3 Jets Poised for Bigger Roles in 2022-23

The Winnipeg Jets have yet to make any major moves in free agency. Trade rumours have swirled around franchise cornerstones Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, and most recently, Pierre-Luc Dubois. Despite all these rumours, no changes have been made to the team that missed the playoffs last season.

If the team is to remain the same next season, young players will have to step into a bigger role and produce for the Jets to make the playoffs. General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff made it clear during his latest press conference that he expects the young prospects to leap into a bigger role under a new coaching staff next season. Here are three players who are poised to step into those vacant roles this season.

Cole Perfetti

Cole Perfetti is primed for a breakout season just as much as any young player in the NHL. He was nearly a point-per-game player in the American Hockey League (AHL) posting 15 points in 17 games. In a limited NHL role last season, he was able to produce seven points in 18 total games. Despite the low numbers, he was able to have flashes of talent that everyone noticed. From the fans to the coaching staff and upper management, he quickly got promoted into a top-six role alongside Dubois and Kyle Connor.

Unfortunately for Perfetti, he suffered a shoulder injury late in the season that sidelined him indefinitely and prevented him from finding a groove with the club. Perfetti will be put into a top-six role this upcoming season immediately with Connor. His ability to make passes in short areas and set up shooters in dangerous spots makes him a perfect fit with the team’s top goalscorer last season and one of the best snipers in the NHL.

Cole Perfetti is playing in just his 9th @NHL game and he’s making these type of plays. 👀 https://t.co/EdLsQxfYPa

Perfetti will likely be a top option within the Jets’ forward core and power play, and this makes his contract arguably the most cost-efficient on the team. He has two years remaining on his entry-level contract. For a team that is expected to be up against the cap, having a player like this that can produce in the top six on a rookie contract is extremely valuable.

David Gustafsson

The Jets attempted multiple times last season to give David Gustafsson a chance in the bottom six. The former second-round pick wasn’t able to stay healthy during the chances he was given and remained on the Manitoba Moose for the latter half of the season.