Two Star Players Sign With Canadian Rivals After Rejecting Winnipeg Jets in Free Agency

To fill his void, the Jets took a chance on veteran Jonathan Toews, signing him to a one-year, bonus-filled contract. However, Jonathan Toews has not played in more than two years, and his impact remains far from certain.

It was said that the Jets made significant offers to acquire top-line players, offering big deals to Brock Boeser and Andrew Mangiapane.

Brock Boeser, 28, signed with the Vancouver Canucks for seven years at $50.75 million, despite a reported 'big swing' by Winnipeg.

Andrew Mangiapane turned down more money offered by Winnipeg

Andrew Mangiapane, meanwhile, turned down a more lucrative offer by the Jets to join the Edmonton Oilers for two years worth $7.2 million, so that he could play with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

'During the press conference, Cheveldayoff said that Ehlers informed the team he wasn't coming back on July 2, the day before he officially agreed to terms with the Carolina Hurricanes. That didn't prevent the Jets from taking a big swing on Day 1 at bringing in right-winger Brock Boeser, but he never really wanted to leave the Vancouver Canucks, so he stayed.

The Jets also made an offer to middle-six winger Andrew Mangiapane, but he took a bit less money for the opportunity to potentially ride shotgun with one of Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. Mikael Granlund got a three-year deal with an AAV of $7 million and that was probably too steep a price for the Jets at this stage of his career, even with his versatility of being able to play centre or wing.'

- NHL insider Ken Wiebe

The move is evidence of the ongoing failure Winnipeg suffers in attracting top players, even when a contender.

With franchise stalwarts Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele aging, and Kyle Connor just a year away from being an unrestricted free agent, the Jets have no option. If they wish to stay in the hunt, now is the time to start taking some risks.