3 early Jets trade targets after missing 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The Winnipeg Jets won the President’s Trophy in 2024-25, but missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2025-26. The drop off and missing the playoffs has led to frustration from players, most notably Connor Hellebuyck.

If the Jets do not have a plan and quickly turn the franchise back to contending, Hellebuyck could attempt to force his way out of Winnipeg. In 2024-25, the Jets were tied for third in the NHL with 3.35 goals per game. They were also the best powerplay unit in the NHL, at a 28.9 percent conversion rate. That year, the offense was led by Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele on the top line, both of whom had over 85 points. Joining them on the top line was Nikolaj Ehlers, who put in 24 goals with 39 assists. This also allowed the Jets to have a solid second line, with Gabriel Vilardi and Cole Perfeitt.

In the offseason, Ehlers signed with the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Jets did not properly replace him. The Jets dropped to 26th in the NHL in goals per game, with just 2.79 goals per game. Meanwhile, the Jets were 24th in the NHL on the powerplay, converting just 18.5 percent of the time. The top line still had solid production, with Scheifele having 103 points and Connor bringing in 92. Vilardi moved to the top line and scored eight more points than he had the prior year. Still, the second line saw a massive drop off.

Vilardi was fifth on the team in scoring in 2024-25 with 61 points, while Perfetti had 50 points. This year, Perfetti was fifth on the team in points, with just 32. Next were Alex Iafallo and Jonathan Toews, who each had 29 points. The drop off in the offense, especially outside of the top line, needs to be addressed, but there are multiple routes they could go.

The Jets go after a big-name center

St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas was the subject of trade rumors at the trade deadline. While the price for Thomas would be high for the Jets, he would be worth it. The Jets are projected to have over $22 million in cap space this upcoming season and could re-sign their current class of free agents while still having enough cap space to bring in Thomas. Thomas has an AAV of $8.125 million and is under contract through the 2030-31 campaign. He does have a no-trade clause, which would mean that Thomas would need to approve the deal.

Still, the Blues center would bring a much-needed scoring presence to the Jets. He played just 64 games this past season, but found the back of the net 25 times while adding 39 assists, giving him an average of a point per game. Thomas has averaged a point or more per game in four of the last five seasons. Further, he has lit the lamp 20 or more times in four of the last five years. The forward would also help the powerplay. In the past five seasons, he has racked up 22 goals and 74 assists on the man advantage.

Winnipeg brings in short-term reinforcements 

The Jets attempted a short-term option with an aging veteran this year, signing Jonathan Toews. Toews did not put up a ton of production for the Jets, scoring 11 times and adding 18 assists. Still, the Jets forward had not played in the NHL for two years. This means the Jets could still go a similar route this year, trying to upgrade from Toews.

The best option there would be Ryan O’Reilly from the Nashville Predators. Like Toews, this would be a one-year deal to bring in O’Reilly. He is heading into the final year of a four-year deal he signed with the Predators ahead of the 2023-24 campaign. He is also coming off a stellar campaign. The Predators center lit the lamp 25 times while adding 49 assists in 2025-26. It was his third straight season over 50 points with 20 or more goals.

O’Reilly would not provide a long-term solution to the Jets’ scoring problems, as Thomas would.  He will turn 36 years old during the 2026-27 campaign, whereas Thomas will turn 27 just before the season. Still, O’Reilly will come in at a much cheaper trade cost and salary cost, which could make him an attractive option.

Kevin Cheveldayoff goes after a restricted free agent

The Jets could also go after an ascending forward. Mavrik Bourque is a pending restricted free agent, and if he is looking to take a bigger role with a team, he may be interested in moving on from Dallas. With the Dallas Stars, he is playing in the middle six, sometimes with the third line. With the Jets, he would be a top-six forward and could even see top-line minutes. Still, it would likely take a sign-and-trade to get Bourque to Winnipeg.

To begin with, Bourque is showing improvement and growth already in his career. In his first full season in the NHL in 2024-25, the center scored 11 goals and added 14 assists. He then improved that 20, finding the back of the net 20 times with 21 helpers. The Canadian was also solid on defense this past season. He will be turning just 25 years old during the season, which could give the Jets a long-term replacement for the loss of Ehlers last season.

Regardless of which direction the Jets go, finding someone who can bring production to the offense outside of the first line is a must for the Jets’ offseason.

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