Memorable Jets debut for Mercer

It didn’t take Dawson Mercer long to find out what a friendly Manitoba reception looks — and sounds – like.

The newest member of the Winnipeg Jets was taken aback when the public address announcer singled him out on the walk to the ice at Princess Auto Stadium, prompting the crowd to provide a warm ovation for Mercer prior to the 2026 Heritage Classic game with the Montreal Canadiens.

“It kind of caught me off guard when I got introduced when I was walking out there, so that was pretty good to get that welcome,” said Mercer, who was acquired from the New Jersey Devils in Friday’s blockbuster deal for Connor Hellebuyck. “Having the Jets flyover was pretty sick. That was pretty memorable also.”

Although he was held off the scoresheet in Sunday’s 2-1 loss, Mercer made a favourable first impression, taking 20 shifts for 15:22 of ice time, recording two shots on goal and a blocked shot while skating alongside captain Adam Lowry and Isak Rosen (who scored the lone goal for the Jets).

‘Tough part of the business’

Relief? Regret? Rage?

How are the Winnipeg Jets feeling following Friday’s Connor Hellebuyck trade — particularly those with deep roots and strong bonds with the franchise goaltender who now finds himself a member of the New Jersey Devils?

“It was a bit of a cloud hanging over our heads,” captain Adam Lowry admitted on Saturday. “It’s nice we can look forward now. We don’t have to keep talking about it. We’ve got guys that want to be here.”

That was a bit of a common theme around the room following an outdoor practice at Princess Auto Stadium ahead of Sunday’s Heritage Classic game against the Montreal Canadiens.

Dustin Byfuglien gets warm welcome at alumni game

To say that Dustin Byfuglien wasn’t a fan of the spotlight is an understatement of epic proportions.

The guy with the personality that was larger than life preferred to keep that side of him mostly contained behind the hallowed halls of the Winnipeg Jets locker room.

Since he unexpectedly stepped away from the game in the fall of 2019, Byfuglien has limited his rare interviews to discussions about fishing, happily leaving the NHL game in his rearview mirror.

But on Saturday morning, there was Byfuglien standing in the newly-renovated Jets’ dressing room, holding court with a group of reporters hanging on his every word prior to the alumni game that was part of the 2026 Heritage Classic.

Connor Hellebuyck breaks silence after trade from Jets

It took until the very end of his introductory news conference Saturday — right around the 15-minute mark — before Connor Hellebuyck was finally asked the question that hockey fans back in Winnipeg were likely waiting for.

“Is there anything you’d like to say to Jets fans?” a reporter who covers Hellebuyck’s new team, the New Jersey Devils, put to him during the session held inside the Prudential Center in Newark.

A short pause followed.

“I mean, there’s a lot. There’s a lot that I need to say,” Hellebuyck began, no doubt raising plenty of eyebrows around here and the hockey world in general.

Sun sets on Hellebuyck era

Now that the Connor Hellebuyck era of the Jets has finally concluded, what impact will the departure have on the netminder’s legacy?

Well, it’s a complex answer and one that could change with the benefit of time and a side order of sober second thought.

Given how raw things are right now and how things quickly went sideways — with the franchise goalie essentially forcing his way out of town with his trade request back in April — many members of the Winnipeg Jets fan base quickly found themselves at the “good riddance” stage of the grieving process.

This wasn’t how this story was supposed to end and there’s no doubt some feelings have been hurt along the way.

McDavid welcomes Hellebuyck’s move east as NHL reacts to blockbuster trade

The Connor Hellebuyck trade caught the attention of many in the hockey world, with a host of opinions and reactions.

The Winnipeg Jets finally parted ways with the three-time Vezina Trophy and Hart Trophy winner Friday, ending months of speculation by trading him to the New Jersey Devils for a package of players and picks.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid is relieved to see Hellebuyck leave the Western Conference.

"He’s a great goalie, a goalie that is a real difference-maker. I am certainly glad he’s gone east,” McDavid said after practice Friday. "You’d hate to see him go somewhere west and have to see him more.”

Winnipeg Jets trade Connor Hellebuyck to New Jersey Devils

Connor Hellebuyck finally got his wish. Kevin Cheveldayoff finally got an offer he couldn’t refuse. And a long-running sports soap opera has finally ended.

The Winnipeg Jets pulled off a blockbuster deal Friday morning, shipping their disgruntled franchise goaltender to the New Jersey Devils for a package including four players and two draft picks.

Although they liked the return, nobody within the organization was popping champagne. This was, in many ways, a dark but necessary day.

“It certainly hasn’t been fun. There’s no question about it. But at the end of the day, Connor made his choice. And, as an organization, we had to act accordingly and we did,” the general manager said during an afternoon news conference inside Canada Life Centre.

