Since the Winnipeg Jets have returned, my free agent wish list for them has been as follows; veterans and locals.
It’s no surprise that the Jonathan Toews signing is an absolute home run for me, and that was before he even took to the ice.
I loved when Winnipeg picked up Eric Fehr for their inaugural season. I thought the Olli Jokinan signing was a savvy move. I strongly advocated for the team to pick up Jamir Jagr when he was on his retirement tour.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
Winnipeg Jets’ Jonathan Toews (19) during practice at Canada Life Centre Tuesday.
251007 – Tuesday, October 07, 2025.
To have historically significant players wear a Jets jersey is a treat all its own, even if the player isn’t the star they once were.
As noted by James Loewen in this paper, Winnipeg hasn’t really found a home-grown player to push forward. There were rumours the team was gunning for Mark Stone or St Malo’s own Travis Hamonic over the years via free agency, but nothing could be done.
The draft has been similarly dearth of Keystone Province talent, with only two players picked across the team’s first 14 years since moving from Atlanta.
It was delightful to see the Jets turn to Eastman for a third-round draft pick this season, and select Oakbank’s Owen Martin in the third round.
From a surface-level reading, the Jets return to Manitoba has had a positive impact on minor hockey in the province.
Look no further than the 2022 draft, where there were new all-time highs for Manitobans taken in the top round, with players who were barely in school when the Jets returned in 2011.
A decade and a half after the Jets made a massive impact on hockey development in the province, they finally are reaping the rewards, not only drafting a standout player from the province, but bringing the province’s best modern player into the fold.
Toews’ next point will be a historic one, as he would pass Butch Goring for sole possession of third among NHL players from the province, only trailing the legendary Bobby Clarke and Andy Bathgate.