The Winnipeg Jets are Connor Hellebuyck (37) days away from opening their 2025-26 NHL regular season. As the anticipation continues, news from the Jets themselves remains minimal. Today, Jets fans were pleased to see the newly signed Jonathan Toews hit the ice for the first time in his new Jets practice gear. Training camp is still a few weeks away, but you can feel it’s one step closer when you see the players hitting the ice to start their preparations for the new season.

Today I decided to take a look at three players the Jets could sign to professional tryout contracts (known commonly as the shortened PTO) for the 2025-26 season. These players are mostly different then the ones in the article I wrote 2 months ago regarding free agents that were still available. While most of the free agents that were available a week after free agency began are still available, the difference with PTOs is that they aren’t solely used as a way of trying to improve the team. PTOs are a great way to add competition to training camp, and while the majority of PTOs don’t end up successful (earning them a full year or more deal), it’s still intriguing to track the progress of such players.

The magic number isn’t always three for these articles, but giving three options is a good way to cover different types of players. Grzelcyk is the one player from this mini list that was on the same article I mentioned above. I’m surprised that Grzelcyk remains available into September after the now 31-year old recorded 40 points in 82 games last season. Aside from Jack Roslovic (perhaps the best remaining free agent), Grezelcyk was projected to receive the second largest contract out of the remaining free agents.

I’m confident in Haydn Fleury’s ability to be the Jets 3rd line left defence, but bringing Grzelcyk to the Jets training camp would create some real competition for Fleury. Logan Stanley and Ville Heinola will try (again) to make the Jets opening night roster, but without someone like Grzelcyk at camp, it looks like it would be Fleury’s job to lose. Grzelcyk is an easy choice for a PTO that would help balance the Jets blue line for the upcoming season if the Jets see Winnipeg as a good spot for him to continue his career.

This might not be the most “flashy” or exciting option, but it’s another option that could make sense for the Jets. All of the top quality free agent centres have already signed, but there’s a few veteran options left including Glendening. You won’t see Glendening’s name on the scoresheet often, but he’s a faceoff and defensive specialist at centre that could be serviceable on the Jets 4th line during Lowry’s absence. I’m not very confident about Glendening’s chances of making the Jets, but he would still be a great veteran presence to have during what should be a competitive training camp.

Here’s a player who is praised for his effort level on a nightly basis. Tyler Motte on a PTO would be fun to watch because he’s someone who you know will be making a push for a roster spot. The Jets did already sign several depth NHL caliber wingers, but adding Motte to the mix on a PTO could create even more competition for the 4th line. The role that Motte excels at the most is the penalty kill. Although he only played 55 games with the Red Wings last season, he averaged a minute and a half of penalty killing time a night. Teams like the Jets who are usually an average penalty killing team could use a guy like Motte to take their PK to the next level if used correctly.

These three options are among my personal favourites, but what do you think of these three players, Jets fans? By the time day 1 of training camp begins, who would you like to see the Jets sign to a PTO? Whether the team decides to sign PTOs or not, get ready for a highly competitive training camp in Winnipeg in just a few weeks time.