Nick Wosika / USA Today Sports

Fantasy Summary

A talented two-way defenseman with multi-category upside. Skates well with a good shot. Effective penalty killer. Has more value in leagues with higher points for hits and blocks.


Observations

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August 2023 – Samberg signed a two-year, $2.8 million contract with an AAV of $1.4 million on July 5, 2023, with the Winnipeg Jets. He played in 63 games with the Jets during the 2022-23 season, scoring two goals and six assists for eight points, adding 91 hits and 93 blocked shots. Mark Henry

April 2022 – After being expected to crack the Jets opening night roster, Samberg’s season has been derailed twice on route to solidifying himself at the NHL level this season. Once, on the first day of training camp with a high ankle sprain that sidelined the blueliner for eight weeks. The second, an upper body injury during his NHL debut stint which lasted six games, after a well-deserved recall during the Jets January bout with covid. 

While his four assists in nine NHL appearances this year may not scream offensive prowess, Samberg’s game is technically sound, particularly in the defensive and neutral zones. His efficient skating mechanics, active stick, and strong awareness emphasizes his ability to close gaps and move pucks skillfully. Although not overly aggressive, he’s got some jam to his game. In a 6-4 and 216 lbs frame, he delivers reliable hits and blocks while chipping in periodically on offence. Albeit a small NHL sample size, he is providing solid peripheral contributions while looking especially impressive of late alongside Brendan Dillon on the third defensive pairing. The Jets have some challenging organizational decisions to be made this offseason, but Samberg appears primed to become a regular in the Jets lineup. He provides a steady reliable two-way game as advertised, at a valued price-point for next season. Justin Kaye

April 2020 – Samberg signed a three-year entry level contract with the Jets and it would appear he is set to make the jump to the pro level next year. Before he is ready for the NHL, Samberg will need to improve his foot speed to be able to compete with the quickness around the league. Expect him to be at Jets training camp in September, but it could be an extended stay with the Moose before he acclimates to the pace of the game. Jamie Zadow

March 2019 – The large pivot took some good strides in his development this year and even flashed a physical side to his game at the U20 World Junior Championships. Samberg is getting ready for the NCHC Playoffs with the UMD Bulldogs where they will face Omaha in a two-game series. Jamie Zadow

January 2019 – Samberg’s sophomore season at the University of Minnesota-Duluth appears to be a mirror image of his freshman year as he is on pace to match 13 points. He was a part of a United States squad that took home silver at the U20 World Junior Championships earlier this month and looks the part of a prospect that might need the full four years in college before he is ready for the pro level. Jamie Zadow

January 2018 – Samberg debuted at the U20 World Junior Championships in Buffalo and put together a strong performance. The blueliner tallied one goal and four points in seven games to help the United States claim a bronze medal. The 19-year-old isn’t exactly turning heads in his freshman season at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, tallying just five points in 23 games so far, but his strong performance at the World Juniors should have the Jets front office smiling. Jamie Zadow

September 2017 – Samberg is gearing up for his freshman year with the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He should feel right at home, born in Minnesota himself, and tallied 42 points in 49 games for parts of three teams between the USHS and USHL last season. Samberg possesses a heavy shot from the blue line and can make a clean, crisp pass through the neutral zone onto the stick of his teammates. It remains to be seen if he will play all four years at the college level, but his size and skating ability should make Jets fans optimistic for the future.  Jamie Zadow

July 2017 – Samberg came into the 2017 NHL Entry Draft as one of the more intriguing blue line options of his draft class. The Minnesota native has plenty of size to go with a heavy shot – he led all defensemen at Hermantown High with 10 goals and 28 points last season. The blueliner has a more athletic frame and skates well for his 6-3, 211 frame than your average NHL-er with that type of size. Samberg is a very raw talent that will play for the University of Minnesota-Duluth in the upcoming season where he will likely need plenty of seasoning before he is ready for the NHL. Jamie Zadow

Attributes
Fantasy Upside 5.0
NHL Certainty 9.0
Country USA
Position D
Roster Type NHL
Shoot/Glove Left
Date of Birth January 24, 1999
Height 6‘4”
Weight 219 lbs
Drafted 2017 Round 2; Overall: 43

Stats

 Season Team League GP G A TP PIM      Playoffs GP G A TP PIM 
 2008-2009 Minnesota Blades Brick Invitational5 0 00 2|        
 2014-2015 Hermantown HighUSHS-MN11 1 01 0|Playoffs3 0 00
  Hermantown HighMN State3 0 00 0|        
 2015-2016 Hermantown HighMN State3 1 01 0|        
  B16 - Blue (Final 54)MNHP-163 0 00 -|        
  Hermantown HighUSHS-MN23 5 1318 6|Playoffs3 1 23
  Team Kowalski's UMHSEHL10 0 22 2|        
 2016-2017 Hermantown HighUSHS-MN25 10 1828 43|Playoffs3 0 22
  Hermantown HighMN State3 1 34 0|        
  Team White USA-S175 0 22 -|        
  Team Kowalski's UMHSEHL18 5 712 14|Playoffs3 1 12
  Waterloo Black HawksUSHL6 1 12 0|Playoffs8 1 23
  B17 - Blue (Final 54)MNHP-173 1 34 -|        
 2017-2018 Univ. of Minnesota-DuluthNCAA42 1 1213 43|        
  USA U20WJC-207 1 34 8|        
 2018-2019 Univ. of Minnesota-DuluthNCAA39 7 1219 35|        
  USA U20WJC-207 0 22 4|        
 2019-2020 Univ. of Minnesota-DuluthNCAA28 1 2021 18|        
 2020-2021 Manitoba MooseAHL32 1 67 15|        
 2021-2022 Winnipeg JetsNHL15 0 55 4|        
  Manitoba MooseAHL32 0 1212 26|Playoffs5 0 11
 2022-2023 Winnipeg JetsNHL63 2 68 25|Playoffs5 0 00
  USAWC10 1 34 4|        
 2023-2024 Winnipeg JetsNHL- - -- -|        

Highlights