Brad Lambert voiced his disappointment with the Winnipeg Jets coaches for cutting him

The Winnipeg Jets finalized their roster decisions on Monday, sending young prospects Brad Lambert, Nikita Chibrikov, and Elias Salomonsson back to the AHL as they finalized their 23-man roster. Head coach Scott Arniel vouched for these players, emphasizing that they are still in the mix for future call-ups. With the coaching staff, flexibility and openness are there to integrate such prospects should injuries or performance issues arise, which shows their development is far from over. Brad Lambert was in no mood for playing games and definitely voiced his frustration towards the Jets coaching staff during an interview.

In the offseason, Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff talked about opportunities for younger players, but as the season draws near, this team will likely take to the ice not all that different than last year. No young players have cracked the opening night lineup, a fact that could be frustrating for fans who get anxious to see new talent on the ice. Still, the management's conservative approach reflects a belief in the current roster's stability and experience.

It seems likely that injuries will play a significant part in determining when or if these young prospects get their chance this season. The Jets had remarkable luck last year with a healthy defensive core, and it wasn't until the playoffs that they got even minor injuries to Logan Stanley and Brenden Dillon. This year is looking more precarious. With Stanley and Ville Heinola likely to miss significant time, the door may open sooner rather than later for prospects like Salomonsson.

Lambert and Chibrikov were fairly impressive during the preseason, flashing at times why they may earn a spot later on in the season. First, it goes without saying that Lambert is a dynamic player in his playing style and could be a very natural fit if one of the top-six forwards goes down. Chibrikov's versatility makes him an ideal replacement in the bottom six. Both players are on the cusp of a breakthrough and could find themselves playing key roles as the season wears on, especially considering the event of injuries and slumps among the Jets' forwards.

While it's a foregone conclusion that the young prospects will not start the year with the Jets, at the very least, Scott Arniel's philosophy provides reassurance that Lambert, Chibrikov, and Salomonsson are not far away from making their mark. The measured approach by the coaching staff, along with possible injury issues, would suggest these players get their chance to contribute in meaningful ways, keeping the future bright for the team's young core.