The Winnipeg Jets are the final team featured in the NHL prospect pool overview series.
Tony Ferrari digs into Jets’ strengths and weaknesses, the latest draft class, positional depth chart, next player in line for an NHL opportunity and more. A player who no longer holds rookie eligibility in the NHL is considered graduated and no longer a prospect for these exercises, with few exceptions.
Initial Thoughts
The Jets have an interesting prospect pool. They are middle of the pack at best, but they have several really intriguing prospects.
A lot of their players are either legitimate NHL prospects or big-time long shots without much in between. Finding players in the draft is essential for them, but when you’re drafting later in each round, it’s a bit tougher to find that elite talent. They’ve taken some swings on skill and talent, and they look like they could be the beneficiary of that philosophy soon with a few of these players.
Just over a year ago, the Jets acquired Brayden Yager after their relationship with former first-round pick Rutger McGroarty deteriorated. Yager is a rush attacker with an excellent shot, and he has improved significantly as a playmaker. His development as a passer has been a pivotal part of him diversifying his offensive game, solidifying himself as more of a creator and less of a pure shooter in transition. He’ll jump to the AHL this season, and he should be a very solid rookie for the Manitoba Moose.
Brad Lambert has had some ups and downs in the AHL, but his tools are legitimately NHL quality. He’s a transition ace who works harder than he’s given credit for. His defensive game could use a bit of work, but he does so much to create offensively that he more than makes up for it.
Lambert is the kind of player who works best with creative linemates because he doesn’t always make the simple or easy play strictly because he has the skill to make something more interesting. Lambert has high upside, but he will need the opportunity to show his game off with other high-end players.
While Colby Barlow’s regular season was a bit ho-hum, he made his mark in the playoffs for the Oshawa Generals. Inconsistent performances and subpar production marred his final junior season, but when things got heavier in the playoffs, Barlow excelled. He plays a north-south game, looking to shoot on the rush and then chase down his rebound. Barlow has some skill, but he leans more into the power elements of the game. Barlow is another player moving to the AHL this season, and while he may be a bit slow to produce immediately, his game should translate pretty well up and down the lineup.
Nikita Chibrikov’s season ended in January after an awkward collision. Coming into this season, the young Russian will look to reassert himself as a top prospect. His speed and skill are impressive, and he’s always been the kind of player to punish defenders for their mistakes, gashing defenses by bursting through open lanes or finding teammates in the middle of the ice in the offensive zone. Chibrikov will be a fun player to watch because he could play in NHL games once again this season.
Playing a full season against men last year, Alfons Freij had some growing pains, but the smooth-skating defender looks poised to break out in Sweden this upcoming season. He could be an important part of Sweden’s world junior roster. Freij is an excellent puck-mover on the breakout and in the offensive zone. His defensive game is built on his skating and play recognition ability, looking to cut play down quickly. Freij has the potential to be a stellar two-way defender if the Jets are patient.
In his first AHL season, Elias Salomonsson was an integral part of the Moose’s blueline. He put up 27 points in 53 games as a 20-year-old. He has a very clean skating stride, generating speed and power in an instant. His defensive game is steady in part due to his strong mobility and ability to recover if he makes a wrong move. Salomonsson is poised to have a big season in the AHL.
In net, Thomas Milic and Domenic DiVincentiis split the year between the AHL and ECHL, putting up solid numbers as pros.
Milic’s put together quality starts over the past two years at the pro level, developing his technical game while relying on his athletic base.
DiVincentiis likely has the higher upside, and he ended up getting the bulk of the AHL starts last year, with 28 games played as a rookie in the AHL. DiVincentiis has made massive strides since being drafted in the seventh round in 2022, showing he could be the goalie who eventually gives Connor Hellebuyck a bit of relief in net on the NHL club.
U-23 Players Likely To Be On NHL Roster This Season
N/A
2025 NHL Draft Class
Round 1, 28th overall - Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston University (NCAA)
Round 3, 92nd overall - Owen Martin, C, Spokane (WHL)
Round 5, 156th overall - Viktor Klingsell, RW, Skelleftea Jr. (Swe.)
Round 6, 188th overall - Edison Engle, D, Dubuque (USHL)
Round 7, 220th overall - Jacob Cloutier, RW, Saginaw (OHL)
At the tail end of the first round, the Jets selected Sascha Boumedienne. The Swedish blueliner has all of the tools required to be a truly effective 200-foot defenseman. His skating is pristine, working off his edges at a high level and showing instant acceleration when needed. His defensive game is calculated, and he’s grown as a defensive player, reading the attacker and forcing them into a quick dump or closing on them along the wall.
Boumedienne played primarily a defensive role at BU this past season, looking to be a stabilizing force for the Terriers. When he got to the World Men’s Under-18s with Sweden in the spring, he showed off his skating and offensive ability, setting the tournament record for points by a defenseman. There is so much untapped potential with Boumedienne, and the Jets are happy to be the team where he can hopefully tap into it.
