Jets Off Season Preview

Another RHL season, another underwhelming exit from the playoffs as the Jets season ended at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche in the 2nd round of the RHL playoffs. All eyes are pointed to the offseason that sees one major unrestricted free agent in Connor Hellebuyck who no doubtedly is GM RBKs top priority. With no valuable draft picks this year and the top 6 forward and top 4 defensive group under contract next year, the Jets will look to fill out the remaining spots on their roster to hopefully make another deep playoff run in 2025.

As free agency approaches, GM RBK expects to be active in the trade market as much as feasible to fill out some of the remaining spots on the roster. He has expressed interest in re-signing veteran defensman Alec Martinez in free agency, but has no choice but to let him test the market. Additionally, GM RBK will look to reshape his bottom 6 with the retirement of Eric Staal and Derek Grant. He expects Morgan Geekie to be a regular contributor to the third line next season. RBK will also need to target a back up goaltender to Hellebuyck, assuming a deal gets done with the elite goaltender.

Time will tell as to the direction and bodies RBK brings in to supplement his elite core of Mikko Raantanen, David Pastrnak, Brayden Point, Nico Hischier, and Kyle Connor.

Speaking on Kyle Connor, RBK didn't rule out the possibility of a trade to regain some of the draft assets expending in the past. The team has traded its top picks for the next few years in hopes of getting over the playoff hump, and that has not panned out as hoped to date. With the team acquiring Jonathan Marchessault at last year's trade deadline, Connor has found himself a bit expendable at least for next season as the team tries to set up for long-term success. For the right offer, sources say don't be surprised to see RBK pull the trigger on something that makes sense for the now, and future of his organization. 

All and all, this shapes up to be a very interesting offseason for the RHL Jets. Many directions can be taken and multiple players targeted to fill gaps in the roster. The team estimates to have a small amount of cap space which will complicate things for RBK. Luckily, with the cap space, large ticket free agent/trade targets are not needed. Depth pieces will be the main focus should no trades materialize out of the blue.

On a less important note, the Manitoba Moose find themselves depleted of bodies, in large part due to RBKs approach to finding veterans to plug into the lineup. Expect the approach to continue into next season, with Joel Blomqvist, Mason Mannek, and Frederic Brunet expected to report to the Moose next year under the first years of their entry level contracts. The biggest question for the Moose going into next season: who will be the team's starting goaltender?