Long to-do list for Jets

They have holes to fill, money to spend and questions to answer.

But the biggest one heading into July 1 hangs over the Winnipeg Jets like the dark clouds that have become a fixture around here lately: Is Connor Hellebuyck staying or going?

Clarity on that potentially stormy situation will shape much of general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff’s summer to-do list.

Hellebuyck made it clear during his year-end media availability that he needs to see significant roster improvements around him, seemingly putting enormous pressure on Cheveldayoff to begin delivering when free agency opens Wednesday.

But if Hellebuyck is shipped out — talks with the Buffalo Sabres remain ongoing after a deal nearly came together last Friday — the temperature likely comes down a few degrees for an organization that would otherwise be in “win now or else” mode.

Regardless of how it plays out, the Jets need to find a way to take a step forward after a disappointing campaign that saw them finish 27th overall, just one year removed from winning the Presidents’ Trophy.

According to PuckPedia, Winnipeg has 17 players under contract who would qualify as NHL regulars from last season. That includes Hellebuyck and leaves the Jets with approximately US$22 million in cap space and six open roster spots.

One of those vacancies will be filled by restricted free agent Cole Perfetti, assuming he isn’t traded, and his new contract will take a bite out of Winnipeg’s wallet. But there should still be plenty left to work with.

Sure, the remaining holes could be filled internally by prospects and depth players already in the system. It’s also possible trades — whether Hellebuyck related or not — become the preferred route for improvement in the coming weeks.

However, there will be options to consider in free agency. Here’s a look at some players who could be on Winnipeg’s radar.

FORWARDS:

The draft addition of Viggo Bjorck and the likes of young prospects Isak Rosen, Brad Lambert, Brayden Yager, Danny Zhilkin and Nikita Chibrikov means there should be plenty of internal competition for jobs. But it still feels like the Jets could use a big established weapon for the top six and perhaps some additional veteran depth in the bottom six.

RW/LW ANTHONY MANTHA

Age: 31

AAV IN 2025-26: US$2.5 million

2025-26 stats: 81GP, 33G, 31A, 64P with Pittsburgh

The skinny: He’s due a big raise after a massive season in Pittsburgh and would certainly add some scoring punch to a team that could desperately use it. He also adds plenty of size — 6-5, 240 pounds — and could really bolster Winnipeg’s top six.

LW MASON MARCHMENT

Age: 31

AAV IN 2025-26: US$4.5 million

2025-26 stats: 68 GP, 19G, 26A, 45P with Seattle and Columbus

The skinny: He plays with an edge and has plenty of offensive pop. The Jets could use a player like him.

C/RW JACK ROSLOVIC

Age: 29

AAV IN 2025-26: $US1.5 million

2025-26 stats: 69 GP, 21G, 15A, 36P with Edmonton

The skinny: Hello, old friend. Roslovic’s biggest downside is consistency, but he’s proven to be a valuable player when his game is on.

LW/RW PATRIK LAINE

Age: 28

AAV IN 2025-26: US$8.7 million

2025-26 stats: 5GP, 0G, 1A, 1P with Montreal

The skinny: Speaking of reunions, wouldn’t this be something? No question the second-overall pick from 2016 is getting a cheap, incentive-laden contract, and why not bring him back to the place where he enjoyed his greatest success.

LW/RW ILYA MIKHEYEV

Age: 31

AAV IN 2025-26: US$4.15 million

2025-26 stats: 77 GP, 18G, 18A, 36P with Chicago

The skinny: He’s one of the fastest skaters in the league, can kill penalties and still has a nose for the net.

RW OLIVER BJORKSTRAND

Age: 31

AAV IN 2025-26: US$5.4 million

2025-26 stats: 80 GP, 12G, 20A, 32P with Tampa Bay

The skinny: He’s got five 20-plus goal seasons under his belt but couldn’t find his stride on a deep Lightning team. Perhaps a change of scenery and a bigger opportunity would unleash his full potential.

