NHL analyst names Stanley Cup champion among three potential Winnipeg PTO targets

Offseason trading has largely concluded, leaving very few options for the Winnipeg Jets to fill in their open-depth positions. Thankfully, they still have access to the PTO option, where they could offer a tryout to an unsigned player. Recently, Declan Schroeder, a contributor with The Hockey Writers, named three potential options for this low-risk agreement, including Stanley Cup Champion Steven Lorentz.

Steven Lorentz is a 28-year-old forward with 21 goals and 43 points in 230 career NHL games. Despite having been part of the Florida Panthers Stanley Cup-winning roster at the end of the last postseason, he was not offered an extension, completing his contract from the San Jose Sharks. Though he is not a high-production forward by any means, the former 7th-round Carolina Hurricanes pick can certainly provide the penalty-killing ability in a deeper position in the Winnipeg Jets lineup.

Another option Schroeder suggested was former Edmonton Oiler winger Kailer Yamamoto. At 25 years old, the recent Seattle Kraken player has recorded 58 goals and 76 assists in 303 career NHL games, demonstrating that he has production abilities. Despite his small size, he has proven to be a quick and effective playmaker. After a rough season with just 8 goals and 16 points in 59 games, Kailer Yamamoto may be the right price for a player on his way to a comeback.

The last player Declan Schroeder suggested was recent Ottawa Senators forward Dominik Kubalik. At 93 goals and 176 points in 357 games, there is no doubt this former 7th-round Los Angeles Kings pick has outperformed his expectations in the league. However, just like Kailer Yamamoto, he had a down season from 2023-24, recording just 11 goals and 4 assists in 74 games. Yet, this 29-year-old left wing forward can still find a return to mean in his production, as he demonstrated in his impressive Mens World showing for Czechia.

The Winnipeg Jets play their first game of the upcoming NHL season on Wednesday, October 9th against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. With these players all options for a PTO deal, hopefully, they can pull in the right players to give them a good start for the 2024-25 season.

Source: The Hockey Writers
3 Players Jets Could Target on a PTO