‘We’ll see how summer unfolds’

The work is far from over, and the biggest question facing his franchise has yet to be answered.

But Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff believes his hockey club took significant steps in the right direction during a busy week that helped reshape the roster.

It began with the selection of Swedish centre Viggo Bjorck eighth overall in last Friday’s NHL draft, then continued when the Jets landed goaltender Stuart Skinner and defenceman Mario Ferraro as free agency opened on Canada Day.

“We set out to fill a few of the boxes that we needed,” Cheveldayoff said Friday as he spoke with media following the conclusion of Winnipeg’s week-long development camp at Hockey For All Centre.

“On July 1, you have a unique opportunity to add to your organization without having to give up anything. Generally speaking, it’s a tough day for us when you try to go after your No. 1 targets. But we were able to land both of our No. 1 targets in each position (goal and defence).”

Winnipeg also added depth with blue-liners Jack St. Ivany and Henry Thrun, along with forward Noah Gregor, all with one objective in mind.

“We’re looking to get faster. All the signings we made on the skater side of it can skate,” said Cheveldayoff.

“There’s going to be a lot of changes to this team when you come to training camp and see the different things out there. I think we’re a much faster team.”

Last summer, the Jets added veterans Jonathan Toews, Tanner Pearson and Gustav Nyquist in free agency which made the team older and slower. There’s been no such moves this summer — and it sounds like recent hockey history has proven to be a good teacher.

“July 1 can be a good day for you sometimes. July 1 can also be something where you wake up the next day and say, ‘What did I just do?’” said Cheveldayoff.

“We’re fortunate that we woke up and we’re still pretty excited about the things we did on July 1.”

So, time to put the feet up and head to the cottage for some rest and relaxation? Hardly.

The biggest piece of business still looming is Connor Hellebuyck. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner and former Hart Trophy winner has made it clear he wants to play for a Stanley Cup contender south of the border. Cheveldayoff has acknowledged he’s listening to offers but, at least publicly, isn’t tipping his hand.

“Connor Hellebuyck is a Winnipeg Jet and there is really no update at this point and time,” he said Friday.

Still, the addition of Skinner would appear to be another indication the organization is preparing for life without its franchise goaltender. After all, the Jets identified a netminder who has started at least 50 games in each of the past four seasons as their No. 1 free-agent target.

“We’re really excited to get Stu,” said Cheveldayoff.

“He’s someone that I know, talking to (goalie coach) Wade Flaherty over the years, is a player he’s always talked about and felt if he had a chance to work with, could do some really good things.”

As for Ferraro, he gives the Jets something they desperately needed — a mobile, shot-blocking defenceman with size and snarl.

“He’s a good all-around player. He can move, he can skate, he really competes,” said Cheveldayoff.

The forward group has seen more subtraction than addition, with Toews retiring and Nyquist not being re-signed. That could change if a Hellebuyck trade ultimately brings back NHL-ready talent, while the Jets are also banking on several returning players rebounding from disappointing or injury-plagued seasons.

“There’s lots of guys that, when you talk to them even after their exit interviews and stuff like that, they had some down years and they’re looking forward to trying to get back to the levels that they were at before. Whether it was injury wise or for whatever reasons, those are the things that you’re looking for come September,” said Cheveldayoff.

At the top of that list would be Cole Perfetti, a pending restricted free agent who suffered a high ankle sprain in training camp which dogged him all year. Getting a new deal inked with the 24-year-old author of the “Manitoba Miracle” goal is probably right underneath Hellebuyck’s status on Cheveldayoff’s to-do list.

“It’s a different phase of contract now where he has arbitration rights,” said Cheveldayoff.

“If we don’t have a deal done by (July 5) I would assume he would file for arbitration. It’s a natural process, and if he does, don’t get too excited. It’s part of the whole thing. It gives you guys something to talk about.”

Another candidate for a bounce-back season is captain Adam Lowry, whose recovery from off-season hip surgery limited his ability to properly prepare last summer. The 33-year-old has been training in Winnipeg this off-season and spent time this week mentoring prospects at development camp.

“Talk about commitment and professionalism and what it takes to be a pro athlete, obviously he was part of our first draft class here and came through these type of development situations,” said Cheveldayoff.

“I think it probably really made an impression on him when veteran players showed interest and cared about younger players at this stage of it. Adam went through a tough summer last year. When you can’t train the way you normally train during the summer, sometimes it takes some time to come back.”

The Jets are also counting on a wave of young talent — including Isak Rosen, Brad Lambert, Brayden Yager, Nikita Chibrikov and Colby Barlow — to push for jobs this fall.

“We’ve got some younger players that need to have a good off-season to take the next steps with the Jets as well,” said Cheveldayoff.

“We’ll see how summer unfolds. It seems early, but it’s a different phase of summer now. I think the last two weeks was a sprint. And I think everyone will take a little bit of a deep breath now and re-evaluate.”

While the roster is evolving, the organization’s expectations are not.

“The plan is still to win,” said Cheveldayoff of a group that finished 27th overall last season after winning the Presidents’ Trophy in 2024-25.

NO DEAL FOR DOAN

A recent visit by former Jets 1.0 player turned NHL executive Shane Doan has not, at least for now, resulted in a job within the organization.

Doan spent the past three seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a special advisor to general manager Brad Treliving, who was fired and replaced by John Chayka. That led to a mutual parting of ways, as Doan’s contract was set to expire.

The 49-year-old met with team owner Mark Chipman last month as he pondered his next move. Sources told the Free Press a potential management role was discussed but it has yet to materialize.

“I’m not sure there’s anything more to that than just a visit,” Cheveldayoff said Friday.

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