Prospect decision looms for Jets’ blue line
The Winnipeg Jets enter the coming season with a central question on defence: does Elias Salomonsson begin in the NHL, or continue his development with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose? After a year spent moving between the two clubs, the 21-year-old right-shot defender has positioned himself as one of the organization’s most closely watched prospects — and outside evaluators are taking notice.
Salomonsson, a 2022 second-round selection, advanced through Sweden’s Skellefteå program before moving to North America two seasons ago. He delivered steady production in his first pro campaign, then split this past season between the Moose and Jets while adjusting to NHL pace and responsibilities. Industry rankings and depth-chart projections released this week underscore why the decision on his landing spot matters for both benches in Winnipeg.
Rankings raise expectations
An updated top-100 list of drafted prospects by The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler places Salomonsson at 61st overall. That slotting puts him ahead of several highly regarded peers, including Sam O’Reilly (Tampa Bay), Easton Cowan (Toronto) and Max Plante (Detroit’s Hobey Baker winner). The same ranking highlighted another Jets addition, Viggo Björck, who was listed in the top 10 and ahead of names such as Carson Carels, Daxon Rudolph, James Hagens, Sam Dickinson and Michael Hage. While prospect lists are not a depth chart, they set a baseline for expectations in training camp and frame how clubs might allocate minutes early in the schedule.
“Jets fans should be excited about their standout two-way defense prospect.”
That outside confidence heightens the stakes for Winnipeg’s development plan. The Jets will balance the prospect’s readiness for NHL matchups with the benefits of top-pair minutes in the AHL — a tradeoff that can influence special-teams usage, situational deployments and confidence.
What last season says
Salomonsson’s workload spanned the Moose and Jets, offering a snapshot of his present stage and the areas each league can target for growth. Across those assignments, he logged the following results:
| Team/League | Games | Points | Plus/Minus |
|---|---|---|---|
| First North American pro season | 53 | 27 | — |
| Manitoba Moose (AHL), last season | 29 | 9 | -2 |
| Winnipeg Jets (NHL), last season | 32 | 5 | -6 |
Those numbers reflect a player already contributing at the AHL level and gaining a foothold in the NHL. They also illustrate the development calculus: consistent minutes in the AHL can accelerate puck touches and special-teams reps, while NHL duty tests decision-making and positioning against top competition.
Projections split on opening-night destination
Public depth charts are divided. Elite Prospects projects the defender to open the season with the Manitoba Moose, pointing to an AHL start as a path to larger minutes. In contrast, Daily Faceoff places him on the third pairing in Winnipeg, signposting an NHL role from the outset. Neither prediction is definitive, but together they frame a likely camp competition for roster and ice-time slots.
- If he starts in the AHL: the Moose gain a top option on the right side, with opportunities to play heavy minutes and special teams.
- If he breaks camp in the NHL: the Jets add a cost-controlled, two-way piece on their third pair, with room to grow as the season progresses.
Implications for both Winnipeg benches
For Jets decision-makers, the call centres on where Salomonsson can take the next step most efficiently. An AHL start would prioritize volume of usage and leadership responsibility with the Moose. An NHL start would emphasize adaptation to speed, reads and matchups at the highest level, with coaching staff managing minutes as needed. Either direction keeps him in Winnipeg’s system and available for recalls or assignments as performance and club needs evolve.
With one of the organization’s most prominent young defenders trending upward — and another in Björck entering the pipeline with notable acclaim — the Jets’ development track remains a focal point for fans. All eyes turn to training camp, where internal competition will help determine whether Salomonsson’s immediate address reads Canada Life Centre or the Moose’s side of the same complex on Maroons Road.
