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Winnipeg Jets announce opening day roster ahead of 2025–26 season
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Photo credit: © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Evan Waldner
Oct 7, 2025, 18:54 EDTUpdated: Oct 7, 2025, 19:00 EDT
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We’re now just two days away from another 82-game Winnipeg Jets season, and on Tuesday the team officially announced its opening day roster.
Forwards (14): Vladislav Namestnikov, Alex Iafallo, Gabriel Vilardi, Gustav Nyquist, Parker Ford, Morgan Barron, David Gustafsson, Cole Koepke, Mark Scheifele, Nino Niederreiter, Tanner Pearson, Kyle Connor, Nikita Chibrikov, Brad Lambert
Defencemen (7): Dylan DeMelo, Neal Pionk, Luke Schenn, Colin Miller, Haydn Fleury, Josh Morrissey, Logan Stanley
Goaltenders (2): Eric Comrie, Connor Hellebuyck
The Jets also clarified several roster moves leading up to Tuesday’s announcement. Defenceman Dylan Samberg and forward Cole Perfetti have been placed on injured reserve, while forwards Adam Lowry and Jonathan Toews have been designated as injured non-roster.
That leaves Winnipeg with 14 forwards, seven defencemen, and two goaltenders to open the season. Interestingly, 20 of the 23 players on the roster have previously suited up for the Jets.
How the roster was built:
Drafted (8): Chibrikov, Connor, Gustafsson, Hellebuyck, Lambert, Morrissey, Scheifele, Stanley
Acquired via trade (9): Barron, DeMelo, Iafallo, Miller, Namestnikov, Niederreiter, Pionk, Schenn, Vilardi
Signed in free agency (6): Comrie, Fleury, Ford, Koepke, Nyquist, Pearson
The Jets held practice Tuesday at Canada Life Centre, with one lingering question: will Jonathan Toews be ready for opening night? Toews skated alongside Nyquist and Chibrikov during line rushes, a promising sign despite his non-roster status.
“So, want to be sure with JT, like I said, that’s why it’s day-to-day,” said head coach Scott Arniel. “We’ll know tomorrow after practice what that lineup looks like for sure.”
If Toews isn’t cleared to play Thursday, Winnipeg’s projected lineup down the middle could look something like Scheifele – Namestnikov – Barron – Lambert, though Arniel hinted that things could still be shuffled after Wednesday’s skate.