Winnipeg Jets Offseason Plans Regarding Ehlers, Samberg, and Vilardi Have Been Revealed

With the Winnipeg Jets on the verge of a pivotal 2025 offseason, the most significant choice they must make is what to do with Nikolaj Ehlers.

His decision will play a big role in the direction of the team, especially with key restricted free agents Gabriel Vilardi and Dylan Samberg, who also need to be dealt with.

The Jets' Stanley Cup aspirations can be enhanced this offseason, or doubt can be cast on their long-term future.

Ehlers is an $8.5-$9 million value contract projection, comparable to Mark Scheifele's, but he might shop around. The Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils are reportedly keeping a close eye on things.

If Ehlers is not around, Winnipeg will need to make its cap dollars work for them. Brock Boeser and Brock Nelson are possible veteran targets, although the Jets have not had any success with unrestricted free agents in the past.

Internal growth or trade options may be a more viable path, as sadly, many players do not want to play in Manitoba.

Locking up multi-year deals with Vilardi and Samberg is next. Vilardi, who had 61 points in 71 games last season, has the ability to ink a short-term deal to capitalize on a rising cap, but the Jets will likely consider his injury history.

Samberg, meanwhile, is on the back end in terms of consistency, but has strong community roots. At 26, and scheduled to become a free agent in 2026, signing him now could be a way of heading off a headache farther down the line.