Winnipeg Jets Finalize 2026-27 Opening Night Roster with Youth Movement on Display

The Winnipeg Jets have finalized their 2026-27 opening-night roster.

Teams were required to trim their rosters to a maximum of 23 healthy players Monday, one day before the start of the 84-game regular season.

Forwards (13):

Morgan Barron, Viggo Bjorck, Kyle Connor, Alex Iafallo, Cole Koepke, Brad Lambert, Adam Lowry, Vladislav Namestnikov, Nino Niederreiter, Cole Perfetti, Isak Rosen, Mark Scheifele, Gabriel Vilardi

While the Jets’ forward group retains several longtime veterans, a youth movement is taking shape as Bjorck, Lambert, and Rosen all earned opening-night spots.

Defensemen (Eight):

Tyrel Bauer, Dylan DeMelo, Mario Ferraro, Haydn Fleury, Josh Morrissey, Neal Pionk, Dylan Samberg, Jack St. Ivany

The defensive corps welcomes offseason acquisitions Ferraro and St. Ivany. Additionally, 2020 sixth-round pick Bauer has cracked the NHL roster for the first time after four full seasons in the American Hockey League.

Goaltenders (Two):

Stuart Skinner, Clay Stevenson

With Connor Hellebuyck suspended for refusing to report amid a trade demand, offseason signing Skinner and waiver claim Stevenson will tend the Jets’ crease to start the season.

Injured Reserve (Three):

Forward Walker Duehr and defensemen Garrett Brown and Elias Salomonsson begin the season on injured reserve. Salomonsson is reportedly on track to return by mid-October and would likely replace Bauer or St. Ivany upon activation.

The Jets open their campaign on Friday, Oct. 2 at home against the Boston Bruins, aiming to rebound after finishing seventh in the Central Division and missing the playoffs last season.

Source link