NHL analyst Justin Giampetro of 'The Hockey Writers' believes record-setter Cole Perfetti will fully break out next season and adequately replace Nikolaj Ehlers. Cole Perfetti is <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/winnipeg-jets/winnipeg-jets-forward-cole-perfetti-makes-history-with-clutch-game-7-goal' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>already etched in Winnipeg Jets history for one instance</a>. His last-second, Game 7 goal vs. the St. Louis Blues this spring was the latest in history in such a game, and set up a dramatic double-overtime win. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/GinoHard_/status/1919205066298306707'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> But to finally chase Winnipeg's first Stanley Cup, the Jets need more than a momentary flash. They need Perfetti to blossom over the length of a whole season. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/CapitalsDieHard/status/1955976544309883144'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> Having fallen to Dallas in round two, the Jets enter 2025-26 looking to build on their Presidents' Trophy success and arrive when it matters. Most of that work will come in the form of Cole Perfetti, the 2020 10th overall pick, as he is continuing to grow. <h3>Perfetti is an Iron Man, playing in all 82 Games Last Season</h3> The 23-year-old has continued to improve, with 19 goals and 19 assists, playing in 71 games two seasons ago, and 18 goals and 32 assists in every one of the 82 games last season. Experts weigh in and feel this can be the year he leaps into stardom. Justin Giampetro of The Hockey Writers had Perfetti down <a href='https://heavy.com/sports/nhl/winnipeg-jets/cole-perfetti-tabbed-as-breakout-candidate/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>as the top breakout candidate for Winnipeg</a>, mentioning Carolina's signing of Nikolaj Ehlers as a loss that opened the door for the young forward to take advantage of. Jake Tye of The Hockey News agreed with that prediction, referencing his increased role on the team. Winnipeg Jets Digest podcast's Brady Chalus also implied that having veteran Jonathan Toews join him, combined with Perfetti being in a contract year as a pending restricted free agent, could give him all he requires to be motivated. For Winnipeg, that would be turning one isolated signature moment into a breakthrough season.