Winnipeg Jets Place Forward Brad Lambert on Waivers Amid Struggles
The Winnipeg Jets have placed forward Brad Lambert on waivers after a lackluster start to the season, with just one assist in 11 games and negative plus-minus rating. The 22-year-old, a former first-round pick, is expected to return to the AHL's Manitoba Moose if he clears waivers. His offensive potential remains, but the Jets believe he needs more development time at the minor league level.
The Winnipeg Jets placed forward Brad Lambert on waivers on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, after a disappointing start to the season in which he recorded just one assist in 11 NHL games and posted a minus-5 rating. The 22-year-old, selected 30th overall in the 2022 draft, has averaged only 9:10 of ice time per game and was last seen playing under nine minutes in a 5-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. If he clears waivers by Wednesday, Lambert is expected to return to the AHL’s Manitoba Moose, where he has previously shown strong offensive production with 36 goals and 106 points in 173 games. His NHL totals stand at three goals and nine points across 42 appearances. The decision reflects the Jets’ assessment that further development at the minor league level is necessary for his growth, despite his prior status as a top-tier prospect. Elliotte Friedman reported the move on X, noting that Lambert’s offensive upside remains intact but that his current NHL role has not yielded results.
The Jets’ choice to place Lambert on waivers comes amid broader team struggles, including their ninth loss of the season under head coach Scott Arniel, who stated he was “not worried” about his job. The move may signal a shift in roster strategy as Winnipeg seeks more immediate impact from its forward group. Potential suitors include teams with scoring needs such as the Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Philadelphia Flyers, and Seattle Kraken—especially given that
The move underscores the ongoing tension in the NHL between developing young talent and maintaining competitiveness in a salary-cap environment. Lambert’s placement on waivers reflects a common but high-stakes decision: when to pull a prospect back for more seasoning versus keeping them in the NHL for exposure. His case may resonate with fans of teams that have similarly drafted high but struggled to develop their picks, such as the 2018 Boston Bruins’ selection of Jake DeBrusk or the 2016 Toronto Maple Leafs’ early struggles with Auston Matthews’ development. While Lambert’s offensive tools remain evident, his inability to translate them into NHL production highlights how elite potential does not always equate to immediate success. The Kraken’s possible interest—driven by familial ties—could spark debate about nepotism in hockey, though no evidence suggests favoritism. What may follow is increased scrutiny on player development systems across the league, particularly for first-round p