Stanley Cup Hopes in Jeopardy as Analyst Says Jets Are Sabotaging Their Own Future

Per Adam Proteau of The Hockey News, the Jets aren't in as good a position going into this year as they were in 2024-25.

The Jets remain a good team. But we have to arrive at the conclusion they're not as good as they were throughout the 2024-25 regular season and playoffs. That may change, as Cheveldayoff still has $10.54-million in salary cap space to play with. And the Jets are built to win now, so Cheveldayoff isn't going to be making trades for draft picks and prospects. He's going to spend to the cap ceiling on proven veterans and talent that can help make Winnipeg be more than just a great regular-season team.

Proteau believes unless significant moves are made the Jets will fall short once again due to their own inactivity.

With the lack of high-end moves he's made this summer, Cheveldayoff is banking that his core talents are going to evolve into needle-movers in the second round of the playoffs and beyond. However, as it stands, the Jets have clearly taken a step back.

Heading into the postseason, the Jets represented Canada's best hope to win the Stanley Cup before the Oilers eventually advanced to the SCF for the 2nd year in a row.

If Proteau's assessment of the Jets is any indication, they likely won't be in that position next spring.