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NHL Analyst Praises Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers for Smart Offseason Moves


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Tyler Ball
August 23, 2025  (7:58 PM)
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Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele lined up for a faceoff next to Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid.
Photo credit: Arctic Ice Hockey

Today, NHL analyst Jacob Punturi of Sports Illustrated has passed along major praise to the Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets for specific offseason moves.

The Oilers and Jets have both had busy offseasons that included each team losing key contributors to last season's teams.
The Winnipeg Jets lost Nikolaj Ehlers in free agency while the Edmonton Oilers traded away players such as Evander Kane and Viktor Arvidsson.
Despite those losses, the Oilers and Jets are being praised this evening for a pair of fantastic moves made by their respective GMs to keep talent on the roster.
According to a list put together by Jacob Punturi of Sports Illustrated, the Oilers and Jets have two of the top five best contract extensions of the offseason.

Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets Praised for Smart Offseason Moves

In this top five, the Edmonton Oilers came in at number four for their extension with star defenseman Evan Bouchard.
When discussing Bouchard's extension, Punturi admits that the cap hit is high but that the deal put the Oilers in prime position to once again win the Western Conference.
It might be a pricey contract, but Bouchard was the best RFA of the bunch this summer. He's coming off a second consecutive season scoring more than 60 points in the regular season and his fourth straight year with 40 points or higher. He's also recorded at least 17 points in three consecutive postseasons, including 23 this past postseason. He's one of the most productive offensive defenseman in the NHL, and the Oilers are likely going to win the Western Conference again in 2026 partly due to Bouchard's presence.

As for the Winnipeg Jets, they come in at the number two spot on Punturi's list after the extension they struck with key forward Gabriel Vilardi.
Punturi mentions that Vilardi is a player who has consistently improved and is just heading into his prime who could easily outproduce the contract he agreed to.
He's eclipsed the 20-goal mark three consecutive seasons, improving upon that total each year as well. Last year he posted career highs in goals (27), assists (34) and points (61). He just turned 26, and the Jets have another underrated scorer locked up through his prime years.

While it remains to be seen who got the best deal it is clear the the Oilers and Jets are in good hands under GMs Stan Bowman and Kevin Cheveldayoff going forward.
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NHL Analyst Praises Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers for Smart Offseason Moves

Who do you believe had the better offseason?

Edmonton Oilers3430.4 %
Winnipeg Jets7869.6 %
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