Hustler is joined by Murat Ates of The Athletic to tackle two of the biggest Winnipeg Jets storylines from training camp.
• How will the blue line adjust with Dylan Samberg sidelined 6–8 weeks?
• Who steps up alongside Neal Pionk — Hayden Fleury, Logan Stanley, or Vili Heinola?
• Could Kyle Connor’s new contract reshape the Jets’ salary structure, especially after Kaprizov’s massive deal in Minnesota?
Murat breaks down lineup possibilities, the impact of organizational policies on bonuses, and what it means for the Jets’ long-term outlook.
If you’re a Jets fan wondering how the team navigates these challenges, this conversation has the answers.
📌 Let us know in the comments: What would you do with the Jets’ defensive pairings until Samberg returns?
Topics:
ntro (00:00)
Jets’ blue line questions at camp (00:30)
Dylan Samberg’s injury timeline & impact (01:20)
Who steps up with Neal Pionk? (02:40)
Vili Heinola’s opportunity & past hurdles (05:00)
Defensive pairings debate (07:00)
Risks with a Stanley–Shen pairing (08:00)
Kaprizov’s massive contract & ripple effect (09:20)
Kyle Connor contract implications (10:30)
Signing bonuses vs Jets’ organizational policy (12:30)
Why Winnipeg struggles with contract structure (14:00)
Will Jets break tradition for Connor? (15:30)
Closing thoughts (16:00)
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1 Comment
Do you think Jets/Chevy should target Mercer? Exapecially after they just signed Hughes for 9m they are 3.9m over cap.
Maybe jets trade
Lambert who makes 886k on 2yrs ELC
A 2nd ot 3rd rounder
Gustafson just turned 25 makes 835k would have more of chance in NJ
And either a low prospect/Heinola since we would lose for free waivers.
For
Mercer signed 2yrs at 4m NJ would be Cap complient. Have more depth
Mercer won't get 2C/1C time behind Hughes/Hischier.
He's 23 from Maritimes maybe would stay long term wpg+rfa he's more ready can be part of next core with Perfetti.
Because Toews is 37 and Lowry returning surgery doing this deal makes alot of sense. Having Vlad,Mercer,Lowry,Toews who can swap in and out depends on who's playing well + as toews retires/Lowry regresses to 4th liner Mercer would be able take 2C one day. And Yager can wait start off bottom6/3C when ready.
Connor Scheifele Villardi
Perfetti Mercer Nyquist
Nino Toews Namestnikov
Iafallo Lowry Pearson
Barron
I am happy with rest of team I just feel a 2C/middle 6 center makes alot of sense even closer to deadline Pageau,Zacha,RyanStrome,Schenn,Kadri. As cap is going up jets will need value deals/rfa.