Winnipeg Jets 2025/26 Season Preview: Can Hellebuyck Carry Them Further?

Do the Jets still have the firepower to contend without Nikolaj Ehlers?

A Quick Look at the Jets’ Last Season

Record: 56–20–6 (116 points)
Result: Won Presidents’ Trophy; lost in Second Round
2025/26 Stanley Cup Odds: +2500 at Sports Interaction

Winnipeg’s Offseason Recap

The Jets kept the core and lost a key piece. Connor Hellebuyck swept the Vezina and Hart and dragged Winnipeg to a franchise-record 116 points. The playoff run ended in Round 2 against Dallas, and top-six driver Nikolaj Ehlers left for Carolina.

Management went veteran with Jonathan Toews and Gustav Nyquist, added depth with Tanner Pearson and Cole Koepke, and retained a strong blue line. Early injuries matter. Adam Lowry is out to start after hip surgery. Dylan Samberg broke his wrist and will miss six to eight weeks.

Head coach Scott Arniel returns after a Presidents’ Trophy in Year 1.

2025/26 Jets Team Outlook

Offence: Top Line Stays Elite, Questions Below

The Jets scored 277 goals last season, tied for third in the league. Kyle Connor set a career high with 97 points and led the team with 17 points in 13 playoff games. He is in a contract year. Mark Scheifele and Gabriel Vilardi round out a first line that can still punish teams at five on five.

The second line is the swing. Cole Perfetti hit 50 points and needs another step without Ehlers. Nyquist likely starts on his wing. Toews, 37, returns after two years away and opens as a middle-six centre while Lowry heals. If Toews can manage the workload and Perfetti drives play, the drop-off is manageable. If not, depth scoring becomes an issue.

Names to watch for minutes when injuries hit: Vlad Namestnikov, Alex Iafallo, Nino Niederreiter.

Defence: Quietly Excellent When Healthy

Josh Morrissey has grown into a true No. 1. With Dylan DeMelo, Winnipeg’s top pair controls pace and chances. When healthy, Samberg–Neal Pionk is a sturdy second pair that handled tough matchups last year. Early on, expect more Haydn Fleury, Luke Schenn, and possibly Colin Miller or Logan Stanley. Ville Heinola is a wild card if he finally gets runway.

This blue line limits damage and gets the puck to the forwards in stride. Without Samberg, the third pair is the weak link.

Goaltending: Best in the World, Now Do It in May

Connor Hellebuyck is the backbone. Three straight seasons at .920 or better in a rising-scoring era and a monster 2024/25 capped by the Hart. Regular season is not the question. The ask is postseason consistency.

Eric Comrie returns after a .914 in 20 games. He is a capable No. 2, but the Jets still live and die with Hellebuyck’s volume.

Winnipeg’s X-Factors

Connor Hellebuyck: MVP-level again and better in the spring.
Cole Perfetti: Must replace Ehlers’ five-on-five creation on L2.
Jonathan Toews: Can he handle an everyday 2C load after two years out.
Power Play: Big jump last year with Ehlers. Can it stay dangerous without him.
Injuries: Early gaps for Lowry and Samberg shape October.

Winnipeg Jets 2025/26 Betting Outlook

Sports Interaction’s NHL Futures board lists Winnipeg at:

+2500 to win the Stanley Cup

+1100 to win the Western Conference

-250 to make the playoffs

The market still respects the Presidents’ Trophy core and the best goalie alive. Ehlers’ exit and early injuries cap the ceiling a bit, but the floor remains high.

Best Bet: To Make the Playoffs (-250)
Parlay or anchor piece only. Winnipeg’s structure and Hellebuyck keep the team in firm playoff position even with a modest step back.

Value Swing: Western Conference +1100
Playable if you believe the power play stays top tier without Ehlers and Hellebuyck carries form into May. Small exposure only.

So, What’s the Final Verdict on These Jets?

The Jets are a playoff team on structure and goaltending alone. To be more than that, they need Perfetti to drive the second line, Toews to be steady, and Hellebuyck to carry regular-season form into May.

Prediction: 104 points, 2nd in the Central Division, wins a round
Bottom Line: Still a contender. Replacing Ehlers’ impact decides how high they climb.