Report: Jets Talking Trade Involving Veteran Forward Nino Niederreiter
Winnipeg has already spoken with multiple teams about Niederreiter, including some in the Eastern Conference, but a trade isn’t believed to be close.
Pagnotta reported the Jets are also exploring the market for a top-six winger, which suggests they want to use the roster spot on a player who can help their offense.
Why Winnipeg Is Moving On
Pagnotta reported the move isn’t about cap space, since the Jets have just over $8.3 million available, and that the fit simply stopped working for both sides.
Niederreiter was the fifth overall pick in the 2010 draft, and is in the final year of a three-year, $12 million contract that carries a $4 million cap hit and gives him no trade protection.
He signed that extension in December 2023, after Winnipeg acquired him from Nashville at the 2023 deadline for a second-round pick.
The 33-year-old has given the Jets steady depth scoring for years, with 18 goals in 2023-24 and 17 goals and 37 points in 2024-25.
The #NHLJets are reportedly shopping forward Nino Niederreiter, per The Fourth Period. The Jets have spoken with multiple teams, including some in the Eastern Conference, but a deal is not believed to be close heading into today. https://t.co/6CtMoJpAfU
— Jets Empire (@JetsEmpire_) October 30, 2026
Last season was a different story, as he finished with eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points in 61 games.
He was hurt while playing for Switzerland at the Olympics, needed surgery when he returned to Winnipeg, and missed 20 games before coming back on the fourth line.
The Jets’ offense also dropped from 3.35 goals per game the year before to 2.80, and Niederreiter was one of several Winnipeg forwards outside the top line whose production fell.
He has been held off the scoresheet through eight games this season.
What Winnipeg Could Look For
It’s unclear whether the Jets would be willing to keep part of his salary in a deal, though Pagnotta noted the team has all three salary retention slots available.
That could make it easier to move a player who is a pending free agent, since a team taking on his $4 million cap hit could have a portion of it covered.
Niederreiter is a seven-time 20-goal scorer and has had at least 34 points in five straight seasons before 2024-25, so some contenders may view him as a bounce-back candidate.
Elliotte Friedman mentioned Nino Niederreiter as a potential trade candidate, but mentioned things are relatively calm on the trade front. @FriedgeHNIC
— The Mug NHL (@TheMugNHL) October 30, 2026
He also plays a physical game, with at least 100 hits in four straight seasons, which is a nice bonus for any aspiring playoff team who might be interested.
The Jets traded Connor Hellebuyck to New Jersey last week, and moving Niederreiter would be another step in reshaping a roster that fell short of expectations last season.
