Winnipeg Jets: Can Dylan Samberg Have an Impact this Upcoming Season?

The Winnipeg Jets have a young defeseman at their disposal next season. The question is whether Dylan Samberg can provide an instant impact for the Jets?

Back in early April of this year, the Winnipeg Jets made a signing that got many fans excited. The Jets made the announcement that Dylan Samberg has signed a three year entry level contract that will begin at the start of this season.

The Jets second round draft pick in the 2017 NHL Entry draft, new contract carries an average annual value (“AAV”) of $1,175,000 over the next three seasons. This is a great payday for the twenty-one year old and two time NCAA Division One Hockey Champion.

Samberg has completely dominated at the collegiate level. Over his three years with the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs Samberg has nine goals, 44 assists and was a +44 in 109 games.  It will be interesting to see if he can equate this in the NHL. We have seen many great college players turn into NHL superstars and Samberg may be the next big name.

The Minnesota native also has competed at the World Junior Championship twice. In 2019 Samberg and his USA team fell in the Championship game to Finland and in the 2018 edition of the tournament, Samberg won the bronze medal. In 14 WJC games, Samberg has one goal, five assists and had a +13 plus/minus.

There is some stiff competition for Samberg on Winnipeg’s blue line, especially on the left side. The Jets currently have Josh Morrissey, Derek Forbort, Sami Niku, Nathan Beaulieu, Luca Sbisa and Ville Heinola, who are all left-handed defenseman.

Samberg’s elite skating and passing ability may be the difference in him earning a starting role next season on the Jets. He could be a solid option for the Jets on the second or third pair on the depth chart, behind Morrissey’s pair.

Some argue that with the amount of players on Winnipeg’s defense, that it may be more beneficial for Samberg to start the year in Manitoba to get accustomed to the professional game and schedule.

Only time will tell what Samberg’s role will be next season, but he does have a high upside and potential that may be an asset to the Winnipeg Jets’ success in the coming years.

Winnipeg Jets Fans: Do you think it will be beneficial both for the Jets and Samberg for the young d-man to play for the Jets or is he better suited in Manitoba to get some game time to start his first professional season? Leave your comments below!