The Winnipeg Jets simply cannot afford to lose Kyle Connor.
The star forward is entering a contract year, and while there have been no clear indications that he is departing, there has not been much noise on the contrary, either.
Here is what NHL Insider Frank Seravalli had to say about Connor’s contract situation:
“I don’t think they’ve had much by way of extension talks; my understanding is that the Connor camp is not in very much of a rush to get something done and that they want to evaluate their options.”
Seravalli also floated Connor’s hometown Detroit Red Wings as a potential fit next summer, as the Michigan native and alum would add that much-needed scoring pop up top.
However, he is still a Jet, and this upcoming campaign should reveal his faith in the franchise. Connor, 29 in December, has spent the duration of his nine-year career with the team that drafted him 17th overall in the 2015 Draft.
Connor notched 40 goals for the second time in his career (41) in 2024-25, and when healthy, is a near guarantee for a point-per-game production. Over 613 games, he has 284 goals — 67 of which have come on the power play — and 582 points.
But, despite advancing past the first round last postseason, Winnipeg has been marred by disappointment and has reached the Western Conference Finals just once (2018) since Connor’s debut.
Should the Jets falter (assuming the reigning Presidents’ Trophy winners reach the playoffs again), Connor could see what might be his last long-term contract as an opportunity to join a team with better Stanley Cup odds.
The Red Wings are not exactly contenders, but Connor, should he hit free agency, will have a long line of suitors. Winnipeg, which has long struggled to attract and retain marquee players, does not want to partake in that league-wide bidding war.
