Top Signing: Jets Bring Back Connor on Long-Term Deal
The Winnipeg Jets have locked up one of their core players, re-signing 29-year-old center Kyle Connor to a seven-year contract worth $10.5 million annually with a no-movement clause.
Injuries limited Connor during the 2025-26 season, but he still produced 35 goals and 20 assists for 55 points in 70 games. It was his lowest point total since the shortened 2020-21 campaign.
Connor added 11 points (2 goals, 9 assists) in 20 playoff games as Winnipeg reached the Stanley Cup Final. One year earlier, he posted 17 points in 13 postseason contests. The new deal keeps one of the Jets’ top offensive weapons in Winnipeg for the foreseeable future.
Jets Add Center Depth with Poehling Signing
The Winnipeg Jets added depth down the middle by signing 27-year-old Ryan Poehling to a three-year contract worth $1.8 million annually.
A former first-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2017, Poehling spent last season with the Anaheim Ducks, appearing in all 82 games and recording 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists).
The versatile center/left wing brings two-way reliability and durability to Winnipeg’s lineup. His contract does not include any trade protection, giving the Jets flexibility if roster needs change in the future.
Staff Signing
Hired 56-year old Rod McIntosh to be new head coach of the Manitoba Moose. MicIntosh agreed to a 3-year contract worth $850,000 annually.
Players Out
C Adam Lowry
RW Gustav Nyquist
LD Logan Stanley
Players In
G Vitek Vanecek (81 OVR / 30 yrs old / 1yr, $2.12M)
C/LW Ryan Poehling (OVR 81 / 27 yrs old / 3 yrs, $1.80M)
Trades
Winnipeg traded LW A. Johnsson-Fjalby, 2027 3rd round pick, 2028 4th round pick to Pittsburgh for D Sebastian Aho and a 2027 6th round pick
Accepted qualifying offers
C Cole Perfetti
LW/RW Nikita Chibrikov
LD Villegas Heinola
LW/RW Samuel Fagemo
C/LW Rasmussen Kapari
Pre-Free Agency Activity
- C Adam Lowry was not interested in re-signing with Winnipeg and entered free agency.
- The Jets paid $308,000 to buy out AHL D Adam Ollas Mattsson’s contract to make roster room.
- Successfully re-signed the team’s top player, C Kyle Connor (92 OVR), to a 7-year extension worth over $170-million.
- The Jets selected C Kash Alger-East with their 1st round, 30th overall pick in the Draft.
