The Winnipeg Jets are looking to several players to elevate their performance in the 2026 season, hoping to build on their previous successes. After a strong regular season in 2025, where they clinched the Presidents' Trophy, the Jets aim to translate that dominance into playoff success. However, with key players needing to step up, the pressure is on for Winnipeg to maintain its competitive edge.

Gustav Nyquist

The veteran forward, Gustav Nyquist, is one player who needs to significantly improve his contributions. Acquired to bolster the team's middle-six, Nyquist has been largely invisible, failing to provide the secondary scoring the Jets desperately need. Despite a career history of consistent offensive output, including multiple 40 and 50-point seasons, the 35-year-old has yet to find the back of the net for Winnipeg. The team is counting on him to compensate for the loss of Nikolaj Ehlers, but so far, he has not lived up to expectations.

Nino Niederreiter

Nino Niederreiter is another player who could play a bigger role in the upcoming season. While Niederreiter has been a consistent presence, he has only twice scored 50 points in a season. With Ehlers' departure, there's an opportunity for Niederreiter to step up and provide more consistent offensive production. Signed through 2027, the team needs him to be more than just a third-line grinder.

Cole Perfetti

Young forward Cole Perfetti is also under the microscope. After an injury-plagued start to the 2025-26 season, Perfetti needs to demonstrate that he can be a reliable top-six forward. There are high hopes that he can help replace some of Ehlers's offense, but he needs to stay healthy and take a significant step forward in his development.

Dylan Samberg

On the defensive end, Dylan Samberg needs to continue his growth. After a strong 2024-25 season that saw him become a top-four defenseman, the team expects him to build on that performance. With a new three-year contract in hand, Samberg needs to anchor the Jets' defense and maintain his impressive plus-minus rating. However, an early-season injury in 2025 has already set him back, and he will need to work hard to regain his momentum.

The Winnipeg Jets have a talented roster, but to achieve their Stanley Cup aspirations, these players, among others, need to elevate their game in 2026. With a mix of veterans and young players, the Jets need everyone contributing to their full potential to compete with the league's best.