2024-25 NHL Prospect Pool Breakdown: Winnipeg Jets’ Top 10

Credit: Terrence Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome back.

It’s time to kick off Daily Faceoff’s second annual NHL Prospect Pool Breakdown, looking at the best all 32 teams have to offer. We’re highlighting the top 10 prospects for every franchise, their biggest strengths and weaknesses and so much more.

The criteria for being labeled a “prospect” are simple: players generally have to have played in 50 or fewer NHL games or spent more time outside of the NHL than in it last year. Skaters over 23 years old are not included, with goaltenders needing to be 25 or under.

Today, we’re looking at the Winnipeg Jets.

The Winnipeg Jets have had their share of ups and downs over the past decade, but they’ve always managed a pipeline with at least a few notable pieces.

And this year’s crop is no exception. In fact, I’d argue the Manitoba Moose might be one of the most exciting teams to watch in the American Hockey League in 2024-25. The Jets might not be a real Stanley Cup threat as it stands, but if they can transition a few of their high-flying forwards from the AHL and make them impact NHLers, they might be able to strike gold.

Even after trading Rutger McGroarty, there’s still a lot to like. I like Brayden Yager, and Brad Lambert and Nikita Chibrikov are coming off productive seasons in Manitoba. They’ve got some others cooking around globally, looking to make the mark in the next couple of years. By signing Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck last year, the Jets indicated that they’re not interested in blowing things up, and they’re in it for the long run. And maybe, just maybe, a few of their prospects will help them reach the summit for the first time in franchise history.

Biggest Strengths

The Jets have a lot of forwards that are capable at putting the puck in the net. Yager, Lambert and Colby Barlow are the three premier options, while Chibrikov and Chaz Lucius could be decent secondary producers, too. While the group does lack two-way forwards, I think they’ve got enough shot capital to be happy where they’re at right now. The Jets could use more help on the back end (more on that below), but you can never have too many guys who can act as finishers.

Biggest Weaknesses

There’s an argument to be made that the Jets need more defensive depth in general, but that mostly comes on the right side. Elias Salomonsson is the only RHD in the top 10, and I don’t see Garrett Brown or Tyrel Bauer being NHLers at any point. The Jets have Dylan DeMelo, Dylan Coghlan, Colin Miller and Neal Pionk on the right side in the NHL, so there’s a decent veteran contingent, but nothing really boiling down in the minors. It’s a hard position to draft for, but if it’s any consolation, the 2026 and 2027 NHL Drafts do seem to have an influx of RHD. That’s still a long way away, but maybe they’re not concerned about it.

*Brayden Yager (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

TOP 10 PROSPECTS

1. Brayden Yager, C, 19 (Moose Jaw, WHL)

Acquired: Traded by Winnipeg Jets in 2024

Yager was far and away the best prospect in Pittsburgh’s system, and maybe the only one with a realistic shot of being a top-six forward. Right now, he’s not the runaway No. 1 with Winnipeg (he and Brad Lambert are close, in my opinion), but I do see a solid NHL future for him still. Yager had a wonderful 35-goal, 95-point season with Moose Jaw and was one of just a few Canadian World Junior players who seemed to do anything last winter. The dynamic, goal-scoring forward has one of the better shots in the WHL, and he fights for the puck on every shift as if his career depends on it. I loved Yager in my live viewings at the Buffalo Prospect Challenge last summer, and I can’t wait to see what he’s capable of as one of the WHL’s most dominant players this year. Yager is also quite good in the faceoff dot, too, which doesn’t hurt.

2. Brad Lambert, RW, 20 (Manitoba, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 30th overall, first round in 2022

I was so happy to see Lambert have such an excellent season last year after a difficult 2022-23. He had an assist in his NHL debut and also scored 21 goals and 55 points in 64 games with Manitoba. It wasn’t his first pro year, having played two full years in the Finnish Liiga, but it helped establish himself as a legit high-end prospect again. There’s an argument that he’s the best the team has, too, although I’m still giving Yager’s overall game an edge. I hope Lambert has another strong preseason and pushes himself into the conversation to play full-time with Winnipeg sooner rather than later because a player with his skill will be so much fun to watch at the next level.

3. Colby Barlow, LW, 19 (Owen Sound, OHL)

Acquired: Drafted 18th overall, first round in 2023

*Colby Barlow (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Barlow missed some time during the season, but he still managed to put up 40 goals and 58 points in 50 games with the Attack. His stat line might look funny with how lopsided his goals and assists are, but few players strike fear in CHL goaltenders like Barlow does, and that counts for something. But what separates him from other goal-scorers is just how engaged physically he is. Even if he ends up as a third-liner, the fact he’s willing to lay the body on just about anyone shows that he means business. You won’t mistake him for a two-way dynamo, but in the areas he’s best at – hitting and scoring – few players are as good.

