On the eve of the 2025 NHL trade deadline, the Winnipeg Jets became the first team to reach 90 points with a 4-1 win in Philadelphia. The 1st line was playing at its best tonight, as Gabriel Vilardi, Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor combined for 8 points. The powerplay was a perfect 2 for 2, and Eric Comrie had one of his better performances this season, making 21 saves on 22 shots. Tomorrow at 6 pm CT the Jets will be in New Jersey to play the Devils, but 4 hours before game time is the NHL trade deadline. Deadline day might not be the same as it used to be before social media, but all hockey fans will know that it’s still one of the most exciting days on the NHL calendar each year.

Earlier Thursday afternoon, the Jets swapped minor league goalies with the Florida Panthers, marking their 1st move of the trade deadline week. Kaapo Kahkonen, who was signed by the Jets, waived, and then re-claimed on waivers, is headed to Florida in exchange for Chris Driedger. Kahkonen struggled on a poor Manitoba Moose team, posting a 6-14-1 record with a 3.29 GAA and a .885 save percentage. Driedger, a 30 year old native of Winnipeg, was playing for the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. In 22 appearances, Driedger went 10-6-6 with a 2.97 GAA and a .878 save percentage. While Kahkonen has played double the NHL games Driedger has (140 to 67), the move will serve as a way of keeping an experienced 3rd goalie behind Connor Hellebuyck and Eric Comrie.

Prior to tonight’s game, Jets fans learned a few updates on their lineup and a signing of one of their recent draft picks. Dylan Samberg returned to the lineup after missing the game against the Islanders due to personal reasons, while Rasmus Kupari has been placed in concussion protocol after getting into an awkward collision in the game against the Islanders in the 3rd. The Jets also announced the signing of prospect Jacob Julien. The deal is a standard 3 year entry level contract, as Winnipeg’s 5th round pick from 2023 continues to improve while playing for the London Knights of the OHL.

As for the latest rumours swirling just half a day before the NHL trade deadline, the Jets continue to be interested in several players listed as prime trade candidates. Brock Nelson and Scott Laughton are two names getting a lot of attention this week, and the Jets continue to be “in the mix” for both of these players. *Update*: Nelson has been traded to the Colorado Avalanche just minutes before publishing this article. Brandon Tanev is another forward that the Jets have shown interest in, and the Kraken forward was held out of the lineup on Thursday in order to avoid risking injury.

As for defence, the name that the Jets seem to be interested in the most is Jamie Oleksiak. Several reports mentioned that the Jets were looking at Canucks defence Carson Soucy prior to him being traded to the Rangers. The Jets continue to look at several options on the blue line, as they look to solidify a group of 6 defencemen built for the playoffs. Overall, the two “needs” of the Jets continue to be another top 6 forward (preference on a centre) and a defence that can play on the 2nd or 3rd pairing, either side.

Big decisions are to be made in the next 12+ hours on one of the Jets most important trade deadlines as of recent years. The players and fans want and need a long playoff run, so adding and improving the team that is 1st in the league standings could only be beneficial in the short and possibly long term. Stay tuned here on Jets Nation for “live” updates on the NHL trade deadline, and a recap of what the Jets decide to do!