Kyle Connor’s camp is not rushing a contract extension with the Winnipeg Jets, keeping a wide-open market vibe as training camp approaches. The Jets are navigating the stalemate, knowing Connor’s elite scoring makes him a marquee asset if he hits the open market next summer. If Connor weighs his options, Detroit’s backstory as a Michigan-born scorer magnet and New York’s hunger for high-end wingers could put the Jets in a bind, especially after Nikolaj Ehlers’ departure chatter and the Eichel/McDavid benchmark chatter that circles Connor’s potential ceiling. The rumor mill also toys with other suitors, including teams that could use a sniper who can swing games in playoff contention. Connor McTavish and Ehlers surface as illustrative names in the broader trade-and-extension discourse, while Connor’s current importance to Winnipeg remains clear: he’s central to the return-to-form plot, but his next move could reshape the Jets’ short- and long-term planning.

Beyond Connor, the piece sketches a widening market for top-tier NHL talent: Rangers as a potential landing spot if Eichel stays elusive, and the broader field of teams that would covet a proven goal-scorer capable of changing a game’s outcome. The backdrop is a league where extensions aren’t a slam dunk and where teams openly weigh cap flexibility against premium talent. The main takeaway is straightforward: Connor’s future in Winnipeg is uncertain enough to keep several contenders watching, while Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel remain the ultimate comparables in the fantasy and betting conversations around who could command markets, dollars, and a rotation-shifting impact in 2025 and beyond.

Jaden Shields signs with the Norfolk Admirals for the 2025-26 season, continuing a pro journey that began in Kalamazoo before landing in Norfolk late last year. At 25, Shields showed enough bite in his first full pro stint, racking 10 points in 23 games for Norfolk after a December 21, 2024 deal from Kalamazoo Wings. His college pedigree includes four seasons at Adrian College with solid point production each year, hinting at a two-way game and an offensive itch from the blue line.

The move locks Shields into the Admirals’ long-term defensive depth, a pipeline feeding the Jets and their AHL affiliate, Manitoba Moose. For fantasy managers, Shields is a name to monitor as he climbs the ladder; any early power-play appearances or improved puck management could signal a future uptick in value if he reaches higher levels and earns opportunities with the Jets’ organization.

Connor Fedorek signed with the Norfolk Admirals for the 2025-26 season, adding another layer of blue-line depth for the ECHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose. The 26-year-old defender was first brought aboard on December 29, 2023, and in the following season he put up 18 points in 67 games while pacing the Admirals with 95 penalty minutes. The prior stretch with Norfolk included a 14-point, +13 showing in 31 games, underscoring a two-way game and a gritty edge. This contract signals continued trust in his mix of physicality and puck engagement.

Fedorek ascended from SPHL beginnings in Fayetteville to Reading, Indy, and finally Norfolk, complemented by Ferris State three-season experience and a productive 29-game college run at Utica University (25 points, third among Pioneers’ defensemen). For fantasy players, the focus is on his role, minutes, and special-teams usage in Norfolk. A steady bottom-pairing presence with PK duties could yield reliable peripheral stats in deeper leagues, especially if injuries or roster churn create pulse points for opportunities.

Winnipeg rode a historic regular season but playoff pain lingered after a second‑round exit to Dallas. The Jets’ core remains strong, yet contract talk looms over Kyle Connor, who is in the final year of his deal. Insider chatter suggests Connor may prefer free agency next summer to see what the market offers, delaying Winnipeg’s extension push. Connor’s 41 goals and 56 assists last season marked a career high, amplifying both sides’ leverage. If he leaves, a middle‑ice vacancy could reshape Winnipeg’s ceiling; if he stays, star power must be balanced with cap and roster planning as the offseason unfolds and teams keep a wary eye on the situation.

The looming decision is one of the biggest NHL storylines of the next year. Jets watchers anticipate strategic moves—extension talks, potential trades, or a daring rebuild pivot—driven by Connor’s trajectory and Winnipeg’s willingness to invest long‑term. Across the league, multiple clubs will monitor Connor’s status closely, recognizing the ripple effects on lines, power play, and fantasy rosters.

Edmonton’s front office is again probing the waiver wire and contemplating late-summer moves to deepen the roster after rolling the dice on Kasperi Kapanen and Alec Regula last season. The Oilers could pursue a handful of waiver targets or swing a September trade as insurance for depth at forward, defense, and goaltending.

Projected targets include goaltenders Mike DiPietro and Colton Ellis, plus forward options Samuel Fagemo and Matej Blumel, with William Villeneuve providing right-handed defensive depth. Matt Grzelcyk surfaces as the marquee UFA defenseman the Oilers could chase, potentially shaping a third pairing or power-play role. The piece also flags Colorado, Chicago, and Calgary as logical bidders should Grzelcyk hit the open market, while noting Edmonton’s cap constraints as it weighs deals and possible restructures.