Poor Winnipeg.
Being first in the NHL standings doesn’t seem to be helping the Winnipeg Jets when it comes to changing players’ views on the organization.
The Winnipeg Jets are a good team and have been for some time, making the playoffs in seven of the last 10 seasons. Still, they’ve often struggled to bring players in through both free agency and trade.
Players often cite the cold weather and remote location as to why the Jets aren’t an attractive market. One would think their league-best 38-14-3 record may be enough to change players’ minds, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.
The Athletic recently conducted an anonymous survey with several current NHLers. One of the questions asked who the first team on their no-trade list would be, and despite their success in 2024-25, the Jets received by far and away the most votes.
“It’s f*cking cold. I haven’t heard a guy go to Winnipeg and be like, ‘This is going to be my forever home,’” one player said.
Of the 82 players polled for this specific question, 48.78% picked the Jets, indicating just how difficult it is to convince players to come and play for Manitoba’s capital city.
Several others also mentioned the cold weather as a factor while also suggesting there isn’t a lot to do in the city. One went as far as critiquing the food.
Through the month of January in 2024, Winnipeg was reported to have had an average low of -23.6 °C. Meanwhile, Edmonton, also known for its harsh winters, sat at an average of -18.5 °C. Alberta’s capital isn’t a whole lot warmer, yet they weren’t on the list. This could give some hope to Jets fans that if their play this season can be sustained over the next few years, outsiders’ perspectives may eventually begin to sway.
The Athletic conducts these player surveys annually, and each time, the Jets seem to ‘win’ this poll or similarly worded questions. Last year, they received 41.24% of the vote in a question asking players which road city was the worst in the NHL. Back in 2019, 42% of the players yet again dubbed it as the worst road city in another anonymous survey with ESPN.
To the Jets’ credit, while many players don’t seem to want to join the organization, those who are already in the fold don’t seem to have much issue with the city. Both Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck helped prove that when they both agreed to eight-year extensions shortly before the 2023-24 season.