How do you solve a problem like the Jets’ second-line centre position?

It is the most glaring need — and one of the most difficult things to acquire.

That’s why the Winnipeg Jets once again find themselves in a bit of a quandary when it comes to addressing the second-line centre position this off-season.

Even more pressing is that Jets management is operating on dual tracks — ramping up 2026 NHL Draft preparations, where they currently hold the eighth overall pick, while also doing a lot of due diligence as it pertains to the pro scouting side.

The Jets are just three years removed from a draft week deal that sent Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Los Angeles Kings for a package that included forwards Gabriel Vilardi, Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari and a draft pick that turned into Swedish defence prospect Alfons Freij.

That deal stretched out the Jets depth, but created an issue at 2C that is still seeking an optimal solution.

Jets captain Adam Lowry took the bulk of those minutes during the stretch run, but off-season hip surgery inhibited him from reaching his A-game on a consistent basis and his production dipped from 16 goals to five.

Having said that, Lowry is a strong candidate for a bounce-back season and is just one year removed from anchoring one of the best checking lines in the NHL.

When you look at what Jordan Staal is doing for the Carolina Hurricanes in these playoffs at the age of 37 (he’ll be 38 in September), there’s ample reason to believe Lowry can get back to the level he’s shown previously.

And while Morgan Barron has transitioned nicely to a fourth-line centre role, his speed, tenacity and offensive upside as a power forward make him a good candidate to skate alongside Lowry next season in an expanded role.

After competing in the Calder Cup playoffs with the Manitoba Moose, it’s apparent Danny Zhilkin is hoping to compete for a roster spot and potentially the fourth-line centre job in the fall.

Zhilkin was held off the scoresheet in seven games during the playoffs, but his overall body of work provides plenty of hope for him to graduate to the NHL.

Brayden Yager — who got a late taste with the Jets and had the biggest offensive impact — chipped in four assists in seven games in the Calder Cup playoffs, but it would be a big ask for him to try and slide into the 2C role right now.

Yager projects to be the best internal option, but he needs some additional seasoning and the puck touches that come with playing substantial minutes in the AHL before he’s ready for the responsibility at the next level.

Two centres project to be in the range the Jets are currently scheduled to select in Swedish forward Viggo Bjorck and Tynan Lawrence — who is going back to Boston University this fall for his sophomore season.

While it wouldn’t be impossible for Bjorck to crack the NHL roster in the fall, sticking around as an 18-year-old — even as someone who played against men in the Swedish Hockey League last season — would be a big ask.

That’s why the Jets most likely option for the 2C job is an external candidate.

But it won’t be Charlie Coyle — a past target of the Jets. Coyle came off the board on Tuesday after signing a six-year extension that carries an annual average value of US$6 million to remain with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Let’s take a look at some of the options the Jets might consider:

Connor McMichael

Washington Capitals

Contract status: RFA on July 1

Age: 25

2025-26 stats: 78 GP, 14 G, 32 A, 46 P, 30 PIM

The skinny: There were some whispers around the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas that the Jets were trying to acquire McMichael when Rutger McGroarty made it known he didn’t plan to sign with them. Given the previous interest, it would make sense that the Jets might circle back on a player that has scored 58 goals over the past three seasons, with only eight of those markers coming on the power play. McMichael is below average in the faceoff dot (43.0 per cent career percentage), but he’s a middle-six forward who skates well and has strong hockey sense.

Barrett Hayton

Utah Mammoth

Contract status: RFA on July 1

Age: 25 (26 in June)

2025-26 stats: 67 GP, 10 G, 15 A, 25 P, 54 PIM

The skinny: The fifth overall pick of the 2018 NHL Draft hasn’t proven to be as prolific as was projected, but he’s just one year removed from posting a career-high 20 goals and 46 points. With a number of top prospects in the Mammoth system looking to push for roster spots in the fall, Hayton could be available and while he will be looking for a raise after carrying an AAV of US$2.65 million during the past two seasons, he won’t be breaking the bank either.

Cody Glass

New Jersey Devils

Contract status: One season left at US$2.5 million, then a UFA

Age: 27

2025-26 stats: 70 GP, 19 G, 7 A, 26 P, 39 PIM

The skinny: The Winnipegger isn’t just on this list because he’s from this province. The sixth overall pick of the 2019 NHL Draft is finding his offensive rhythm and is rounding into form. His 19 goals this season was a career high and his 70 games played is just two games shy of his career high 72 played. Glass also posted his best faceoff percentage (54.0 per cent), and since the Jets don’t have a lot of right-handed shooters among the forward group, he would fit that criteria as well.

Kirby Dach

Montreal Canadiens

Contract status: RFA on July 1

Age: 25

2025-26 stats: 37 GP, 8 G, 7 A, 15 P, 31 PIM

The skinny: After battling through injuries for the bulk of his time with the Canadiens during the past four seasons, the six-foot-four, 221-pound forward is making an impact in these playoffs, with four goals and five points in 10 games (going into Game 4 against the Buffalo Sabres). The skill and ability has never been a question and he has the potential to be an impact player if he can string together longer stretches of consistent play and earn an enhanced role.

Tommy Novak

Pittsburgh Penguins

Contract status: One more season at US$3.5 million, then a UFA

Age: 29

2025-26 stats: 82 GP, 16 G, 26 A, 42 P, 24 PIM

The skinny: The Jets are familiar with the smooth skater from his previous time with the Nashville Predators and, while he might be hard-pressed to be a 50-point guy, he’s involved in all three zones and skates very well. His 42 points this past season would have left him fifth on the Jets in scoring.

Kent Johnson

Columbus Blue Jackets

Contract status: RFA on July 1

Age: 23 (24 in October)

2025-26 stats: 76 GP, 7 G, 15 A, 22 P, 20 PIM

The skinny: The fifth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft is coming off the least productive season of his career and he was a healthy scratch when the Jets played in Ohio in April. He hasn’t played much centre at the NHL level, but he brings plenty of creativity and he’s one year removed from a career-best 24 goals and 57 points in 68 games.

Jack Roslovic

Edmonton Oilers

Age: 29

Contract status: UFA on July 1

2025-26 stats: 69 GP, 21 G, 15 A, 36 P, 16 PIM

The skinny: The 25th overall pick of the Jets back in 2015 has bounced around a lot since the Jets moved him to his hometown team, the Blue Jackets, in the blockbuster deal with Patrik Laine for Dubois. Although he had a quiet playoffs for the Oilers with one assist in six games, Roslovic has the speed and finishing ability the Jets were often lacking this past season. He’s someone who can play centre or wing and he’s going to be looking for some stability on a multi-year deal this summer. Although things didn’t end well in Winnipeg when he was a restricted free agent, Roslovic would likely be open for a chance to re-write the narrative.

winnipegfreepress.com/kenwiebe