Hockey – Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dylan Samberg (54) can become an unrestricted free agent at the age of 29. (Erin Hooley / The Associated Press files)

Jets, Samberg agree to terms on three-year deal

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 30, 2025

On the surface, this looks like the epitome of a compromise.

By avoiding Wednesday’s arbitration hearing in Toronto and the shrapnel it may have included, the Winnipeg Jets and Dylan Samberg found a happy medium, agreeing to terms on a three-year deal that carries an average annual value of US$5.75 million.

With the Jets avoiding a one-year award for Samberg that could have walked him to unrestricted free agency next summer, this should be characterized as an important development.

Since the two sides agreed to a term of less than six-to-eight years, many observers will stop short of saying it’s an undisputed victory for Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and company and there are plenty of valid reasons for that particular viewpoint.

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Ehlers bids emotional farewell

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Ehlers bids emotional farewell

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Friday, Jul. 4, 2025

It would appear the breakup between the Winnipeg Jets and Nikolaj Ehlers was an amicable one. Emotional, too.

“Nik phoned me (Thursday), almost in tears,” coach Scott Arniel said on Friday.

“He just felt the biggest thing for him was he needed a change of scenery. It wasn’t based on the city or the hockey team. He felt like he had been here a long time and this was his one chance to make a change.”

That change has come in the form of a six-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes which will pay Ehlers US $8.5 million per season. It marks the end of a relationship with the Jets that dates back to 2014 when he was selected in the first round, ninth-overall, by the organization.

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Friday, Jul. 4, 2025

KARL DEBLAKER / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES
Nikolaj Ehlers provided plenty of thrills for Jets fans over the years.

Stonewall native adds NHL to her long list of officiating milestones

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Stonewall native adds NHL to her long list of officiating milestones

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Yesterday at 6:12 PM CDT

Talk about a “Welcome to the Big Leagues” moment.

Amy Martin, a 30-year-old referee from Manitoba, got one last weekend in Montreal. Invited to help officiate the NHL prospect challenge tournament featuring young stars from four teams, her very first assignment came under the bright lights of the Bell Centre in a clash between the hometown Canadiens versus the Winnipeg Jets.

It didn’t take long before roughly 20,000 fans were chanting “ref you suck” in her direction after what they perceived as a missed infraction.

Offended? Not at all. For Martin, it was a badge of honour.

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Yesterday at 6:12 PM CDT

ICE WAVE MEDIA PHOTO
Stonewall’s Amy Martin suited up for her first NHL assignment last weekend in Montreal, reffing two Winnipeg Jets games at the prospects tournament.

‘It would be awesome to experience it again’

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

‘It would be awesome to experience it again’

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Yesterday at 5:49 PM CDT

The mere mention of the unadulterated elation immediately brings a smile to the face of Tanner Pearson.

Sitting in his new stall inside Hockey For All Centre, the veteran forward casually mentions his career highlight and it’s as though he was immediately transformed into the time machine, landing in the heart of 2014.

Pearson was a second-year pro and had one solitary Stanley Cup playoff game on his resumé — and it came before making his regular-season debut with the Los Angeles Kings.

That would come on Nov. 14 of 2013, when he scored against Kevin Poulin of the New York Islanders.

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Yesterday at 5:49 PM CDT

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
Tanner Pearson (70), the latest versatile forward to join the Winnipeg Jets, feels like joining the club is his best chance at capturing a career second Stanley Cup.

Encore for Perfetti includes linemate Toews

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Encore for Perfetti includes linemate Toews

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Yesterday at 5:33 PM CDT

As he returned to his hometown in Ontario this summer, Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti was surprised by how many people wanted to talk to him about the “Manitoba Miracle.”

“They’re all Leafs fans and for them to be asking about that and recognizing that I scored that goal, it was really cool to have that,” Perfetti told the Free Press on Friday, referring to his incredible buzzer-beater last April against the St. Louis Blues that staved off playoff elimination and made headlines across the sports world.

“I guess I didn’t right away recognize how big of a goal it was in terms. You go to the grocery store, you go here or wherever it is and people always… the first thing they say is what a goal. They always say they’ll never forget that for the rest of their lives.”

Perfetti’s name is now etched in local hockey history for a dramatic moment his head coach, Scott Arniel, ranks alongside Paul Henderson’s 1972 classic against the Soviet Union, Bobby Orr’s airborne beauty and Sidney Crosby’s golden-goal overtime winner at the 2010 Olympics.

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Yesterday at 5:33 PM CDT

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
‘Manitoba Miracle’ sniper and Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti has been paired with Jonathan Toews and Gustav Nyquist at training camp.

Bidding an unfond farewell to the fitness test

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Bidding an unfond farewell to the fitness test

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Thursday, Sep. 18, 2025

Goodbye — and good riddance.

A new collective bargaining agreement means a long-standing pre-season ritual — timed sprint skates, measured jumps, weight-lifting contests and lung-capacity tests — is about to become a thing of the past. This September marks the final round of fitness testing, a development that Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele nearly commemorated with a T-shirt on Wednesday.

So why was this such a sore spot for players?

