Imagine a team that dominated the NHL just one year ago, hoisting the Presidents’ Trophy and battling deep into the playoffs—now stumbling through mediocrity and missing the postseason entirely. That's the shocking reality for the Winnipeg Jets in the 2025-26 season, and it's not just bad luck; it's a wake-up call that fans can't ignore.
Back in 2024, the Winnipeg Jets (check out their line combinations at https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/winnipeg-jets/line-combinations) kicked off December with an impressive 18-8-0 record, racking up 36 points and tying for second place in the entire National Hockey League. That momentum carried them to a Presidents’ Trophy win and a second-round appearance in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. It’s incredible how swiftly fortunes can shift in professional sports.
Fast-forward to now, as of this Thursday morning, the Jets are languishing outside the playoff picture with just about a third of the 2025-26 NHL regular season completed. Their 13-12-1 record, a .519 points percentage, and a slim plus-1 goal differential all point to average at best—but let's be honest, it might not even reach that level. For newcomers to hockey, the points percentage simply means how many points they've earned relative to games played, and a plus-1 goal differential indicates they've scored just one more goal than they've allowed, which isn't strong for a contending team.
But here's where it gets controversial... Connor Hellebuyck, the reigning winner of both the Vezina Trophy (awarded to the league's top goaltender) and the Hart Trophy (for the most valuable player), has been sidelined since November 15 due to a knee injury. During his absence, the Jets have posted a dismal 2-5-1 record, including recent defeats to the Buffalo Sabres (see their lineups at https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/buffalo-sabres/line-combinations) and Montreal Canadiens (view their combinations at https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/montreal-canadiens/line-combinations) to start December.
Hellebuyck has long been a superstar who could mask his team's weaknesses, but this season feels different. Even in their prime, the Jets weren't always masters of puck possession—solid, sure, but not elite. Now, though, they've faltered in every aspect. Data from Natural Stat Trick (https://www.naturalstattrick.com/teamtable.php?fromseason=20252026&thruseason=20252026&stype=2&sit=5v5&score=all&rate=n&team=all&loc=B&gpf=410&fd=&td=) shows them ranking in the bottom five for both shot differential and expected goal differential at even strength. They're near the bottom in scoring chances too, with only 505 created versus 611 allowed. While there were hints of progress in these areas late in November, their recent outings have erased that optimism.
Take their holiday opener: a brutal 5-1 away loss to the Sabres where hardly anything clicked. Kyle Connor's goal in the second period sparked a glimmer of hope, but it fizzled out amid a series of blunders, including Alex Tuch's quick goal that widened Buffalo's lead. This match epitomizes the Jets' struggles—stars like Connor, Mark Scheifele, and Josh Morrissey each notched a point, but the rest of the team was invisible, with the Sabres dominating 28-15 in 5-on-5 scoring chances. Goalie Eric Comrie let in three goals on 14 shots before being replaced by Thomas Milic, who allowed two more on 17. Buffalo also outshot Winnipeg 31-24 overall.
And this is the part most people miss—how the departure of a key player has left a gaping void. The Jets have been grappling with the loss of Nikolaj Ehlers, the Danish forward who drove offense effectively during his ten years in Manitoba. He joined the Carolina Hurricanes (explore their lines at https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/carolina-hurricanes/line-combinations) as a free agent this summer, creating a significant gap up front.
Yet, instead of addressing it head-on, general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff opted for two veterans in their thirties: Gustav Nyquist and Jonathan Toews, both on one-year contracts. It's not panning out. Nyquist, brought in at 36 to replicate Ehlers' role as a skilled, smaller playmaking winger in the top six, has managed zero goals and six assists in 20 games, with his playing time shrinking. For beginners, the top six refers to the primary offensive lines, crucial for scoring.
Toews, a Winnipeg native returning after a two-year hiatus, is facing major challenges. With three goals and nine points in 26 games, plus a team-worst minus-12 rating (meaning he's on the ice for 12 more goals against than for), his performance has declined further. He even endured a seven-game stretch from November 13 to 28 without a point, spotlighting his struggles.
While some debate if Toews should have attempted this comeback, the bigger question is why the Jets entered the season without a solid backup for Ehlers or a reliable second center behind Scheifele. They've invested in centers before, like Paul Stastny, Kevin Hayes, and Sean Monahan, through trades. At 37, with health concerns, Toews isn't a top-six fixture anymore. For context, a center is the player who takes faceoffs and often directs the play from the middle of the ice.
Hellebuyck's injury has only highlighted these deeper issues, and perhaps that's a silver lining—it forces change. Once their MVP returns, things should brighten, but they can't stay stagnant with their current roster. Cheveldayoff holds valuable assets, and despite limited trade options, they can revamp meaningfully.
Unlike some other Canadian teams needing a full rebuild, the Jets have pillars like Hellebuyck, Scheifele, Connor, and Morrissey secured long-term. They just need strategic, thoughtful additions. Adding more aging players like Toews, Nyquist, and Luke Schenn won't cut it, as their play and results prove.
The Central Division remains fiercely competitive, so the Jets must avoid last year's error of inaction. They need to act aggressively now, before opportunities slip away.
Here's a controversial take: Is Cheveldayoff's loyalty to veterans blinding him to the need for youthful talent? Or should we applaud the risks of bringing back local heroes like Toews? What do you think—does the Jets' strategy scream complacency, or is it a calculated gamble? Share your opinions in the comments below; I'd love to hear differing views!
Recently by Mike Gould
- Ranking the floundering Canucks’ top trade pieces (https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/vancouver-canucks-floundering-2025-26-season-jim-rutherford-trade-nhl-kiefer-sherwood-evander-kane-teddy-blueger)
- There’s still time for the Sabres to rebound after another tough start (https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/buffalo-sabres-still-time-eastern-conference-playoffs-nhl-stanley-cup-tage-thompson-rasmus-dahlin-josh-norris)
- The NHL’s draft lottery race is changing. Bedard and Celebrini are a big reason why (https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/nhl-draft-lottery-race-changing-connor-bedard-macklin-celebrini-san-jose-sharks-chicago-blackhawks-flames-predators-blues)
- Four potential trade destinations for Flames forward Nazem Kadri (https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/calgary-flames-nazem-kadri-potential-trade-destinations-jets-avalanche-canadiens-canucks)
- The ‘October Oilers’ are back. Can they snap out of it again? (https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/the-october-edmonton-oilers-disappointing-start-pacific-division-playoff-race-rebound)
- The Calgary Flames need to embrace being a lottery team in 2025-26 (https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/calgary-flames-embrace-gavin-mckenna-2026-nhl-draft-lottery-dustin-wolf-nazem-kadri-rasmus-andersson)
- Which NHL teams deserve Gavin McKenna the most — and the least? (https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/which-nhl-teams-deserve-gavin-mckenna-most-least-2026-draft-lottery)
- Everything is on the line for the new-look Rangers in the 2025-26 season (https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/everything-on-line-new-look-new-york-rangers-2025-26-panarin-contract-future)
- 2025–26 NHL team preview: Winnipeg Jets (https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2025-26-nhl-team-preview-prediction-winnipeg-jets-kyle-connor-hellebuyck-mark-scheifele)
