30+ core players.
With so many picks sent away and no next wave of elite youth on ELC's, is this window simply untenable? Is the No. 7 pick (lottery pending) too far away to help?
🧵⤵️:
#NHLJets coach Scott Arniel says Nikita Chibrikov is nursing an injury, hence why he hasn’t been sent to the #MBMoose just yet. Same with Elias Salomonsson, who is skating today and has a concussion test Wednesday.
#NHLJets Gabe Vilardi will join Mark Scheifele and Dylan DeMelo on Team Canada at the World Championship.
Which #NHLJets will be part of Winnipeg's future? Which won't?
(And why should it be concerning that so many comments look at these projections, fear WPG "running it back", and can't find precedents for the Jets to avoid such a thing?)
www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...
The #NHLJets re-sign Cole Keopke to a 2 year deal and that's being applauded? So much for wanting the kids to step up I guess..
As expected, the #NHLJets have indeed signed pending UFA Cole Koepke to a contract extension. 2 years, US $1.45 million AAV for the 27-year old from Minnesota, who had 8 goals and 9 assists in 66 games this season.
Hellebuyck, #NHLJets Left to Deal with Rapid Fall from Grace This Season www.chrisd.ca/2026/04/18/c...
The Winnipeg Jets can't afford to be complacent with their 2026-27 roster.
But who’s staying? Who's likely to go?
More on a pivotal #NHLJets offseason ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...
Mark Scheifele’s magical season isn’t over quite yet. He’s headed to Switzerland next month to represent Canada at the World Championship.
He’s bringing an #NHLJets teammate, too.
@wiebesworld.bsky.social tells the tale: www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/2026/...
Jonathan Toews may have looked and even sounded like a guy contemplating retirement. But the #NHLJets forward wasn’t ready to call it a career on Friday.
A decision is coming shortly, however.
Colleague @wiebesworld.bsky.social with the story: www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/2026/...
The anger. The emotion. The pause. The body language. The words — spoken and unspoken.
All of it points to something bigger.
Buckle up, folks. The #NHLJets may have a major Connor Hellebuyck problem on their hands.
My column: www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews...
Hellebuyck said he’s going take time to “re-evaluate.” There was a 7 second pause when I asked him about his long-term future with the #NHLJets and whether “tough conversations” may be required.
“To just put that same product on the ice, I don’t think it worked for a reason.”
Hellebuyck on the #NHLJets:
“What we did this year was unacceptable and no one wants to be a part of that. Where do we go from here and what’s the next step?”
“Complacency is not going to get us moving forward. So something has got to happen.”
Hellebuyck on his own game with the #NHLJets despite a major dip in his numbers.
”I played good enough to win a gold medal. And I’m telling you, my game wasn’t different before or after.”
He also called the Jets season “chaos.”
It's crazy that the core players of the #NHLJets all pretty much summed up how they felt they got better when they brought in some youth and speed into the lineup mid-season.
If they players see it, how does Chevy not?
"From my perspective, complacency is not going to get us moving forward. Something has got to happen."
That's Hellebuyck.
My perspective is that Hellebuyck is exactly right about that, he was right to say so, and that it should put pressure on #NHLJets management.
Connor Hellebuyck blasts #NHLJets management, questions team's ability to build Cup contender ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...
Quick summary: Connor Hellebuyck fired all kinds of shots at the state of the #NHLJets and how it’s difficult for him to see an easy way out of this mess. When I asked if this would cause him to re-consider his future, there was an extremely long pause.
Connor Hellebuyck just gave an incredibly raw and emotional year-end interview with us that will not in any way cool off chatter about him possibly wanting out of the #NHLJets.
It was quite something. And incredibly revealing.
Full story coming for @winnipegfreepress.com
Kyle Connor brought up the 2018 #NHLJets team, saying that one of the best things about it was the way the veterans were supported by top young players on ELCs.
Bang on. Connor was then asked if he'd embrace a youth movement.
"I'll embrace winning."
So. Yes if they're good!
#NHLJets Kyle Connor also cites the need for speed when talking about ways to improve the team.
Says he hasn’t been asked about playing in the World Championship at this point.