Winnipeg didn’t draft again until the late third round, when they took Owen Martin out of the WHL. He’s a defensive-minded center who had a big playoff campaign for Spokane. He missed a chunk of time in the middle of the season, but he still managed to hit the ground running when he was back in the lineup. Martin is a hard-working player who constantly looks to close space in the defensive zone. He excels at deferring to teammates under pressure and giving different looks to opposing teams by cutting inside or pulling up and hitting a trailer.
While Viktor Klingsell’s club play was very good, he excelled with the Swedish U-18 team. Klingsell was consistently one of the most skilled handlers and passers on the ice, showcasing some of the best vision in the draft class. He lacks a physical edge, and he can slow the game down a bit too much, but there is just so much offensive upside. His play style is comparable to Jets forward Cole Perfetti in a lot of ways, and there could be a similar path of development, needing to get a bit faster and stronger to show off his offensive tools in the NHL.
In the sixth round, Winnipeg took Edison Engle. The 6-foot-2 defender out of the United States League builds his game on his skating. He defends in transition well, using controlled footwork to shadow and then close out when the attacker tries to make a move. Engle might have a bit more to give on the puck, but as of now, his breakout passing is solid with a focus on making the easy play to a nearby forward when he’s pressured.
The swing on Jacob Cloutier at the end of the draft is a nice one for Winnipeg. His energy and commitment to being involved in every play when on the ice are enviable. Despite being just 5-foot-10, Cloutier works hard along the boards or in the corners to try to recover the puck. He doesn’t always have the skill to make high-end plays, but he outworks and brings a ton of energy to the game. He could carve out a role as a crafty bottom-six player eventually, but he must continue to get a bit faster and stronger.
Strengths
The Jets aren’t a loaded prospect pool by any means, but they have some really interesting centers in the pipeline, even if a few of them end up on the wing.
Lambert leads the way when it comes to speed and skill. Yager is a really good shooter and rush playmaker. Kieron Walton is one of the most underrated prospects in hockey, with size and skill to impact the game.
Danny Zhilkin and Fabian Wagner are interesting bets deeper in the pipeline as well. Connor Levis is heading to Bowling Green, where he will continue his development after a good WHL career. When you include the newly drafted Owen Martin, the center pool is quite deep with potential bottom nine centers.
Weaknesses
The depth of the Jets' prospect pipeline, outside of the center position, is a bit of a concern. They have one or two prospects at each position and then a bunch of long shots.
They don’t have many prospects with lower ceilings who could fill depth roles. Most players will be decent AHLers or European pros, but making the NHL will take a great deal of development.
Their right-hand defense pipeline is particularly an issue. They have Salomonsson and then Tyrel Bauer, who is one of those long shots. They have nothing behind those two players, and neither is a sure thing.
Right defense is always one of the hardest positions to fill in the NHL, so drafting and developing them can be a major advantage – or disadvantage in Winnipeg’s case.
Hidden Gems: Kieron Walton, C
Walton’s growth since his draft year has been wildly impressive. Jets fans have taken notice, but he’s starting to gain some attention from hockey fans in general.
Walton is a massive forward with some impressive playmaking chops and a level of skill that you don’t expect out of a 6-foot-6 forward. He can set up his teammates in various ways, using a soft touch on saucer passes across the offensive zone or slipping hook passes through traffic to a teammate in the slot.
Walton will be one of the most impressive players in the OHL this upcoming season. He may never become a top-line NHL player, but he has the tools to become a solid middle-six forward, whether that's down the middle or on the wing.
Next Man Up: Brad Lambert, C/W
There is no obvious next man up for the Jets, but Lambert might be the first call-up if injuries occur. He took a step back statistically last year, with 35 points in the AHL, but his tools remain incredibly intriguing. His skating is high-end at the NHL level already, and he has flashed some impressive playmaking ability.
Lambert is a transition machine, and although he will require a coach being willing to let him run a bit, if he does get that opportunity, he could be a legitimate impact player.
Still just 21, Lambert has time to put his game together and refine some of the elements that coaches harp on him about, such as his physicality. Lambert’s upside is high, but it’s going to take the right opportunity to see him reach his potential.
Prospect Depth Chart Notables
LW: Colby Barlow, Viktor Klingsell, Kevin He
C: Brad Lambert, Brayden Yager, Kieron Walton, Danny Zhilkin, Fabian Wagner, Connor Levis, Owen Martin
RW: Nikita Chibrikov, Jacob Cloutier, Zach Nehring
LD: Sascha Boumedienne, Alfons Freij, Edison Engle
RD: Elias Salomonsson, Tyrel Bauer
G: Thomas Milic, Domenic DiVincentiis, Isaac Poulter
For a deeper dive into the prospect pool with player rankings, check out the Yearbook and Future Watch editions of The Hockey News in print.
