The hum of the arena is a distant memory, replaced by the crisp autumn air of Winnipeg, signaling the dawn of another NHL season. For the Winnipeg Jets, however, this isn`t just another season. It`s an opportunity, a crucible, and for many, a test of whether past disappointments can be transmuted into future triumphs. After a stellar regular season that saw them clinch the Presidents` Trophy in 2024-25, only to falter in the second round of the playoffs, the question isn`t just whispered anymore; it echoes through every training camp drill: Can this team finally take the next step?
The Weight of Expectation: A Familiar Narrative
Winning the Presidents` Trophy is a double-edged sword. It celebrates regular-season dominance, yet it often sets an almost insurmountable bar for postseason success. The Jets tasted this bittersweet reality last year. While their first playoff series win since 2021 was a commendable feat, the subsequent elimination left a tangible “scar,” as General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff aptly put it. “Every group learns a certain something along the way,” Cheveldayoff observed, highlighting a team united not just in success, but profoundly in shared disappointment. It’s a group, he asserts, that remains remarkably close. Perhaps too close, some might playfully suggest, to the brink of ultimate glory.
A Shaken Roster: Navigating Key Departures and Injury Setbacks
The path to that “next step” is rarely smooth, and Winnipeg`s off-season has certainly provided its share of turbulence. The high-scoring artistry of Nikolaj Ehlers, a fan favorite and offensive engine, departed for free agency, leaving a void that will require creative solutions to fill. Forwards Mason Appleton and Brandon Tanev also moved on, further adjusting the team`s forward depth.
Compounding these departures is the news that reliable center Adam Lowry will be sidelined, recovering from hip surgery until late October or early November. His absence early in the season will undoubtedly test the team`s resilience and tactical flexibility, forcing others to step into elevated roles. In professional hockey, as in life, when one door closes, another one… well, sometimes another door is simply bolted shut and you have to find a window.
The Return of a Legend: Jonathan Toews Joins the Fold
Enter Jonathan Toews. The name itself carries a certain gravitas, a weight of championship pedigree. After missing the last two seasons due to illness, the veteran center`s decision to join the Jets has injected a unique blend of hope and intrigue into the squad. It’s a narrative straight from a sports film script: the seasoned champion, returning from a two-year hiatus, to a team hungry for a deep playoff run.
Cheveldayoff`s enthusiasm is palpable. “The biggest thing you see is the level of enthusiasm,” he remarked, noting the renewed appreciation for the game that Toews embodies. For a player who faced a potentially career-ending health battle, the opportunity to return is, as the GM charmingly put it, a “storybook thing” for Toews and his family. With Lowry`s initial absence, much of the early-season focus, and perhaps a healthy dose of pressure, will undoubtedly fall upon Toews to provide leadership, defensive acumen, and crucial offensive contributions.
The signing of “journeymen forwards” alongside Toews reflects a pragmatic approach to bolster the roster. While these additions may not grab headlines, their collective grit and experience could be the unheralded elements that stitch together a successful season. It`s often the unsung heroes who provide the crucial depth a championship team requires, proving that sometimes, simply showing up and doing the work is the most heroic act of all.
What`s Next for the Jets?
The 2025-26 Winnipeg Jets are a team in transition, yet one still brimming with talent and, more importantly, a collective drive forged in the fires of past playoff disappointments. The synergy between established stars, promising newcomers, and the enigmatic return of a hockey icon will be the defining story of their season. Can the “hunger and the scars and the pain” transform into the fuel for a legitimate Stanley Cup challenge? The puck drops soon, and Winnipeg waits with bated breath to see if this iteration of the Jets can finally soar past the second round and truly take that elusive “next step.”
