October 5, 2025 | 12:21pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

JETS EYEING BLUELINE MARKET; CONNOR TALKS CONTINUE

Kyle Connor, forward

As the Winnipeg Jets continue contract negotiations with star sniper Kyle Connor, the club is also believed to be keeping tabs on the defensive market in the NHL.

Jets GM Kevyn Cheveldayoff and Connor’s camp remain engaged in ongoing discussions on a long-term extension, according to league sources, with a seven-to-eight-year deal the goal for both sides.

Connor, 28, is in the final year of a seven-year, $50 million contract and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. But the Jets and Connor’s camp, led by agent Rich Evans, are working towards a new deal that may pay Connor in between $12 million and $13 million per season.

The hope is to finalize a deal before the team’s season begins on Thursday.

With Cheveldayoff and the Jets focused on Connor’s next deal, management is also keeping an eye on potentially adding another defenceman to the roster.

The Jets are without blueliner Dylan Samberg for at least the next six-to-eight weeks due to a broken wrist, creating a hole on the backend.

While a trade is not believed to be imminent, Winnipeg may try to add a defenceman after the season begins if the team struggles out of the gate – it is possible they explore a move prior, should an opportunity come across Cheveladyoff’s desk.

The Jets have just under $4 million in salary cap space, which will increase as the season moves along and they accrue more.