The air is getting crisp, the leaves are turning, and the familiar sounds of skates carving ice and pucks hitting boards are growing more intense. For hockey fans, it means one thing: the NHL season is just around the corner. For the Winnipeg Jets’ front office and coaching staff, it means decision time. The annual, often brutal, process of trimming the training camp roster is nearing its conclusion, and with a flurry of recent moves, the picture for opening night is becoming much clearer, though no less intriguing.
The Waived and the Departed: Tough Choices Solidify the Core
Every training camp is a story of hope and opportunity, but it’s also a story of harsh realities. This week, that reality hit home for several players on the bubble. The Jets brass made seven significant cuts, whittling the roster down to 28 healthy bodies and setting the stage for the final, agonizing decisions that will bring them to the league-mandated 23-man limit.
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Three veterans found themselves on the waiver wire, a precarious position where any of the other 31 NHL clubs could snap them up. Forwards Jaret Anderson-Dolan and Samuel Fagemo, along with defenseman Kale Clague, now wait to see if their immediate future lies with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose or in a new city altogether. Fagemo, who potted an impressive 29 goals in the AHL last season, and Clague, who tallied a respectable 39 points from the blue line, are particularly interesting names that could draw attention from teams seeking organizational depth.
While the veterans face uncertainty, the kids are heading back for more seasoning. Top prospects Colby Barlow and Elias Salomonsson were returned to their respective junior and minor league clubs. Brayden Yager, the highly-touted 14th overall pick from 2023, is also AHL-bound, a move that signals the organization’s commitment to his long-term development rather than rushing him into the NHL fire.
These demotions, alongside those of preseason standout Danny Zhilkin and others, weren’t necessarily a reflection of poor play, but rather a testament to the depth and competition within the Jets’ system. The message is clear: the future is bright, but the present belongs to those who have earned it.
The Injury Bug Bites Early: Roster Certainty Thrown into Flux
Just as the roster battles seemed to be resolving themselves, the injury gods threw a couple of curveballs, creating both headaches and opportunities. The absence of key veterans Adam Lowry and Dylan Samberg has immediate and significant ripple effects throughout the lineup.
On the back end, Dylan Samberg’s broken wrist, an injury expected to sideline him for six to eight weeks, cracks the door wide open for Haydn Fleury. Fleury will now get a legitimate shot to prove he can handle second-pairing minutes alongside the offensively-inclined Neal Pionk. This unfortunate turn of events also solidifies the roles of Colin Miller and Ville Heinola as the team’s primary depth options. They will be the next men up, ready to step in and fill the void. Meanwhile, the towering presence of Logan Stanley and the veteran grit of Luke Schenn appear locked in as the third pairing, a duo designed to make life miserable for opposing forwards in the defensive zone.
Up front, the situation is even more critical. Adam Lowry’s hip surgery, with a targeted return in November, leaves a gaping hole in the middle of the ice. This puts immense pressure on the newly-acquired Jonathan Toews. The three-time Stanley Cup champion, returning to the NHL after a two-year hiatus, is now likely to be thrust into the second-line center role right out of the gate. It’s a trial-by-fire scenario for a player looking to prove he still has what it takes to compete at an elite level.
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The Final Frontier: A Four-Way Battle for the Fourth Line
With the top-nine forward group largely set, all eyes now turn to the fourth line, where one of the most compelling roster battles is set to reach its climax. Two starting jobs are up for grabs, and four hungry players are vying for them.
In one corner, you have the prospects. Nikita Chibrikov and Parker Ford have both used the preseason to make a powerful statement. Their speed, skill, and tenacity have been impossible to ignore, forcing management to give them a long, hard look. They represent the youth movement, the next wave of Jets talent pushing for a permanent spot.
In the other corner are the veterans, David Gustafsson and Walker Duehr. Both have NHL experience and are known quantities, reliable bottom-six grinders who understand the rigors of the pro game. They offer a steady, predictable presence that coaches often value for a fourth-line role.
As the final cuts loom, the pressure has never been higher. For the players on the bubble, it’s one last chance to make an impression. For the fans, it’s a tantalizing preview of the tough, competitive team the Jets aim to be in 2025-26.
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