The Winnipeg Jets opened their 2025 preseason this afternoon on home ice at Canada Life Centre, taking on the Minnesota Wild.

Winnipeg jumped out to an early 2–0 lead in the first period thanks to goals from Morgan Barron and Danny Zhilkin. But that cushion slowly slipped away, as Minnesota answered with one in the second and another in the third to tie things up 2–2. Overtime was needed, and Yakov Trenin completed the comeback with his second of the game, handing Winnipeg their first loss of the preseason.

Despite the result, there were plenty of positives, especially from Jets prospect Kevin He.

From the opening puck drop, He and his linemates, Zhilkin and Samuel Fagemo, were the most noticeable forward unit on the ice. They brought speed, physicality, and in the first period especially, had the Wild scrambling just to clear their own zone.

The trio combined for four points (1G, 3A). Fagemo assisted on Barron’s power-play marker at 5:33 of the first, while Zhilkin doubled the lead on a highlight-reel play. Fagemo fed He at the blue line, and He set up Zhilkin with a slick behind-the-back pass.

“I think the Zhilkin line, all three of those guys were real good,” said head coach Scott Arniel. “I thought He and Fagemo, I thought those guys all played really well. For me, the game was we were really good in the first half, and they were a lot better in the second half.”

He showcased his ability to play with speed and finish checks effectively, even at 5-foot-11. Much like Nikita Chibrikov, he isn’t the biggest player, but he makes an impact with his unique skill set, particularly his quickness.

It was an exciting showing from He and his line, even if the Jets came up short.

The Jets are right back at it Tuesday night at Canada Life Centre when they host the Edmonton Oilers. Fans will see a new group of players in the lineup, including Jonathan Toews, who is expected to make his preseason debut. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. CDT on TSN3.