“I think it stems from last year and a lot of injuries coming in the pre-season, a lot of marquee guys around the league,” said Jets winger Kyle Connor.

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Thursday, Sep. 18, 2025

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele (right) said Thursday he’s “very, very excited” the fitness test will no longer be part of training camp anymore.

Jets embracing lofty expectations

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

Jets embracing lofty expectations

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Thursday, Sep. 18, 2025

Expectations can often be a tricky subject to navigate, though that did not prevent Scott Arniel from going down that road during the first on-ice sessions of training camp.

With medicals and physicals in the rearview mirror, the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets leaned in on the pursuit of the ultimate goal in his first question and answer period with reporters on Thursday at Hockey For All Centre.

“Every one of us in this room, we’ve talked about it and we’re not afraid to talk about the Stanley Cup,” said Arniel, back for a fourth season and the second as the head coach after finishing second in Jack Adams Trophy voting behind Spencer Carbery. “There’s a ton of work that has to happen to get there. Our group realizes that when we play our style, when we attack the way we attack, when we defend the way we defend, our specialty teams are good and we get real good goaltending, that we’re as good as anybody in this league.”

Looking for more proof?

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Thursday, Sep. 18, 2025

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel enters his second season as bench boss after posting career franchise numbers in his first season at the helm with an NHL history best start record (15-1), franchise best wins (56), points (116) and capturing the Presidents’ and Jennings trophies.

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Jets captain hits the ice in milestone after hip surgery

Mike McIntyre 8 minute read Preview

Jets captain hits the ice in milestone after hip surgery

Mike McIntyre 8 minute read Thursday, Sep. 11, 2025

Adam Lowry is no stranger to pain. The hard-nosed, high-character captain of the Winnipeg Jets is as tough as they come, leading by example on and off the ice.

But this past spring, the veteran centre reached a point where he could no longer simply grin and bear it. The difficult decision was made to undergo surgery to repair a hip that had been screaming at him for several years.

“It started becoming a chronic thing, where it was even becoming painful just going down stairs. I’d feel it watching TV,” Lowry said Thursday as he met with media for the first time since his surgery in late May.

“I was willing to continue managing it and try to play through it. But then you worry that you might get into October, November and all of a sudden you have to operate now. Instead of missing 10 to 15 games, you’re missing 60 to 70 and potentially the playoffs. That was the thing we were ultimately trying to avoid.”

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Thursday, Sep. 11, 2025

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS
Winnipeg Jets captain Adam Lowry expects to return to the club’s lineup at the ‘end of October, start of November.’

Toews thrilled to be back on the ice after health issue hiatus

Ken Wiebe 9 minute read Preview

Toews thrilled to be back on the ice after health issue hiatus

Ken Wiebe 9 minute read Thursday, Sep. 11, 2025

Jonathan Toews is doing his best to blend into his new surroundings.

While that might seem like a formality for someone as decorated as Toews, getting acclimated with a new organization and all that comes with it is an important part of this remarkable comeback with the Winnipeg Jets.

Although the wheels have been in motion for some time, the Winnipegger admits he’s dealt with some nerves during the introductory phase that comes before training camp officially gets underway next week.

“It’s been a lot of fun slowly getting to know guys,” said Toews, speaking to the media for the first time since July. “That’s something that will take a little while to get settled and comfortable in the locker room. In a way you want to show your respect, especially to the veteran guys in the room that set the tone and the example for this team every day. As I’ve been saying, I’ll just slowly find my way, contribute where I can, and find ways of doing that that respect the strengths of this group, too.”

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Thursday, Sep. 11, 2025

BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS
Winnipeg Jets centre Jonathan Toews admits he dealt with some nerves in his return to pro hockey after being away from the rink for so long, but said it’s good be back on the ice.

Chibrikov looking to put his best foot forward

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Chibrikov looking to put his best foot forward

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Wednesday, Sep. 10, 2025

Much as he tried, Nikita Chibrikov couldn’t stop seeing the instant replay in his head.

A routine move — one he’d done countless times over his hockey career — had devastating results last January when the young Russian forward caught an edge and tore up his knee during a game with the Manitoba Moose.

“For about three months it was behind my eyes. I always remember this unlucky moment,” Chibrikov told the Free Press on Wednesday in a one-on-one chat at the Hockey For All Centre.

Just like that, a promising season — which had included an impactful call-up to the Winnipeg Jets only weeks earlier — was over. Surgery followed, along with an estimated six to nine month recovery process.

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Wednesday, Sep. 10, 2025

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS
Winger Nikita Chibrikov made the request to suit up for the Winnipeg Jets in the Prospect Showdown games in Montreal because he’s been recovering from his knee injury since January and is eager to play in game action.

Sense of enthusiasm building as Jets roll back into town

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Sense of enthusiasm building as Jets roll back into town

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Friday, Sep. 5, 2025

Although he’s only been back in town for a few days, Luke Schenn has a much better sense of the road ahead as he prepares for his first full season with the Winnipeg Jets.

After coming over in a trade with the Nashville Predators at the deadline in March, Schenn was thankful for the opportunity to join a Stanley Cup contender for the stretch run and thrilled with how his new teammates and the organization went out of their way to make him feel welcome.

