Training camp is finally here. A time of opportunity and optimism, many young players are looking to make an impact in the preseason in hopes of earning a full-time job in the NHL.
The Winnipeg Jets are generally a patient organization when it comes to their prospects, and the plan seems to be to stay patient once again. However, the Jets are heading into 2025-26 with the oldest roster in the league, and sustained a significant loss of speed and skill in the departure of winger Nikolaj Ehlers in free agency.
Coupled with Jets captain Adam Lowry missing the start of the season while recovering from hip surgery, the team may actually benefit from a young forward forcing their way into a prominent role in the Jets’ forward group during training camp.
The four players below are looking to be that young player that gives a boost in production in the post-Ehlers era in Winnipeg.
Brayden Yager (C)
All eyes are on the 20 year old, as the Jets’ top forward prospect said to Jamie Thomas of NHL.com that he’s looking to make an impact on the main roster.
"I'm 20 years old now and I'm turning pro too so I've got to fight for a job too. So yeah, that's the goal coming into camp. I want to earn a spot on the team. That's all there really is to say. I want to earn a spot on the team."Brayden Yager, NHL.com
Yager’s coming off of a stellar junior career in the WHL, most recently being a big part of the Lethbridge Hurricanes’ playoff run, putting up 14 points in 16 playoff games after an 82 point regular season. He’s also played for the last two Canadian World Juniors teams, putting up eight points in 10 games over those two tournaments. Most recently, Yager also served as captain for the 2025 under-20 squad.
A two-way centre with a knack for driving offensive play, Yager shows all the promise to be a top two centre at the NHL level. The only thing holding Yager back this season is the competition at his position.
With a healthy roster, the Jets’ centre depth seems to be locked down heading into the season, with veteran presence in spades. Yager is also easy to send down, being waiver exempt, so it would be easier to cut Yager than other forwards in the organization.
If Yager earns a full-time role, it’s most likely he won’t be playing down the middle to start, and the Jets have the opportunity to be patient with his development for this season.
Brad Lambert (C/RW)
The player with the most experience at the NHL level (just six games), Brad Lambert’s time to make the leap as a full time player should be now.
The former 30th overall pick back in 2022 is coming off the back of a campaign riddled with consistency issues, with just seven goals and 35 points, and injury troubles that limited him to 61 games.
Lambert has shown flashes of the play that once had him as a projected top-five pick in his draft year, and we’ve also seen him produce at the pro level, putting up 55 points in 64 games back in 2023-24.
If he can find consistency in his game, Lambert would be an immediate boost in speed and skill into this forward group, however he needs to show in camp he can be consistent and produce well with the big club.
Nikita Chibrikov (LW/RW)
On the opposite side of Lambert, Nikita Chibrikov has shown in short call-ups that he can provide scoring lower in the lineup at the NHL level. In 2024-25, the 22 year old winger put up three points through four games with the big club, and was the Moose’s leading scorer back in January until a lower-body injury prematurely ended his campaign.
Chibrikov’s offensive-minded game and his ability to play on special teams makes him an intriguing option for the Jets in 25-26. He also seems to be the most NHL-ready of Winnipeg’s forward prospects, showing he’s been able to produce when given an opportunity.
Similarly to Lambert, the time for Chibrikov to make the big club is now, and with an excellent camp, he may very well be given that opportunity to be a regular in the Jets lineup.
Colby Barlow (LW)
Colby Barlow is an interesting player. The 18th overall selection in 2023 was around a point-per-game player in the OHL during the regular season, but really broke out in the playoffs, finishing third in scoring with 33 points in just 21 games.
Barlow was drafted as a winger with not much skating upside, however he made up for that in effort, tenacity and a nose for the net, all of which are still prominent parts of his game.
His skating still leaves something to be desired, especially at the NHL level, however Barlow could potentially find himself in a bottom six, physical role on the Jets roster sooner rather than later.
Like Yager, Barlow is yet to play a full pro season, so it might be best for the 20 year old to get some more reps with the Moose before he’s looked at as a full time NHLer.