Ahead of NHL free agency, the Jets chose not to qualify RFA Jaret Anderson-Dolan, making him an unrestricted free agent for the 2026-27 season and free to sign with any NHL club, including Winnipeg. The organization took a similar approach with Mason Shaw last summer before ultimately bringing him back on a one-year NHL contract.
Six days into free agency, the initial rush of signings has slowed, but Anderson-Dolan remains without a contract. Several other former Jets and Moose players have already found new homes, including Colin Miller (Lausanne HC), Luke Schenn (Canucks), Dylan Anhorn (Blackhawks), Eric Comrie (Sharks), Jacob Bryson (Red Wings), Mason Shaw (Wild) and Ville Heinola (Golden Knights). As well deals overseas for Samuel Fagemo (Frölunda HC) and Kale Clague (Avtomobilist) were announced last month.
That isn’t much of a surprise as GM Kevin Cheveldayoff indicated the plan is for the Moose to get younger this season, with prospects Kevin He (2024 fourth round) and Kieron Walton (2024 sixth round) expected to join an already youthful roster.
With that in mind, there are just three players who finished last season under Jets contracts that remain unsigned.
Gustav Nyquist
Nyquist signed a one-year, $3 million contract with Winnipeg last summer, but the fit never really materialized. After recording 28 points in a season split between Minnesota and Nashville in 2024-25, the veteran winger managed just 12 points, including one goal, in 51 games with the Jets.
With more than 900 NHL games on his resume, the 36-year-old has plenty of experience to offer. Whether that results in another NHL opportunity or leads him overseas remains to be seen.
Jaret Anderson-Dolan
After Nashville chose not to qualify him in 2024, Anderson-Dolan signed a two-year contract with Winnipeg that began in the 2024-25 season.
He appeared in seven regular season games with the Jets that year before dressing for five playoff contests, scoring his first career postseason goal. This past season, he played all 72 games for Manitoba, posting 13 goals and 23 assists for 36 points while also setting the franchise record for the fastest goal to begin a game.
Still just 26 years old, the Calgary product appears to have plenty left in the tank and seems like the most likely of the trio to land another NHL contract.
Phillip Di Giuseppe
Di Giuseppe arrived in the organization last July after helping Abbotsford capture the Calder Cup, bringing more than 300 games of NHL experience to Manitoba on a one-year, two-way contract.
The Toronto product appeared in all 72 games for the Moose, recording 15 goals and 20 assists for 35 points, but never earned a recall to Winnipeg. At 32 years old, he could still attract NHL interest, although Europe could also be an appealing option.
With the first wave of free agency now in the rearview mirror, Nyquist, Di Giuseppe and Anderson-Dolan are the only players who finished last season under Jets contracts still waiting for their next opportunity.
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