Via sportslogos.net

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Welcome to the September edition of the DobberProspects 32-in-32 Series. This month, we explore each organization in depth, examining its recent graduates, risers, fallers, and top-20 fantasy prospects. 

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By: Mark Henry

After a quiet summer, the Winnipeg Jets finally saw forward Cole Perfetti sign a two-year, $6.5 million contract on Monday, September 24, 2024. The contract has an average annual value of $3.25 million.

Many of the Jets’ prospects that participated in the 2024 Young Stars Classic in Penticton, B.C., from September 13-16, 2024, versus prospects from the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, and Vancouver Canucks are part of their 2024 NHL training camp, which will run from Thursday, September 19, to Friday, October 4, 2024. Their American Hockey League affiliate, Manitoba Moose, started its training camp on September 30, 2024, preparing for the 2024-25 season.

2024 Young Stars Classic Roster link: 2024 Winnipeg Jets Young Stars Classic roster.pdf – Google Drive

Winnipeg Jets 2024 Training Camp Roster link: 2024 Winnipeg Jets TC roster.pdf – Google Drive

Manitoba Moose 2024 Training Camp Roster link: 2024 Training Camp Roster – Manitoba Moose (moosehockey.com)

Forwards Nikita Chibrikov and Brad Lambert are not listed as graduates because they’re still in NHL training camp, vying for an opening-night roster spot. Defenseman Ville Heinola’s chance to solidify an NHL roster spot is again up in the air. He is out injured after he had surgery on his ankle—the same one where an infection was found just a couple of days into training camp—and is out for at least four weeks.

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Graduating Players

From Europe to the CHL

Markus Loponen will play in the Western Hockey League with the Victoria Royals in 2024-25 after having his contract with Kärpät of the SM-liiga in Finland terminated on August 19, 2024.

From the ECHL to the AHL

Thomas Milic played 33 games for the AHL’s Manitoba Moose during the 2023-24 season and posted a 19-9-2 record with one shutout, a 2.72 GAA, and .900 SV%. Milic made his professional debut in 2023-24 with the ECHL’s Norfolk Admirals, where he went 11-3-2 with two shutouts, a 2.45 GAA, and .908 SV%. Milic will be a full-time AHL goaltender for the Manitoba Moose during the 2024-25 season.

From the USHL to the NCAA

Zachary Nehring played 44 games with the Sioux Falls Stampede during the 2023-24 season; he had 14 points (nine goals and five assists). He added two assists in three playoff games with the Stampede. Nehring plays at Western Michigan in the NCAA during the 2024-25 season.

From Junior to Pro (NHL/AHL/ECHL)

Domenic DiVincentiis will turn pro in 2024-25. He will likely start the season in the ECHL with the Norfolk Admirals, following a developmental path similar to Thomas Milic’s.

From Europe to North America

Elias Salomonsson is getting an extended look at the Winnipeg Jets 2024 training camp. While starting his career in North America with Manitoba Moose seemed like a foregone conclusion before the 2024-25 season, injuries to Jets defenseman Logan Stanley and Ville Heinola have given Salomonsson a chance to show Winnipeg’s new coaching staff if he is ready to crack the NHL opening night roster.

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Risers

Thomas Milic seems to find success everywhere he plays. While he’s not a highly drafted, fast-rising prospect, he goes about his business and gets the job done everywhere he plays. With two-time Vezina Trophy-winning netminder Connor Hellebuyck signed long-term, there is no need to rush Milic. With success in the AHL, Milic could be in the conversation as soon as the 2026-27 season to become an NHL backup goaltender.

Brad Lambert was named to the 2023-24 AHL All-Rookie Team after a 55-point campaign (21 goals and 34 assists) in 64 games. The 2022 first-round (30th overall) pick is getting every opportunity to crack the Winnipeg Jets opening night roster as their second-line center.

During his first season in North America, Nikita Chibrikov played in 70 games with the Manitoba Moose. He produced 47 points (17 goals and 30 assists). He is fighting for a bottom-six spot on the Winnipeg Jets in their 2024 training camp.

Elias Salomonsson could be argued as the Winnipeg Jets’ top prospect defenseman, considering Ville Heinola’s injury history and lack of opportunity to prove he is ready to take the next step in his career. Salomonsson is trending in the right direction as he starts his career in North America.

The Jets selected Jacob Julien in the fifth round in 2023 (146th overall). He had a breakout sophomore season with the London Knights in 2023-24, scoring 78 points (29 goals and 49 assists) in 67 games. He participated in the 2024 Memorial Cup after the London Knights won the J.Ross Robertson Cup as OHL Champions. In 18 playoff games, Julien tallied 18 points (nine goals and nine assists) and added three assists in four games at the 2024 Memorial Cup.

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Fallers

Two players stand out as fallers in the Winnipeg Jets prospect pool, and it’s due to their ability to stay healthy.

Chaz Lucius missed most of the 2023-24 season after surgery on an injured ankle in January; this was the fourth straight season that his season ended due to injury. Lucius needs to prove he can stay healthy and start producing in the AHL; he has two years left on his entry-level contract.

Ville Heinola underwent surgery on his fractured left ankle sustained on Thursday, October 5, 2023. He returned to action with the Manitoba Moose in January 2024 and played 41 games; he scored ten goals and added 17 assists for 27 points. Fast forward to the 2024 NHL training camp with the Jets, and Heinola is out again to start the 2024-25 after having surgery on the same ankle.

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Organizational Depth Chart

(Combination NHL readiness and upside)

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Top 20 Fantasy Prospects

This section is intended to show the Winnipeg Jets prospects, whose current trajectory projects them to make the most positive fantasy impact when they reach the NHL. Arrival date and NHL certainty have been considered; however, potential upside is the most important factor in determining this list.

1. Brad Lambert
2. Brayden Yager
3. Colby Barlow
4. Nikita Chibrikov
5. Ville Heinola
6. Elias Salomonsson
7. Alfons Freij
8. Chaz Lucius
9. Dmitri Rashevsky
10. Thomas Milic
11. Danny Zhilkin
12. Jacob Julien
13. Kieron Walton
14. Kevin He
15. Dmitri Kuzmin
16. Jaret Anderson-Dolan
17. Connor Levis
18. Parker Ford
19. Markus Loponen
20. Domenic DiVincentiis

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Thanks for reading. Follow me on  X @markhenry and find Winnipeg Jets prospect updates here. Winnipeg Jets – DobberProspects