The rest of your 2023-24 Winnipeg Jets: Jets Nation year in review finale

Here we are, at the finale of the Jets Nation year in review series. It’s been a wonderful ride going through each and every Jets player from the 2023-24 season, describing their playstyle, looking at their contract and seeing what they might be doing in 2024-25. For this finale, it’s going to be a little different because I’ll be covering multiple players rather than just focusing on one. The first 3 players played a mentionable amount of games for the Winning Jets this season, while the other 5 only got a few games as call-ups or replacements. The first 3 to discuss are Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, Logan Stanley and Rasmus Kupari, followed by some quick mentions on Colin Miller, Nikita Chibrikov, Brad Lambert and Declan Chisholm. Even though some of these players only played a very limited amount of games, I felt that they were still worth mentioning as members of the 2023-24 Jets team.

Jonsson-Fjallby is a 26-year old winger from Sweden who is a former 5th round, 147th overall pick by the Washington Capitals in the 2016 NHL entry draft. He debuted for the Jets in the 2022-23 season where he played 50 games, and this season he split his time between the Winnipeg Jets and the Manitoba Moose. In 26 games, Jonsson-Fjallby scored 2 goals and added 3 assists for 5 points. He played in 1 playoff game but got no points, as his primary use was on the penalty kill. Jonsson-Fjallby is a bottom 6 forechecker who likes to shoot the puck and plays a fairly responsible two-way game. He’s the type of player that seems to just be buzzing around the ice at all times, but hasn’t developed into an everyday NHLer. Jonsson-Fjallby has 1 year left in his current contract, at $775,000 for 2024-25 before he hits free agency, and overall he should be a solid depth piece that splits his time between the Jets and Moose again next season.

Stanley is a 25-year defensive defenceman from Ontario who hasn’t yet lived up to his 1st round, 18th overall potential after being drafted back in the 2016 NHL entry draft. In his 4th season with the Jets organization in the NHL, Stanley faced several injuries, so he only appeared in 25 games, scoring 1 goal and adding 1 assist for 2 points. In the playoffs, Stanley played in 3 of the Jets 5 games and got 1 assist. Stanley is one of the tallest defenceman in the NHL, listed at 6’7″ and 228 pounds. Using his size is what makes him an effective defenceman, and he’s been improving on the physicality aspect of his game as well. Stanley is limited on offence which will keep him in a bottom 6 defence role, and he still has work to do to match his 1st round potential. Stanley signed a 1 year, 1 million dollar deal for this season and is now a restricted free agent at age 26. The Jets will have a decision to make with Stanley, and if they decide to bring him back it will be another short-term deal to see if Stanley can prove himself. Next season, Stanley should appear in more games, but it all depends on how the rest of the Jets defence group shapes up for the 2024-25 season.

Kupari is a 24-year old two-way centre from Finland, who much like Stanley hasn’t been able to prove himself as a former 1st round, 20th overall pick by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2018 NHL entry draft. Kupari was acquired as one of the pieces in the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade, and also like Stanley he missed a significant amount of time this season due to injury. In 28 games, Kupari had no goals and 1 assist, and did not appear in the playoffs. Kupari is a good skater but lacks the overall tools to get his offensive game going. He’s a playmaker who still is learning how to round out his game in order to be a more complete player. Kupari has 1 year left at 1 million dollars for next season before becoming a restricted free agent in 2025 at age 25. Unless Kupari can really prove himself next season in a limited role, the Jets may decide to move on from Kupari to see if he can get a fresh start with a new team in the 2025-26 season.

Now for the 5 other Jets that made appearances with the big club this season, starting with Dominic Toninato. The 30-year old centre played most of the season with the Manitoba Moose, but filled in for 15 games in the regular season, scoring 1 goal and added 4 assists for 5 points. Toninato is simply a depth piece who may see a few games next season if/when injuries occur on the Jets.

Colin Miller is a 31-year old defence who was acquired at the trade deadline from the New Jersey Devils for a 4th round pick in 2026. The move was made as a way of acquiring a veteran depth defence to be available in case of injuries. Miller played 5 regular season games, getting 1 assist, and he also got 1 assist in the 1 playoff game he made an appearance in. Miller is an unrestricted free agent this summer and the Jets will likely move on from him and let him explore a new team.

Nikita Chibrikov is a 21-year old winger who is an upcoming prospect for the Jets. Chibrikov was selected in the 2nd round, 50th overall in the 2021 NHL entry draft. He had a successful 1st pro season with the Manitoba Moose, and got rewarded with his 1st NHL game in game #82 of the regular season where Chibrikov scored his 1st career goal. He’ll likely spend another year or two with the Moose, but he’s definitely an upcoming prospect to look out for in the near future.

Brad Lambert is a 20-year old center who is another top prospect of the Jets. Lambert was drafted 30th overall in the 2022 NHL entry draft. Much like Chibrikov, Lambert had a fantastic 1st full pro season with the Moose and also got rewarded with his 1st NHL game in game #82. He got an assist in his NHL debut, and he’ll be competing for a roster spot as early as next season.

Last but not least is Declan Chisholm, a 24 year old defence drafted by the Jets in 2018 who got claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Wild in late-January. Chisholm spent most of his time with the Moose since being drafted, and only appeared in 2 games this season where he got 1 assist. Chisholm played 29 games for the Wild after being claimed off waivers and will look to earn a roster spot with the Wild next season.

That’s everyone now! I’ve covered every player that played for the Winnipeg Jets in the 2023-24 season. Some players had career years, some players (not many) took steps back, and some players are still building towards their potential. The 2024-25 Jets roster may look quite different next season, but the important pieces that helped the Jets to a 52 win season this year will be back looking to help the Jets build on an overall quite successful 2023-24 season.