4. Chaz Lucius, C, 21 (Manitoba, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 18th overall, first round in 2021

It’s hard not to talk about Lucius and ignore his health history. He hasn’t played more than 30 games in a season since 2019-20 with the USNTDP. And the worst part is that it’s been a bunch of different injuries that have derailed him, too – he required shoulder surgery in 2022-23, and an ankle injury knocked him out after 17 AHL games this past year. But, man, that skill. If it wasn’t for all the bad luck, Lucius would be talked about significantly more in prospect circles because he’s been able to produce at every level and has a skill set that teams envy. Lucius can score from just about anywhere with a quick, accurate release and he loves spending time around the net. It’s not too late for Lucius to get things together if he can stay healthy, but it’s been hard to rely on that.

5. Elias Salomonsson, RHD, 19 (Manitoba, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 55th overall, second round in 2022

After suffering an ankle injury with Skelleftea in 2022-23, he came back with a vengeance and played easily the best hockey I’ve seen from him last year. He put up 11 points in 31 games, added a new physical element to his game that he didn’t show as an 18-year-old (although you could tell he was a tough customer), and then proceeded to help Sweden win bronze at the World Juniors. Salomonsson controls the puck so well and plays a calm, smart two-way game, with his skating being above average. I like that he never seemed intimidated in the SHL, playing more than 20 minutes a night down the stretch and through the playoffs for Skelleftea. Now, I’m excited to see what he does with Manitoba in his first year in North America.

6. Ville Heinola, LHD, 23 (Winnipeg Jets)

Acquired: Drafted 20th overall, first round in 2019

*Ville Heinola (Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports)*

At some point, the Jets have to figure out what to do with Heinola. Sure, he missed half the season last year with injuries, but he’s too good to just constantly remain in the AHL. You can see Heinola’s pure skill, and it feels like he’s NHL-ready, and now he’s on the verge of no longer being waiver-exempt. Heinola moves well, makes smart decisions with the puck and has one of the best shots of anyone in the system. Defensively, he’s still prone to some brutal mistakes, but his game is a lot more rounded and mature than it was when he first touched base in Winnipeg. This is the perfect time for Heinola to take the next step forward with the Jets, and if not, they should look into giving him a fresh start elsewhere.

7. Nikita Chibrikov, LW, 21 (Manitoba, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 50th overall, second round in 2021

Cibrikov’s first year in North America was an excellent one, scoring in his NHL debut and putting up 47 points in 70 games with Manitoba. That came after he struggled for ice time in the KHL and bounced around between the three main Russian leagues, so finding stability in the AHL was paramount. He’ll likely spend another year there with the hopes of pushing past the 50-point mark, and I expect him to eventually establish position as a potential middle-six scoring threat for the Jets in the near future. One concern is that he’s not strong, and he’s only 5-foot-10 with just average-at-best defending, so he’ll need to focus on doing more than just putting pucks in the net to take the next step in his development.

8. Alfons Freij, LHD, 18 (IF Björklöven, Allsvenskan)

Acquired: Drafted 37th overall, second round in 2024

I thought Freij looked solid at the U-18s, where he was easily one of the better defenders. He’s good in so many elements but not exceptional in anything. Now, he’s going to push to make Sweden’s roster for the World Juniors and potentially go even deeper with a big year in the SHL. Freij has the ability to be elusive with the puck and run a power play, but I do see some second-pairing potential while putting up 30-ish points a year. With just some refinement, the 6-foot-1 defenseman could really take the next step in his development. His numbers have been great internationally and he was one of the best offensive defensemen in the Swedish U-20 league last year. I’m excited to see him take the next step forward in 2024-25.

9. Jacob Julien, C, 19 (London, OHL)

Acquired: Drafted 146th overall, fifth round in 2023

Jacob Julian of the London Knights — *Jacob Julien (Natalie Shaver/OHL Images)*

Julien is a fun player to watch. He was taken as an overage player in 2023 after splitting the year between the OHL and GOJHL. But this past year, Julien had 29 goals and 78 points to go along with 53 penalty minutes as he established himself as one of the most menacing power forwards in the league. His skating isn’t bad for his size, either, although it’s not a strength yet. Julien can play for another year in the OHL, and then I think he’ll be someone who has no issue adjusting to the AHL because of his pure power. I know I wouldn’t want to have to go 1-on-1 with him when he has the puck, that’s for sure.

10. Dmitri Rashevsky, RW, 23 (Dynamo Moskva, KHL)

Acquired: Drafted 146th overall, fifth round in 2021

Rashevsky is about to turn 24 in the fall, so he’s on the older end of the prospect spectrum. He’s coming off an outstanding year in the KHL, scoring a career-best 24 goals and 43 points to finish fifth in team scoring. He’s got one more year left on his KHL deal and I expect him to play an even bigger role with Dynamo as he looks to establish himself as a serious NHL threat – if that is indeed his long-term goal. I’m not sure he’s a good enough skater or two-way player at this point, but if he gets 50 points this year, I think the Jets are going to at least want to give him a shot in the big leagues in 2025-26.

Other prospects: Daniel Torgersson, LW (22), Henrik Nikkanen, C (23), Fabian Wagner, C (20), Danil Zhilkin, C (20), Kevin He, LW (18), Markus Loponen, C (18), Kieron Walton, C (18), Connor Levis, RW (19), Garrett Brown, RHD (20), Tyrel Bauer, RHD (22), Dmitry Kuzmin, LHD (23), Thomas Milic, G (21), Domenic DiVincentiis, G (20)