Dylan Samberg will miss six to eight weeks with a broken left wrist after a pre-season hit by Calgary's Ryan Lomberg. The Jets blueliner had 20 points in 60 games last season, logged 21+ minutes a night and posted a team-best +34, then signed a three-year extension this summer. Winnipeg opens Oct. 9 at home vs. Dallas, putting blue-line depth under early test and potentially shifting power-play duties.

Fantasy managers should monitor who steps into Samberg’s minutes and PP time, as depth players gain opportunity and influence in Winnipeg’s opening schedule. The injury also highlights how one hit can ripple through lineup construction and fantasy value.

Dylan Samberg will miss 6-8 weeks with a broken wrist, forcing Winnipeg to reshuffle its blue line as the season opener vs Dallas approaches. The injury follows last season’s broken foot from blocking a Stamkos shot, a setback that limited him to 60 games and 20 points. Winnipeg, fresh off a Presidents’ Trophy run, must navigate the early schedule without Samberg while fantasy managers gauge which defensemen pick up extra minutes and PP time in his absence.

Jets’ depth will be tested early as they try to maintain elite pace and defensive structure. For fantasy players, the key is identifying who steps into top-four and PP roles, monitoring back-to-back nights, and adjusting rosters to capture surge nights when Winnipeg exploits favorable opponents.

A refined NHL defense breakout model now targets blueliners likely to deliver true fantasy impact beyond sporadic scoring, focusing on age, experience, and a first sustained FPPG above a historical median. It flags defenders entering a true breakout window (roughly 23–27 years old, 170–380 games) who can push into top unit minutes and PP time, while accumulating hits and blocks that translate to fantasy points.

Among the names highlighted: Bowen Byram, Jamie Drysdale, Dylan Samberg, and K’Andre Miller, plus others who could unlock a real late-round upside if opportunity aligns. The framework aims to separate true contributors from depth players, guiding drafts with data-backed confidence.

The Winnipeg Jets have successfully re-signed defenseman Dylan Samberg, ensuring he remains an integral part of their roster for the next three seasons with a deal worth $5.75 million. This contract not only secures a significant raise from his previous $1.4 million but also grants him a six-team no-trade clause in the last two years of the deal. At 26 years old, Samberg aims to prove himself worthy of an even bigger contract when he becomes a free agent at 29.

Meanwhile, Nick Robertson of the Toronto Maple Leafs is the only remaining restricted free agent who has filed for salary arbitration, with his hearing scheduled for early August. Coming off a season where he notched 15 goals and 7 assists, Robertson's contract situation is crucial as the Leafs manage their $2.93 million in cap space.

Additionally, the Calgary Flames have extended Martin Pospisil’s contract for three years, worth $2.5 million, allowing him to focus on playoff aspirations as he enters the final year of his current deal. The Flames remain strategically positioned in the market as they look to improve their playoff chances this season.

Dylan Samberg has secured a three-year contract worth $17.25 million with the Winnipeg Jets, boasting an average annual value of $5.75 million. The 26-year-old defenseman, who was a restricted free agent, managed to sidestep a salary arbitration hearing, showcasing his importance to the team. Last season, he tallied 20 points, including six goals and 14 assists, in 60 games, contributing to the Jets' impressive Presidents' Trophy-winning season.

Despite missing 21 games due to a lower-body injury sustained after blocking a shot from Steven Stamkos, Samberg has established himself as a key player for Winnipeg, amassing 51 points in 216 regular-season games. The Jets also re-signed fellow restricted free agents Morgan Barron and Gabriel Vilardi, reinforcing their roster strength as they prepare for the upcoming season.