But learning a new system on the fly and trying to integrate himself into the lineup — with his wife and three kids remaining back in Tennessee — was by his own admission “overwhelming at times.”

Now with his family in tow, as he prepares for his 18th NHL season, the veteran defenceman is coming into training camp with ample enthusiasm.

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Friday, Sep. 5, 2025

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Jets defenceman Luke Schenn is coming into training camp with an itch as the veteran prepares for his 18th NHL season and his first full season with the club.

Ken Wiebe 2 minute read Friday, Sep. 5, 2025

The Winnipeg Jets’ roster for the 2025 Prospect Showdown in Montreal includes a number of top prospects.

Among the players suiting up are goalie Domenic DiVincentiis, defenceman Elias Salomonsson and forwards Brayden Yager, Colby Barlow, Kevin He, Jacob Julien, Kieron Walton, Oakbank product Owen Martin and Nikita Chibrikov — who is working his way back from a season-ending ankle injury.

This group will skate twice in Winnipeg next week at Hockey for all Centre before competing in game action against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday at 6 p.m. and the Ottawa Senators on Sunday at 6 p.m.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are the fourth team participating in the event, which replaces the Young Stars Classic, which was held in Penticton, B.C., and included the Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames.

Deal to make Connor latest ‘Jet for life’ priority on roster docket

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Preview

Deal to make Connor latest ‘Jet for life’ priority on roster docket

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Monday, Aug. 25, 2025

Provided he’s willing to put pen to paper — and there’s been no reason to suggest that’s not going to be the case — Kyle Connor is set to sign the richest contract in Winnipeg Jets’ history.

Although there’s still more than 10 months to go before the smooth-skating left-winger is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent, getting a deal that makes Connor the latest “Jet for life” is the top priority for Kevin Cheveldayoff and company.

It’s already been an eventful summer for the Jets general manager, with the roster in flux a bit more than in previous seasons.

But the majority of the core group is under contract for multiple seasons and getting Connor and captain Adam Lowry locked up on new deals would wrap up a pretty productive summer as it pertains to personnel.

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Monday, Aug. 25, 2025

Frank Franklin II / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Jets left-winger Kyle Connor’s new contract would eclipse the matching seven-year deals that fellow foundational pillars Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele signed back in October 2023.

Former Jets captain officially hangs up blades

Free Press staff 2 minute read Preview

Former Jets captain officially hangs up blades

Free Press staff 2 minute read Saturday, Jul. 19, 2025

He’d been out of the game for a while, and the end came for a Winnipeg Jets 2.0 legend on Saturday.

The team’s long-time captain, Blake Wheeler, announced his retirement from the NHL after 16 NHL seasons.

Wheeler, 38, hadn’t played a game since the 2023-24 season when he put up nine goals and 21 points in 54 games with the New York Rangers. His regular season was cut short when he was injured on Feb 15, but he did suit up for one playoff game on May 28 against the Florida Panthers. It would be his only playoff appearance that season.

Wheeler played 13 seasons with the Jets/Thrashers franchise, and was its captain from 2016 to 2022. Wheeler was taken fifth overall in the 2004 draft by the Phoenix Coyotes. He played 1,172 NHL games for the Boston Bruins, Atlanta Thrashers, Jets and Rangers and put up 943 points (321 goals and 622 assists). He also recorded 10 goals and 45 points in 66 playoff games.

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Saturday, Jul. 19, 2025

Winnipeg Jets right wing Blake Wheeler (26) celebrates his goal during first period NHL hockey action against the Toronto Maple Leafs, in Toronto, Thursday, March 31, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Jets sign defenceman Isaak Phillips

Ken Wiebe 2 minute read Friday, Jul. 11, 2025

The Winnipeg Jets have agreed to terms with depth defenceman Isaak Phillips on a two-year, two-way contract, the team announced on Friday afternoon.

Phillips, 23, was a restricted free agent and recorded two goals and 10 points in 56 career games with the Chicago Blackhawks and has 26 goals and 87 points in 239 American Hockey League games with the Manitoba Moose and Rockford IceHogs.

Phillips plays a physical game and will be counted on by the Moose and could work himself into a call-up situation because of his robust style of play.

The deal for Phillips carries an AAV of US$812,5000 in the NHL — US$775,000 in the first season and US$850,000 in the second.

Looking ahead to training camp

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Preview

Looking ahead to training camp

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Thursday, Jul. 10, 2025

Is it October yet?

Now that most teams around the NHL are throttling down slightly to off-season mode after the flurry of activity that is the NHL draft, free agency and development camp, it’s time to take stock of the Winnipeg Jets and peer into the crystal ball to project what things might look like once training camp arrives.

To be clear, there are still pressing matters for Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, primarily as it pertains to the three restricted free agents that elected to file for salary arbitration last week: defenceman Dylan Samberg and forwards Gabe Vilardi and Morgan Barron.

As Cheveldayoff mentioned at the Jonathan Toews press conference last week, those moves were expected and fall more into the procedural category rather than any cause for concern.

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Thursday, Jul. 10, 2025

September 20, 2025

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