Winnipeg Jets Summary

The Winnipeg Jets have made significant moves this week, starting with the signing of top prospect Viggo Bjorck to a three-year entry-level contract, as reported by Daily Faceoff. Bjorck, who was the eighth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, left his Swedish club Djurgarden IF and will now join the Jets with an NHL AAV of $1.075 million. His impressive track record includes breaking the J20 Nationell scoring record with 74 points in 42 games during the 2024-25 season and playing a crucial role in Sweden's gold medal win at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.

In addition to this signing, trade discussions are ongoing regarding star goalie Connor Hellebuyck, with the Buffalo Sabres showing interest. The Hockey News highlights that while the Sabres had solid goaltending last season, acquiring Hellebuyck could elevate their roster. However, the Jets' GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has reportedly rejected trade offers thus far, complicating the negotiations as they seek a satisfactory package in exchange for the former Hart Trophy and three-time Vezina Trophy winner.

Moreover, the Jets have established a new ECHL affiliation with the Bloomington Bison for the 2026-27 season, aimed at strengthening their player development pipeline. Craig Heisinger, Senior Vice President of the Jets, expressed excitement about the partnership, which will complement their existing AHL affiliation with the Manitoba Moose. Lastly, the Jets have set an arbitration date for Cole Perfetti, indicating ongoing contract negotiations, with the date scheduled for July 20, 2026, according to Illegal Curve. This step is seen as part of the process to finalize his contract before arbitration is necessary, which both sides aim to avoid.