Welcome to the first edition of many in the Jets Nation year in review series. If you didn’t get a chance to read these articles at the end of the last season, they’re basically a season recap of the players from the 2024-25 Jets. I take a look at their season, their current contract, and a quick look ahead at what you might be able to expect from them next season. Last year I wrote about each and every player, but this season I’m going to be mainly focusing on some of the key players, allowing me to alternate between discussing other off-season news and content as well. Starting us off is Kyle Connor, the goal scoring machine from the Jets top line.

Kyle Connor continues to be the Jets 1st line left forward, alongside Mark Scheifele and usually Gabriel Vilardi. Having just completed his 8th full season with the Jets, Connor has been a key member of the organization since being drafted 17th overall in 2015. The 28-year old from Michigan had himself both an eventful and successful 2024-25 season. From the 4 Nations Face Off (where his ice time was limited), to a full 82 game season, to a terrific playoffs, Kyle Connor really did it all this season.

You know that when you’re talking about Kyle Connor, the focus is on the goals scored total, and this season he scored a very nice 41 in 82 games. Last season Connor had 34 goals, but he was limited to 65 games after suffering a lower body injury mid-season. That goal total was the 2nd best of Connor’s career, coming a bit short of his 47 goal season in 2021-22. Connor’s assist total jumped substantially this season, from 27 last season to a career high 56. Connor led the Jets with 97 points, surpassing his career best of 93 points in his standout 2021-22 season. Also, for whatever it’s worth, Connor had a career best +/- of +17, which can sometimes be an indication as to how the team performed when he was on the ice.

Before looking a bit deeper into why Connor succeeded in 2024-25, I need to mention his playoff performance. Connor led all Jets with 17 playoff points in the Jets 13 post season games. Only Connor and Mark Scheifele (11 points) had more than 10 points in the playoffs for the Jets, showing just how impactful Connor was in both series. Even with the Jets eliminated, Connor continues to sit in the top 5 for playoff points in these Stanley Cup playoffs. A career high in regular season and playoff points can only mean a successful season for Connor, but how did he achieve these numbers?

The Jets number 1 powerplay played a factor, finishing at 28.9%. Connor scored 9 times on the man advantage, but even when he wasn’t scoring the goals he was a part of that successful powerplay. The trio of Mark Scheifele, Josh Morrissey and Connor always stand out when they’re on the ice, and that was especially true this season, which contributed to Connor’s success. Connor’s shooting percentage was exactly the same as last season, 15.4%, which is above the league average and should be sustainable based on the way Connor plays on a nightly basis.

You may or not remember, but there was a small period of time last season where Jets fans were considering the possibility of moving Connor for a defender during a losing streak. Obviously that was just Jets fans in “panic nonsense mode”, and this season nobody had any such thoughts throughout the season. Connor’s current contract is a 7-year $50 million deal, which will expire after the 2025-26 season. This off-season, the Jets have a lengthy list of free agents (both unrestricted and restricted), so contract talks with Connor will likely have to wait until early next season. Connor is the prototypical goal scorer that every team would love to have, so you know the Jets will be trying to get a new contract for Connor as soon as possible.

Coming off a career year, what should you expect from Connor next season? Could he become the first Jets 2.0 player to reach 100 points in a season? It’s certainly possible, and with Connor in his prime playing with Scheifele and Vilardi, that’s very much achievable. Unlike some other elite goal scorers in the league, Connor still doesn’t get the recognition he deserves. That may be due to the smaller market in Winnipeg, but that also just comes from hockey fans not fully understanding Connor’s all around elite abilities. Whatever the reason may be, I’m fully confident Connor will have another very similar positive season in 2025-26 as he continues to score goals and be one of the stars of the Winnipeg Jets.