Winnipeg Jets’ 2026 Offseason: Next Steps After Draft & Free-Agent Frenzy

The Winnipeg Jets’ 2026 offseason got off to a busy start, drafting Swedish centre Viggo Bjorck eighth overall at the 2026 NHL Entry Draft along with six other players then making a number of signings in free agency’s opening days, most notably defenseman Mario Ferraro and goaltender Stuart Skinner.

Jets general manager (GM) Kevin Cheveldayoff called Ferraro and Skinner his “number-one targets”, but since it’s only early July, there’s still much for he and the organization to do ahead of the 2026-27 season. Let’s look at the next steps for their offseason.

1: Re-Sign Cole Perfetti

Current restricted free agent Cole Perfetti took a step back last season offensively, recording just 32 points (12 goals, 20 assists) compared to a career-high 50 (18 goals and 32 assists) in 2024-25. That said, his new contract will still command a decent chunk of the Jets’ remaining $10.68 million in available cap space.

Re-signing him well before training camp should be Cheveldayoff’s biggest priority going forward.

Perfetti filed for arbitration on July 5 as expected; it’s simply procedural and doesn’t mean there’s any bad blood brewing, with Cheveldayoff cautioning last week “don’t get too excited… it’s just part of the whole thing.” He and Perfetti’s representation are free to continue to negotiate until the yet-to-be-scheduled arbitration date.

Perfetti missed the first 14 games of last season with a high-ankle sprain he suffered in the team’s final preseason game, and even though he returned in November, he did not look comfortable until the new year. He admitted in his exit interview he came back from injury “a hair too early” and that it “took awhile” to get back up to speed.

The 2020 first-rounder hasn’t exactly put himself in the best situation to justify a significant raise from the $3.25 million annual average value (AAV) his expired two-year bridge held. However, a longer-term deal still seems on the table and would likely carry a $5-$6 million AAV.

“That (getting a long-term deal) would be a real honour to have the team show that and express that faith in you as a player and as a person,” Perfetti said in April. “(That) they want you to be here long term. That they want you to be a player within this organization for the future. But obviously, I can’t speak for their side. I know where I stand, but can’t speak for them.”

2: Target Remaining Unrestricted Free Agents & Explore Trades

While the majority of the high-profile UFAs have signed by now, a number of potentially-useful players remain on the market.

Considering the need to re-sign Perfetti, Cheveldayoff is really working with $4 or $5 million when it comes to bringing another UFA or two on board. If he is still committed to spending up to the cap ($104 million) and still believes his team can get back to competitiveness despite the down 2025-26, he should use every dollar at his disposal.

Anthony Mantha is the top UFA forward available, and while his numbers have varied wildly from season to season, he is coming off a resurgent campaign with the Pittsburgh Penguins where he posted a career-high 33 goals and 64 points. The 31 year old right winger could be a really nice addition to the Jets’ middle six and provide some of the secondary scoring they were sorely lacking last season.

Other UFA forwards available who could both move the needle and fit within the cap space available include Eeli Tolvanen (36 points for the Seattle Kraken last season) and Michael Bunting (33 points between the Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars).

Or, how about Patrik Laine on a cheap base contract with performance incentives? Bringing back the Jets second-overall 2016 pick and fan favourite would be a great public relations move, if nothing else.

Cheveldayoff should also explore getting centre and 2021 fourth-overall pick Shane Wright out of Seattle. The Kraken are actively shopping the 22 year old and the Jets were connected to him ahead of the 2026 Trade Deadline. While Wright hasn’t lived up to expectations yet with 78 points in 169-career games, he could benefit from a change of scenery and would be affordable as he still has one year remaining on his entry-level contract.

3: Keep Listening on Hellebuyck

Connor Hellebuyck remains a Jet despite all the chatter and Kevin Weekes’ weird and misleading eyeballs Twitter/X post. While Cheveldayoff doesn’t have to trade him, he should keep listening to offers as if he can get a windfall for a 33-year-old goaltender who will likely begin his decline in the next few seasons if it hasn’t begun already, he should.

While there’s been no credible reporting that Hellebuyck — who has five years left on his contract — has actually requested a trade, many perceived his exit-interview comments as a sign he wanted out and Cheveldayoff ground the rumour mill further late last month by saying he was listening to proposals.

The Buffalo Sabres and Carolina Hurricanes have made offers, but Cheveldayoff said last month none of what he’s heard so far has been good enough to act on. It’s clear his ask for the three-time Vezina Trophy winner and 2025 Hart Trophy winner is justifiably very high; signing Skinner also gives him the flexibility to explore trades that don’t include an experienced goalie coming back as part of the return package.

While there’s still a ways to go before the 2026-27 season, training camp is only two months out. The regular-season schedule release is also coming up on July 16.