Ah, September. The leaves begin to turn, the air gets crisp, and in Winnipeg, a familiar question echoes through the pre-season halls of the Canada Life Centre: “Can the Jets finally take the next step?” It`s a query as traditional as pumpkin spice lattes, yet this year, it carries a particularly potent blend of anticipation and intrigue for the 2025-26 NHL season.
Learning from the Scars: A Look Back
The sting of last season`s playoff exit still lingers, a faint but palpable phantom limb pain for fans and players alike. Securing the Presidents` Trophy, a testament to regular-season dominance, only magnified the disappointment of falling short in the second round. A first-round series win, the first since 2021, was certainly progress. However, it wasn`t the ultimate prize this “very close group”—as General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff aptly describes them—yearns for. Cheveldayoff reflected on this, stating, “I think it`s the opportunity that`s in front of them, and the hunger and the scars and the pain that get left behind when you don`t get as far as you collectively want to, every group learns a certain something along the way.” It`s a poetic way of saying, “We`re tired of almost, and frankly, it hurt.”
Roster Reshuffle: Who`s In, Who`s Out, Who`s On the Mend
The offseason, as it often does in professional sports, brought its share of upheaval. The departure of high-scoring winger Nikolaj Ehlers to free agency leaves what many consider a “near impossible hole to fill”—a phrase that practically screams “opportunity” for the next man up. Further compounding the challenge are the exits of forwards Mason Appleton and Brandon Tanev, alongside the significant news of center Adam Lowry`s hip surgery, sidelining him until late October or early November. This series of events necessitates a recalculation, a strategic pivot in the team`s offensive and defensive matrices.
The Toews Factor: A Storybook Return?
Into this volatile mix steps a name that sends a ripple of excitement (and perhaps a touch of disbelief) through the hockey world: Jonathan Toews. After two seasons away from the ice battling illness, the veteran center makes his much-anticipated return, not to his former dynasty, but to the prairie city of Winnipeg. Cheveldayoff`s “storybook thing” comment, while perhaps a touch dramatic, perfectly captures the sentiment surrounding this comeback. Toews` enthusiasm, a palpable force after his hiatus, is seen as a major boost. His leadership, experience, and sheer presence will be critical, especially with Lowry out, placing immense expectations on his seasoned shoulders. “The biggest thing you see is the level of enthusiasm,” Chevelveldayoff noted, adding, “When you are potentially losing something, then you get a chance to get it back, you really appreciate just how fortunate you are.”
The Mindset for the March Ahead
Cheveldayoff himself has framed the upcoming season not just as a fresh start, but as an evolution. He speaks of “the hunger and the scars and the pain” that accumulate when a collective goal is unmet. This isn`t just about winning games; it`s about channeling past disappointments into future triumphs, leveraging the unity of a group that “shares in its successes and shares in its disappointments.” One might say, they`ve earned their stripes, or perhaps, their scars, and are ready to apply those hard-won lessons.
The Road Ahead: Challenges and Aspirations
The NHL is a league of fine margins, where depth, resilience, and a touch of magic often decide fates. The Jets` off-season additions, while including some “journeymen forwards” (a polite term for players looking to prove their worth and seize an opportunity), will need to coalesce quickly around their established core. The true test will be how Toews integrates and performs after his extended absence, and how the team adapts to filling Ehlers` offensive void. The collective hope is that this blend of youthful exuberance, hard-won experience, and veteran leadership will be the winning formula.
Conclusion: Beyond the Next Step
So, as training camp commences and the puck prepares to drop on the 2025-26 season, the question remains: Can the Jets truly take the “next step” this time? With a blend of proven talent, rejuvenated spirit, and the compelling narrative of Jonathan Toews` return, the stage is set for a season where “good enough” simply won`t suffice. The pursuit of the Stanley Cup in Winnipeg is less a journey, and more an ongoing, deeply personal saga, chapter 2025-26 now officially underway.
Ellis Thorne