The 2026 NHL trade deadline has passed, and for the Winnipeg Jets, it was a relatively quiet affair. The Jets acquired two new players, Jacob Bryson and Isak Rosen, in exchange for Luke Schenn and Logan Stanley.
Several years ago, the enigmatic writer for The Athletic, Murat Ates, made headlines by pointing out similarities between Neal Pionk and actor John Cusack.
I took that concept and attempted to run with it, and created an ongoing Winnipeg Jets celebrity doppelganger series. Introducing the Winnipeg Jets 2025-26 trade deadline version:
Isak Rosen and Frankie Muniz
Look-a-like rating (out of 10): This is a solid 8.
Summary: From the blue eyes to the youthful visage, even as adults, these two could be brothers. If you don't remember Frankie Muniz, that is OK, because neither does his agent.
Both Muniz and Rosen were child prodigies, but questions remain about whether they can make the transition and succeed when the competition is at its highest. Both are undersized (a common critique of Isak Rosen), and both are known for having a high IQ. While that distinction for Muniz was fictionally attributed to his character on Malcolm in the Middle, for Rosen, the attribute is very real. His scouting reports are rife with accolades praising his high “hockey IQ.”
On Rosen: I love this move for the Winnipeg Jets. Taking a chance on a young, speedy forward who went fourteenth overall in 2021 is savvy. The Jets need speed, and offensive talent. Rosen has both. Undersized for sure, but a gamble worth taking.
It appears Rosen will start on the right wing with Jonathan Toews and Gustav Nyquist, which I believe is a mistake. Rosen's success in the NHL will be predicated on finding a top-six scoring role. Saddling him with two 'expired' veterans to languish on the third line is typical Jets mismanagement. What is the harm in starting him with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor? Alex Iaffalo is not the answer on that first line, so experimentation should be the mantra moving forward.
Jacob Bryson and Taylor Lautner
Look-a-like rating (out of 10): I'm less confident in this one, so a modest 6.5. I would, however, encourage readers to "Google" both individuals to really see the likeness.
Summary: Strangely, both the former Buffalo Sabres defenseman and the Twilight star are listed at 5'9" and around 175 pounds. Some might say that both are in the twilight of their careers, having never broken out.
On Bryson: The Winnipeg Jets appear to have an affinity for accumulating bottom-pair defensemen. Over the past five years, the Jets have cycled through the following D-men: Declan Chisholm, Kyle Capobianco, Nathan Beaulieu, Brenden Dillon, Colin Miller, Luke Schenn, Haydn Fleury, Isaak Phillips, and now Jacob Bryson. That is no slight to Bryson, who may prove serviceable, but replacing Stanley and Schenn with Bryson seems like a lateral move. Regardless, given his UFA status, this acquisition appears short-term.
"Doppelganging" is not an exact science, but definitely a fun exercise. If you have some of your own, please reach out to @FSJetsWhiteOut on X, and let’s get creative.