Winnipeg Jets Finalize Training Camp Roster, Expose Key Players to Waivers

The Winnipeg Jets are streamlining their roster as training camp approaches its conclusion. On Thursday morning, the team made notable cuts, sending goaltender Thomas Milic and defensemen Tyrel Bauer and Dmitry Kuzmin directly to their AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose. Additionally, defenseman Simon Lundmark and forwards Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, Mason Shaw, and Dominic Toninato have been placed on waivers. Should none of the other NHL teams claim them by Friday, they too will head to join the Moose.

With these decisions, the Jets currently have 29 players remaining in training camp. However, the roster does have its fair share of challenges. Defensemen Ville Heinola and Logan Stanley are set to start the season on injured reserve, and forward David Gustafsson suffered a lower-body injury in Wednesday's pre-season matchup. The Jets are expected to provide an update on Gustafsson's condition later today.

As the Jets must finalize their roster to a maximum of 23 healthy players by early next week, more cuts loom on the horizon, with potentially just three remaining. Critical decisions will need to be made, especially in the backup goaltender position, where Kaapo Kahkonen and Eric Comrie are vying to be the understudy to star goalie Connor Hellebuyck.

Currently, the roster includes 15 healthy forwards and eight defensemen, excluding the injured trio. Depending on the strategy of head coach Scott Arniel, we may see either two forwards or a combination of one forward and one defenseman released from the roster.

Here’s a rundown of the players still competing for a spot:

Goalies: Hellebuyck, Kahkonen, Comrie

Defensemen: Morrissey, DeMelo, Pionk, Samberg, Fleury, Miller, Coghlan, Salomonsson

Forwards: Scheifele, Connor, Vilardi, Ehlers, Perfetti, Namestnikov, Lowry, Niederreiter, Appleton, Iafallo, Barron, Kupari, Anderson-Dolan, Lambert, Chibrikov

Injured: Heinola (expected return in one month), Stanley (expected return in one month), Gustafsson (TBD)

Stay tuned as the Jets continue to shape their roster for what promises to be an exciting season ahead. Will the decisions made in training camp set the tone for their playoff aspirations? The countdown to the season opener has officially begun!