Whether the Winnipeg Jets are a "desired location" depends on the contextâspecifically, whether you're asking about players, fans, or the franchise itself. Based on available sentiment and data, hereâs a breakdown:
For NHL players, Winnipeg often ranks low as a preferred destination. An anonymous player poll conducted by The Athletic in early 2025 found that 48.78% of 82 polled players listed the Jets as the top team on their no-trade list. Players frequently cite the cityâs cold weather and remote location as deterrents, with one quoted saying, âItâs f*cking cold. I havenât heard a guy go to Winnipeg and be like, âThis is going to be my forever home.ââ This sentiment echoes previous surveys, like one in 2019 where 42% of players dubbed Winnipeg the worst road city. The harsh wintersâJanuary 2024 saw an average low of -23.6°Câand geographic isolation contribute to this perception. However, players already with the Jets donât always share this view. Some, like Brandon Tanev in a March 2025 interview, praised the atmosphere, calling Winnipeg fans âthe best in the NHLâ and the Canada Life Centre a âgreat place to play.â Others, interviewed by Winnipeg Free Press in February 2025, called the poll ânarrow-mindedâ and defended the cityâs appeal, suggesting that those who experience it often grow to appreciate it.
From a fan perspective, Winnipeg is undeniably a desired location for hockey. The Jets boast passionate support, with the Canada Life Centre known as one of the NHLâs loudest arenas. The âWinnipeg White-Outâ playoff tradition exemplifies this enthusiasm. Despite a dip in season ticket renewals (from 13,000 to 9,500 over three seasons ending in 2023-24), the teamâs on-ice successâlike their 14-1-0 start in 2024-25âkeeps fans engaged. Posts on X and media reports consistently highlight this loyalty, with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman noting in 2024, âThis is a place where hockey matters.â
For the franchise, Winnipegâs desirability is mixed. The Jets relocated from Atlanta in 2011, reviving NHL hockey in a city with a rich hockey history, including the original Jets (1972â1996). Yet, itâs the leagueâs smallest market, with a 15,225-seat arena and a valuation of $1.1 billion (31st of 32 teams per Sportico in 2024). Economic challengesâlike reliance on individual fans rather than corporate ticket buyers and a fluctuating Canadian dollarâraise viability concerns, as they did when the original Jets left for Phoenix in 1996. Still, the current teamâs competitive edge (38-14-3 as of February 2025) and True North Sports & Entertainmentâs commitment suggest Winnipeg remains a desired home for the Jets organizationally.
In short, Winnipeg isnât a top choice for many NHL players due to climate and location, but itâs a cherished spot for fans and a viable, if challenging, home for the franchise. Players who stay often come to value it, hinting that perception might shift with sustained success. Whatâs your angleâplayers, fans, or something else?