Another strong outing from Skinner, but Jets unable to lock down lead

DALLAS — Stuart Skinner did everything in his power to ger the Winnipeg Jets back in the win column.

A 35-save effort included plenty of highlight-reel moments, but the Jets were unable to lock down a lead late in the third period and lost 3-2 in overtime to the Dallas Stars on Thursday at American Airlines Center.

“Stu kind of got us a point there, to be honest with you,” said Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi. “They were better than us. Their structure, they played a really tight checking game, and we couldn’t really get much going offensively. They obviously outplayed us, and when you give up that many chances, eventually, Stu can’t stop everything.”

Both of the goals the Jets allowed in regulation came with Stars goalie Jake Oettinger on the bench in favour of an extra attacker — once on a delayed penalty call during the third period and then with two minutes to go in the third period when Mikko Rantanen found Roope Hintz alone in the slot.

Puck set to drop on Heritage Classic festivities

It’s the ultimate Manitoba mash-up: Cottage country meets hockey heaven.

And it will be the central theme for the 2026 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic, which features the Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens facing off Sunday evening at Princess Auto Stadium.

“We’re really excited about this one. It pops. It looks amazing. We think this is one of our better-looking field designs,” Steve Mayer, the president of NHL content and events, told reporters this week as preparation of the outdoor rink and related components reached a fever pitch.

“We want people to walk in the stadium and go, ‘Wow.’”

Jets hit first patch of early-season turbulence

DALLAS — The Winnipeg Jets are getting an early test in the age old battle that pits process versus results.

After dropping three games in a row and four of the past five (1-3-1), a fast start out of the gate (3-0-1) has been met with some turbulence.

But it’s not like the Jets have abandoned the structure that allowed them to start well either — the defensive side of the game has mostly been sound, even through this latest bump in the road.

Sure, there have been times when turnovers and puck management have led to glorious chances against, but the structure has mostly remained in place and provided a stable foundation.

Jets out of tune against Blues

ST. LOUIS – The issue is no longer limited to secondary scoring for the Winnipeg Jets.

Although they continue to be far too reliant on the top line for production, the Jets have suddenly been limited to not enough goals in a more general sense.

The latest example was a 2-1 loss Tuesday to the St. Louis Blues at Enterprise Center.

The Jets battled hard in this Central Division duel, but they’ve scored 24 goals in nine games (2.67 goals per game) and have one victory during the past five games after a 3-0-1 start. One of those losses did come in overtime (1-3-1).

Barron brothers clash for eighth NHL dogfight

ST. LOUIS — This is what all of those endless games of mini sticks, countless hours on the outdoor rinks and extra reps in the gym were meant to bring about one day.

While the shine might not be quite as bright for Morgan and Justin Barron, the appreciation for the opportunity to go head-to-head in an NHL rink has yet to dull and it’s not something they’re about to take for granted.

Tuesday’s clash against the Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues marked the eighth NHL meeting between the Barron brothers, who took divergent paths after growing up in Halifax.

“I’m always pulling for him and then all of a sudden, you’re fighting in the corner for a puck,” Morgan recalled after the morning skate on Tuesday. “It’s no different than in the summer or playing mini sticks in the basement and all of that stuff.

Waters remain murky in uncharted Hellebuyck trade request territory

ST. LOUIS — The thing about being in uncharted waters is that the answer to the next question isn’t always readily apparent either above or below the surface.

Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel has been doing his best to ensure the upcoming two-game road trip against Central Division opponents doesn’t include a three-ring circus. But with news coming over the weekend that the suspension for goalie Connor Hellebuyck is set to expire on Friday, the club has to prepare for the next step in that process.

The problem, as Arniel conceded during his session on Monday afternoon before the team departed for Missouri, is that some of the hypotheticals need to be eliminated from the equation before the proper response can be determined.

“When it comes to Helly’s scenario, honestly I don’t really have a lot of information,” said Arniel. “I know everybody knows (about) Friday. That’s all we know.”

Yager ready to fly with the Jets

Brayden Yager understood the assignment.

By recording five goals and nine points in six American Hockey League games with the Manitoba Moose to open the season, it was clear Yager brushed aside any lingering disappointment of being the last cut by the Winnipeg Jets following a strong training camp.

Yager, who set up the tying goal and scored the game-winner for the Moose on Sunday against the Texas Stars, was officially recalled by the Jets on Monday morning.

The 14th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft was essentially the extra forward during line rushes, but did see some action with the penalty kill and the second power-play unit with the NHL club on Monday, so it’s still unclear whether or not Yager will be in the lineup against the St. Louis Blues.

Clay Stevenson credits therapeutic side of hockey in learning to live with mother’s suicide

Hockey has always been more than just a game to Clay Stevenson. That was especially true after he suffered the biggest loss of his life: his mother, Holly, died by suicide seven years ago.