Top of their (NHL draft) class

There is no doubt Kevin Cheveldayoff will be fielding a lot of calls during the coming days — and not all of them will be related to Connor Hellebuyck.

With the 2026 NHL Draft just a few days away, the Jets currently hold the eighth overall pick, which represents the highest choice they’ve had since Cole Perfetti went 10th overall in 2020.

It’s actually just the sixth time in 15 seasons since the franchise relocated in 2011 that the Jets have chosen in the Top-10, with Patrik Laine being the highest pick, at second overall, in 2016.

Provided they keep and ultimately make this pick, the Jets should add an impact player that could grow into a core piece.

The one fly in the ointment is that the player might not be ready to jump right into the Jets lineup this fall.

There have been some suggestions the Jets could move the pick for immediate help to bolster a core that features several players ranging between the ages of 29 to 33, but Cheveldayoff also needs to be cognizant of augmenting that group with some younger talent for the longer term.

It’s possible the Jets could look to move up in the draft, though the cost to do so is usually pretty high — but that’s where Hellebuyck could come in.

The San Jose Sharks hold the second overall pick and it’s easy to see a scenario where general manager Mike Grier sees the value in adding Hellebuyck between the pipes for a team that employs rising star Macklin Celebrini.

The Sharks also added the ninth overall pick from the Ottawa Senators, so that pick could be in play as well if Grier seeks more immediate help.

The Seattle Kraken are slated to pick seventh and are looking for more immediate help, so they might be open to swapping spots with the Jets if they made it worth their while.

The interesting thing about the Kraken is that they appear to be open to listening for offers on centre Shane Wright, the fourth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.

There’s also a scenario where the Jets look to move back slightly in an effort to add draft capital, but the reward for the pain of finishing 27th overall is a Top-10 pick, so moving down even a few spots appears unlikely.

Although there still could be a few twists and turns, here’s a look at a six-pack of players the Jets could end up with at eighth overall:

 

Viggo Bjorck

Position: Centre/Right wing

Height: 5-9

Weight: 180 pounds

Shoots: Right

The skinny: For a team seeking to upgrade the speed and skill level, Bjorck is a dynamic offensive force who is also responsible defensively. He was a leader with Sweden’s world junior team that won a gold medal in Minnesota in January and he also made a strong contribution at the men’s worlds last month. Don’t be the least bit concerned about his size, given the tenacious nature of his style of play. He’s versatile enough to play on the wall or down the middle, but given the Jets search for a 2C, Bjorck could be a perfect fit in that spot.

 

Daxon Rudolph

Position: Defence

Height: 6-3

Weight: 206 pounds

Shoots: Right

The skinny: The Prince Albert Raiders blue-liner had an outstanding campaign, leading his team to the Western Hockey League final after producing 28 goals and 78 points in 68 games before adding nine goals and 27 points in 19 playoff games. He’s a strong puck mover with a big shot. He’s also sound defensively and plays with an edge, exuding top-pairing potential. He’s someone who would bolster the organizational depth on the right side of the defence corps.

 

Alberts Smits

Position: Defence

Height: 6-3

Weight: 209 pounds

Shoots: Left

The skinny: Not many — if any — players in his draft class had the variety pack of experiences that the Latvian blue-liner did. Not only did he represent his country and the World Junior Hockey Championship, the Olympics and the IIHF men’s worlds, he also suited up in the top men’s league in both Finland and Germany. He might not be as dynamic offensively as some of his counterparts, but he’s an excellent defender that can play with pace and also provides a physical element to his all-around game. Smits is viewed by many as the most NHL-ready player and was recently given the EJ McGuire Award, which is handed out annually to the draft prospect “who best exemplifies commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness, and athleticism.”

 

Alexander Command

Position: Centre

Height: 6-1

Weight: 187 pounds

Shoots: Left

The skinny: The Swedish pivot was a linemate of Bjorck’s at the world junior and the primary reason Bjorck was used at right wing on a squad that won the gold medal. Command projects to be a two-way centre that is dependable in all three zones, skates well and makes sound decisions. He plays a game that resembles Florida Panthers centre Anton Lundell and that means he will be in demand for all teams looking to get stronger down the middle.

Wyatt Cullen

Position: Left wing

Height: 6-1

Weight: 183 pounds

Shoots: Left

The skinny: Cullen is one of the risers in this draft and he also happens to have NHL bloodlines, as his father Matt was a longtime NHL centre and three-time Stanley Cup champion. Cullen is gifted offensively, maximizing his explosive speed while possessing high-end vision, passing and finishing ability. Cullen capped his season with a strong showing at the U18 Worlds, chipping in nine points. Wyatt’s uncle Mark also played centre for the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League, so he would have a good handle on how the Jets operate as an organization.

 

Keaton Verhoeff

Position: Defence

Height: 6-4

Weight: 215 pounds

Shoots: Right

The skinny: The University of North Dakota D-man won’t likely be available at eighth overall, so he’s someone that would likely require the Jets to move into the Top-5. Moving to the NCAA level as a 17-year-old is no easy task, but Verhoeff got better and better as the season moved along. He’s got a high-end ceiling, landing somewhere in the vicinity of Alex Pietrangelo and Aaron Ekblad, according to some observers. Verhoeff brings a bomb from the point and recorded 21 goals and 45 points with the Victoria Royals of the WHL during the 2024-25 season. He could go as early as second overall or slide to six or seventh.

winnipegfreepress.com/kenwiebe