The Winnipeg Jets NHL 2024-25 regular season opener countdown is now down to just 2 (Dylan DeMelo) days. With the first NHL regular season games (other than the 2 between the Devils and Sabres in Prague), being played tomorrow, the 23 man roster deadline is this Monday afternoon.

The 1st piece of news that Jets fans were glad to hear about this morning was that forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan has cleared waivers. Anderson-Dolan can now be assigned to the AHL (Manitoba Moose) where he’ll join several other experienced Manitoba Moose veterans.

Jets fans also received an update on the status of goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who was absent from practice this morning. Speculations around an injury quickly began, but head coach Scott Arniel confirmed that Hellebuyck was away with his family, regarding a personal reason. Hellebuyck might not be at tomorrow’s practice either, but he’s still expected to be on the team plane for the game in Edmonton on Wednesday night.

The big piece of news from the Jets today was that they’ve made their 2nd final set of roster cuts, as the 23 man roster deadline approaches later this afternoon. Ville Heinola and Logan Stanley are expected to be placed on the IR, so the Jets were sitting at 26 players at training camp this morning. Despite good camps from both of these young players, Brad Lambert and Nikita Chibrikov have been sent down to the AHL, leaving the Jets with 24 players at camp.

Earlier this off-season, GM Kevin Cheveldayoff explained how this season would be one where young players would have a chance to earn a roster spot. Unfortunately, none of these young up and coming roster players are expected to be on the opening night 23 man roster now. Fans on social media are pretty upset with this news, especially in the case of Brad Lambert, who appeared to most as a player who looked ready right now for the NHL.

This move leaves the Jets with 1 final roster move to make before the deadline. The move will likely be sending goaltender Eric Comrie on waivers, or it will be Elias Salomonsson going down to the Manitoba Moose. With the subtractions on the IR (Heinola and Stanley), this would leave the Jets with their opening night 23 man roster.

The lines for the Jets at practice this morning appear to closely resemble what the lines will look like on Wednesday night, and they go as follows:

Connor – Scheifele – Vilardi

Perfetti – Namestnikov – Ehlers

Niederreiter – Lowry – Appleton

Barron – Kupari – Iafallo

Extra: Gustafsson

Morrissey – DeMelo

Samberg – Pionk

Fleury – Miller

Extras: Salomonsson and Coghlan

Comrie – Kahkonen (Hellebuyck away due to a personal reason)

The Jets will continue to prepare for their challenging opening night matchup on Wednesday night against the Oilers. Jets fans will be patiently anticipating the official announcement later of the Jets 23 man roster for the start of the 2024-25 season. It’s an exciting time in the hockey world, and Jets Nation will continue to cover the latest news as it happens.