Nikolaj Ehlers’ exit creates an early-season hurdle for the Winnipeg Jets, who pivot to veteran depth and a crop of youngsters to sustain their scoring punch. Gustav Nyquist arrives on a one-year, $3.25 million pact, offering a high-IQ playmaker with playoff experience, but he isn’t a direct replacement for Ehlers on speed or edge. The Jets have signed a handful of swing pieces and must rely on internal development to fill the void on the second line and in key moments on special teams.

Brad Lambert stands out as the closest path to the missing dynamic, but the jury is out on whether a late-blooming teen will slot in right away. Jonathan Caves returns to Manitoba, hinting at a gradual approach to NHL responsibility while Kyle Connor’s future contract looms large—either anchoring the core or prompting a major reshuffle. Adam Lowry remains a steadying force, yet a longer-term plan is brewing: will Winnipeg lean into its aging core or accelerate a youth movement with a couple of rookies already in the mix this year?

Camp vibe will determine the Jets’ direction. If Connor stays and Nyquist fills a second-line slot, Winnipeg can still push for a steady playoff path; if Connor is moved or salary demands push up the cap, the top nine could pivot dramatically. Either way, the Jets’ 2024–25 arc hinges on balance between proven veterans and breakout young players under new leadership, with training camp revealing the wheelhouse for their next two-to-three-year window.