3 Winnipeg Jets Contract Extension Candidates

The 2025 NHL Trade Deadline saw several teams make moves, and the league looks far different now. Yet, now that the deadline has passed, we won’t see any more trades until after the season. Although this is the case, we still could see teams sign players to contract extensions. As a result, we here at NHLTR will be going over three contract extension candidates from each team.

Nikolaj Ehlers

Ehlers is the Jets' most notable pending unrestricted free agent, and it is pretty likely that they will try to keep him around beyond this season. The 29-year-old forward is in the middle of an excellent season with the Jets, posting 21 goals, 56 points, and a plus-16 rating in 56 games. Thus, they certainly could try to get him extended before July 1.

Neal Pionk

Pionk is another pending UFA who the Jets could look to extend. The 29-year-old defenseman is a key part of their blueline, as he plays top-four minutes and gets time on their power play. In 65 games this season with the Jets, he has nine goals, 37 points, and a plus-20 rating.

Gabriel Vilardi

Unlike Ehlers and Pionk, Vilardi is a pending restricted free agent. Thus, he will remain under team control if he is without his next contract by July 1. However, given how important of a player Vilardi is for the Jets, they could look to lock him up sooner rather than later. In 65 games this season, he has set new career-highs with 26 goals, 33 assists, and 59 points.