Winnipeg Jets Place Forward Brad Lambert on Waivers

The Winnipeg Jets announced on Tuesday that they have placed forward Brad Lambert on waivers. The decision comes as the team struggles through a difficult nine-game losing streak, during which they have failed to secure a win, recording a 0-7-2 record. Lambert now has a 24-hour window to be claimed by another NHL franchise; should he clear waivers, he is expected to be assigned to the Manitoba Moose, the Jets' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate.

The move was confirmed by NHL insider Darren Dreger, who noted that the organization initiated the transaction to create roster flexibility for a potential call-up from the minor leagues. Jets beat writer Mike McIntyre suggested that the writing was on the wall for the forward, noting that the coaching staff had recently opted to utilize defenseman Tyrel Bauer at the forward position during the team's latest road trip instead of Lambert.

Lambert, a 21-year-old Finnish-Canadian forward, was originally selected by the Winnipeg Jets with the 30th overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. Born in Lahti, Finland, he developed his skills in the Finnish Liiga before moving to North American junior hockey, where he enjoyed a successful stint with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League, contributing to their championship run in 2023.

During the current season, Lambert has appeared in 11 games for the Jets, recording a single assist. Throughout his professional career, he has played in 42 NHL games, accumulating three goals and six assists with a minus-nine rating. His development has largely been split between the NHL and the AHL, where he earned a spot on the 2023-24 AHL All-Rookie Team after a productive season with the Manitoba Moose.

The decision to place Lambert on waivers arrives at a time of significant frustration for the Winnipeg organization. The team's most recent outing resulted in a 7-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, a performance that team captain Adam Lowry described as insufficient. "It's just not good enough," Lowry stated following the game. "That's kind of been the story of the streak. We've hung our goalies out to dry. Just every facet of the game hasn't been good enough for us."

As the Jets look to reverse their fortunes, speculation regarding further organizational changes continues to mount. With the team currently mired in a slump, management is evaluating various roster options to improve performance. Whether Lambert remains with the organization or is claimed by another team, the move underscores the pressure facing the Jets as they attempt to break their losing streak and stabilize their position in the standings.