NHL insider Frank Corrado highlights $42 million winger and two stars as key to boosting Jets' chances upcoming season

By Ankit Kumar

Modified Jul 19, 2024 18:12 GMT

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NHL insider Frank Corrado recently joined SC with Jay Onrait to discuss the Winnipeg Jets' prospects for the upcoming season. Corrado talked about Nikolaj Ehlers, a key $42 million winger, and two other players as crucial to boosting the Jets' offensive output.

Corrado views the Jets as one of the best defensive teams last year, ranking high in goals against and goals against per game.

“One of the best defensive teams in the NHL last year." Corrado said. "You take a look at goals against and goals against per game, they're right there near the top of the list with the Florida Panthers. Their issue is not defensively. Now offensively, they're a middle-of-the-pack team.”

Corrado suggested that finding more offense will be Winnipeg's goal, and the major contributors must be Cole Perfetti, Gabriel Vilardi, and Nikolaj Ehlers.

"If they can find a little more this year - like maybe Cole Perfetti getting an expanded role helps find a little more offense. Maybe Gabriel Vilardi being healthy for a full 82 games or close to 82 games finds a little more offense."

"And maybe Nikolaj Ehlers can take himself from a 25-goal guy to a 30-plus goal guy and a 60-point guy into that 70-75 point range. All those things are very attainable for those three players and for the group."

Ehlers, who signed a seven-year, $42 million contract with the Jets in 2017, is a crucial part of the plan. Last season, Ehlers scored 25 goals, had 36 assists, and totaled 61 points. He is eligible for a contract extension as he enters the final year of his deal.

Despite being shuffled between the first and third lines and averaging 15:52 of ice time per game last season, Ehler is offensively important. If Winnipeg can maintain their strong defensive structure and find additional offensive production from Ehlers and others, they could improve their performance this season.

Winnipeg Jets signed defenseman Ville Heinola for two years

The Winnipeg Jets signed defenseman Ville Heinola to a two-year extension worth $800,000 per season. Heinola, 23, was injured before last season and spent the year with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose, scoring 10 goals and 17 assists in 41 games.

With Nate Schmidt and Brenden Dillon leaving, Heinola may have a better chance to make Winnipeg's roster this fall. The team still needs to sign restricted free agent Cole Perfetti and others.