The Winnipeg Jets have announced the signing of Brad Lambert to a three-year entry-level contract. The deal carries an AAV of $1.2M annually.
Lambert was the later first-round selection of the Jets in the 2022 NHL Draft, getting picked 30th overall after Rutger McGroarty was picked 14th overall. The 18-year-old prospect plays the center position. During his draft year, he was often ranked in the top half of the first round but fell to the bottom of the first round.
Lambert has an unusual pedigree coming into the NHL. He was born in Lahti, Finland and plays nationally for Team Finland but he has roots in Canada as well.
He has been described by Nick Richard from Dobber Hockey as a “dynamic forward who drives the play with his combination of elite skating ability and excellent puck skills. (He) needs to round out his game but has first-line NHL potential.”
At 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, Lambert already has the size to compete physically at the professional level. He has experience playing pro as he played the last three seasons in the SM-Liiga, which is the top league in Finland. In total he played 99 games in the SM-Liiga over the last three seasons, scoring 11 goals and 27 points. While those numbers don’t seem like a lot from a North American perspective, it’s solid considering he was a teenager playing against men.
Lambert had the chance to play alongside fellow 2022 draftee Joakim Kemell with the JyP HT Jyvaskyla. Kemell was drafted by the Nashville Predators 17th overall and if they both make the NHL lineup this year they may have a chance to face each other again.
It will be an uphill battle for Lambert to make the NHL lineup this year but signing an entry-level contract is a good step in the right direction.
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