Exploring options for top-six winger with high-end prospects Nikita Chibrikov and Brad Lambert being potential options.
The Winnipeg Jets suffered big causalities in the lineup when losing forwards Nikolaj Ehlers and Mason Appleton to free agency. In response, Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff made a few moves that seemingly improved the team's top six with a new second line centre in Jonathan Toews, effectively pushing centre Vladislav Namestnikov to the third line where he appears to be a better fit for his talents.
To replace Ehlers, they added Nashville's Gustav Nyquist, who has proven to be a consistent 40-50 point producer with upside as high as 75 points, which he recorded in the 2023-24 season. The hope is that he would replicate this success however, Nyquist is coming off a tough year in which he recorded career-worst numbers across the board with 28 points through 79 games. The 35-year-old winger may be starting to see his production decline with age and if the Jets want to remain competitive, they should have a backup plan.
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Many contending teams are utilizing some of their young talent to prop up the rest of their lineup by giving a prospect an opportunity to play in the top six. This can be seen in Edmonton, where high-end prospect Isaac Howard is expected to play with Connor McDavid on the top line as well as in St. Louis with Jimmy Snuggerud, who is expected to play top line minutes with Robert Thomas.
The Jets could do something similar with their high-end prospects looking to make the jump to the NHL with one of them being Brad Lambert. The 2022 first round pick had a down year last season, along with the rest of the Manitoba Moose, as he recorded just 35 points through 61 games. Lambert has shown bursts of offence like in the 2023-24 season, when he put up 21 goals and 34 assists for 55 points through 64 games with the Moose and forced his way into five games with the Jets.
The 21-year-old Finnish winger has a 0.67 point-per-game average at the AHL level and will be looking to challenge for a roster spot this upcoming training camp and preseason. Competition for the fourth line right wing position will likely be between Lambert, newcomer from the Bruins in Cole Koepke, and another young prospect from the Moose in Nikita Chibrikov.
With a slightly worse 0.65 point-per-game average, Chibrikov offers the Jets another high-end prospect option at right wing and is slightly more matured at 22 years old. The position battle will be a fierce one as the former 2021 second round pick has played five NHL games and has excelled when given an opportunity with three goals and an assist for four points compared to Lambert's two through six NHL games.
Both prospects will be battling for an everyday spot and could challenge bench boss Scott Arniel to make some adjustments to the lineup. If Nyquist has another down year and sees his production drop to roughly 30-35 points once again, it could persuade Arniel to move him down the lineup and onto the third line, where it's typical to put up that many points. This would then allow Arniel to test drive a young player in Lambert or Chibrikov with a chance to play alongside quality forwards like Toews and Perfetti.
With his point-per-game production, it's worth exploring the option with Chibrikov as it could provide the Jets with another top end talent. If things don't go the way they hope they can always make adjustments and move Chibrikov back to the bottom of the lineup.
The developing talent of these young Moose players will provide an intriguing storyline heading into training camp and could lead to roster moves that could move the Jets towards another Stanley Cup contending roster.
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