Jets set for free agency opening with questions to answer

The expectation is that the biggest splash has already been made by the Winnipeg Jets, but that doesn’t mean the official opening of free agency on Tuesday will be entirely quiet either.

With the services of Jonathan Toews already secured and the contract set to be filed on July 1, the Jets will be turning their attention to augmenting the roster.

The biggest question left to answer is what will happen with pending UFA forward Nikolaj Ehlers, and while Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said last week that discussions will continue until he’s either saying congratulations or thank you, the likelihood of the dynamic Dane remaining in the fold seems to be dwindling.

Should Ehlers depart in free agency, a deal with the Carolina Hurricanes seems to be the most likely destination — though there will be a lengthy line of suitors willing to offer a multiyear deal north of $8.5 million.

If Ehlers moves on after a decade in the NHL, it leaves a gaping hole on a second line that could include Toews and Cole Perfetti.

Brock Boeser is a name that makes a lot of sense, but can the Jets win a bidding war for his services given the competition that will be there for him as well?

That remains to be seen.

Then there’s the matter of sniper Kyle Connor and captain Adam Lowry being eligible to sign contract extensions as of Tuesday.

Is this something that gets taken care of quickly or might it take a bit more time?

The expectation is that both deals get done before the season begins, as both Connor and Lowry appear interested in being lifetime Jets.

It’s not impossible that forwards Mason Appleton and Brandon Tanev could stick around, but most signs point to them finding new teams during the coming days — though both players enjoyed their time with the Jets.

By extending defenceman Haydn Fleury, the Jets seem mostly set on the back end — other than getting a new deal done for pending restricted free agent Dylan Samberg.

The Jets actually have a surplus of NHL D-men, so there could be a move coming with one of them to shore up for the forward group as well.

While the Jets look strong in goal with Connor Hellebuyck and Eric Comrie at the NHL and prospects Thomas Milic and Dom DiVincentiis in the system, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Winnipeg pursue a veteran to share the crease with them on the Manitoba Moose and serve as the No. 3 guy on the depth chart.

Speaking of the Moose, after a tough season, signing a few quality depth players that could bounce between the NHL and AHL is likely on the to-do list as well in order to provide a bit more offensive talent and insulation for some of the top prospects.

So while the Jets won’t likely be shopping in the high-priced aisle that includes defenceman Aaron Ekblad or feisty forward Brad Marchand, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be sitting on the sidelines either come Tuesday.

With that in mind, here’s a look at some players that could be on the Jets’ radar for some of the aforementioned vacancies:

Brock Boeser

Position: Right wing

Age: 28

2024-25 stats: 75 GP, 25 G, 25 A, 50 P, 3 GWG, 145 SOG, 18:10 TOI

AAV last season: $6.65 million

The skinny: The six-time 20-goal scorer will be in high demand, especially being just two years removed from posting career-highs in goals (40) and points (73). The “down” season Boeser is coming off of still included 25 goals and 50 points — with nine goals and 20 points coming on the power play. The Jets have been watching Boeser since he played in Grand Forks at the University of North Dakota and he could help fill a hole up front. His 29 games of playoff experience would also be welcome for a team looking to take the next steps in the post-season.

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Andrew Mangiapane

Position: Left wing

Age: 29

2024-25 stats: 81 GP, 14 G, 14 A, 28 P, 3 GWG, 95 SOG, 13:02 TOI

AAV last season: $5.8 million

The skinny: A tenacious forechecker who goes to the hard areas that could supply secondary scoring and contribute to the second power play. The feisty forward has delivered 14 or more goals in six consecutive seasons, including a 35-goal, 55-point campaign with the Calgary Flames in 2021-22. He fit in well with the Washington Capitals last season and could do the same with the Jets.

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Victor Olofsson

Position: Left/right wing

Age: 30 on July 18

2024-25 stats: 56 GP, 15 G, 14 A, 29 P, 4 GWG, 109 SOG, 14:30 TOI

AAV last season: $1.075 million

The skinny: A strong skater with an excellent shot, Olofsson scored six times on the power play last season. Although he still needs to improve his play away from the puck, he took some steps with his two-way game under Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy. Olofsson might not get to market, but if he does, the Jets could be a fit, given the middle-six minutes that could be available.

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Anthony Mantha

Position: Right wing

Age: 30

2024-25 stats: 13 GP, 4 G, 3 A, 7 P, 15 SOG, 1 GWG, 13:54 TOI

AAV last season: $3.5 million

The skinny: A knee injury forced the 6-foot-5, 234-pound winger to miss the majority of the season, but the Jets have been linked to the player in the past and there could be an opportunity for him to re-establish himself as a middle-six winger on a show-me contract. He’s been a high-volume shooter for most of his career, eclipsing 100 shots on goal nine times, including registering 198 with the Detroit Red Wings in 2018-19.

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Nick Bjugstad

Position: Centre/right wing

Age: 33 on July 17

2024-25 stats: 66 GP, 8 G, 11 A, 19 P, 115 SOG, 0 GWG, 12:19 TOI

AAV last season: $2.1 million

The skinny: A right-handed shooter forward who’s previously been linked to the Jets, he offers the versatility of being able to be used in middle or on the wing, He also brings size (6-foot-5, 205 pounds) and has recorded 99 or more hits in eight of his 13 NHL seasons. Would likely be used mostly in a fourth-line role.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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