LW JADEN SCHWARTZ

Age: 34

AAV IN 2025-26: US$5.5 million

2025-26 stats: 50 GP, 11G, 15A, 26P with Seattle

The skinny: The Saskatchewan product is in for a pay cut but still has enough offence to offer to make him a worthwhile gamble for a team.

DEFENCE:

After acquiring Jack St. Ivany from Pittsburgh for forward David Gustafsson on Monday, the Jets have seven blue-liners under contract for US$26.565 million, which represents 25.5 per cent of the cap. The Jets are likely to add at least one more D-man since Elias Salomonsson is recovering from shoulder surgery and it’s not certain he will be ready to start the season.

JEREMY LAUZON

Age: 29

AAV in 2025-26: US$2 million

2025-26 stats: 68 GP, 1G, 12A, 13P, 89 PIM with Vegas

The skinny: A hard-hitting D-man who racked up 251 hits and has accumulated 1,383 over eight NHL seasons. He’s also someone who can kill penalties, along with bringing some bite to the back end.

CARSON SOUCY

Age: 31

AAV in 2025-26: US$3.25 million

2025-26 stats: 76 GP, 5G, 7A, 12P, 38 PIM with New York Islanders and New York Rangers

The skinny: Best suited for third-pairing minutes, he has 441 games of NHL experience, plus 38 more during the playoffs. He also played at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he was teammates with Neal Pionk and Alex Iafallo.

VINCENT DESHARNAIS

Age: 30

AAV in 2025-26: US$2 million

2025-26 stats: 53 GP, 1G, 6A, 7P, 68 PIM with San Jose

The skinny: Another player that would bring some size to the third pairing and could help clear the front of the net and contribute to the penalty kill. Also has 28 playoff games on his resumé with the Edmonton Oilers.

MARIO FERRARO

Age: 27

AAV in 2025-26: US$3.25 million

2025-26 stats: 82 GP, 7G, 16A, 23P, 35 PIM with San Jose

The skinny: Still searching for his first Stanley Cup playoff game as he prepares for his eighth NHL season, Ferraro was a heart and soul player during the lean years of the Sharks rebuild. He will be looking for a raise and ample term, but he’s someone who plays extremely hard, has averaged north of 21 minutes per game and can help the penalty kill.

GOALIES:

With the future of Hellebuyck and the Jets uncertain, this is an area that will be under the microscope during the coming days. Last season, the Jets spent US$9.35 million on the goaltending position, with Hellebuyck accounting for US$8.5 million. If Hellebuyck is moved, the Jets are likely to go into more of a shared crease situation. There could be two new netminders between the pipes come October either via free agency or trade, with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen a likely return in a Hellebuyck/Buffalo deal and Boston’s Joonas Korpisalo — signed for one more season in Boston — also on Winnipeg’s radar.

ERIC COMRIE

Age: 30

AAV IN 2025-26: US$825,000

2025-26 stats: 25 GP, 12-11-1, 0 SO, 3.13 GAA, .890 SV% with Winnipeg

The skinny: He’s been a reliable partner for Hellebuyck and appeared in a career-high 25 NHL games this past season. It all comes down to whether the Jets believe he’s ready for a heavier workload if Hellebuyck is eventually moved.

STUART SKINNER

Age: 27

AAV in 2025-26: US$2.6 million

2025-26 stats: 50 GP, 23-17-9, 2 SO, 2.91 GAA, .888 SV% with Edmonton and Pittsburgh

The skinny: Although the road was occasionally rocky during the post-season, Skinner has amassed 53 playoff starts during the past four seasons, including two trips to the Stanley Cup final. He outplayed Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger in consecutive Western Conference finals, so a fresh start for a Western Canadian in Western Canada might be worth investigating.

CONNOR INGRAM

Age: 29

AAV in 2025-26: US$1.95 million

2025-26 stats: 32 GP, 16-10-3, 2 SO, 2.60 GAA, .899 SV% with Edmonton

The skinny: The Saskatoon product has been open about his battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder and he helped stabilize the position for the Oilers during the stretch run last season and made five starts in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

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