With the NHL’s decision to pause Olympic player registrations at midnight on February 4th, Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is likely to be the subject of much interest among the league’s other executives. His team is experiencing its worst season in recent memory—possibly even in its entire history—and, as the league’s second-longest-tenured GM, he finds himself in an unexpected and precarious position following a notable decline from last year’s Presidents Trophy-winning team.
Winnipeg faces a rare but daunting scenario: they could become only the fifth team in NHL history to miss the playoffs after finishing first in their conference the previous season. Even more concerning, they might end up vying for the top overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft come June. The struggles have persisted despite some injury setbacks; Connor Hellebuyck was sidelined for three weeks with a knee injury, and Dylan Samberg only returned in November, but these issues haven’t accounted for their overall poor record, which remains a far cry from playoff contention. Currently tied for 30th overall with St. Louis and 10 points behind the last wild-card spot in the Western Conference, Winnipeg’s recent 6-3-2 stretch offers little hope of climbing back into the postseason, especially considering their tough first-round matchups against playoff-experienced teams like Colorado and Dallas.
While the casual fan might be content with points accumulated during this drought, true supporters know that each additional win could mean losing out on the opportunity to draft a potential star like Gavin McKenna or Ivor Stenberg—players that could immediately address the Jets’ offensive shortcomings after Nikolaj Ehlers’ summer departure. For GM Cheveldayoff and his staff, this is a critical time to focus on player development and possibly capitalize on veteran assets. Trade discussions could involve veteran forwards such as Nino Niederreiter, Tanner Pearson, Gus Nyquist, or Vlad Namestnikov—likely viewed as surplus to requirements—possibly packaged with young prospects like Luke Schenn or Cole Perfetti to secure draft capital that aligns with their rebuilding strategy.
With the Olympic roster freeze and trade deadline approaching, it’s clear that Winnipeg’s priorities are shifting toward nurturing their prospects, giving young players an opportunity to develop in the NHL. This might involve moving older veterans and promoting prospects like Jonathan Toews (if available), Lambert, Chibrikov, and others, even if that means accepting more losses and accumulating ping-pong balls for a high draft pick. The overall strategy appears to be setting up a transition from a struggling team to one built around its future stars.
Fan Take: This development is a crucial moment not just for Jets fans but for hockey enthusiasts, as it underscores how strategic rebuilding can reshape a franchise’s future. Watching teams embrace a patient rebuild to cultivate young talent adds an exciting layer to the sport—reminding us that sometimes, losing now can lead to winning big down the line.
