Jets Qualify Cole Perfetti, Tyrel Bauer; Part Ways with Jaret Anderson-Dolan

In a significant move for the franchise, the Winnipeg Jets announced on Monday that they have extended qualifying offers to forward Cole Perfetti and defenseman Tyrel Bauer, while opting not to qualify forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan, who will now become an unrestricted free agent.

The focus of the Jets’ decisions centers around Perfetti, whose upcoming contract negotiations are set to be one of the summer’s most scrutinized storylines in Winnipeg. The 24-year-old winger had a challenging season, tallying 12 goals and 19 assists for a total of 32 points across 68 games. This performance marked a noticeable decline from his previous year when he played all 82 regular-season games, scoring 18 goals and 32 assists for 50 points.

By extending the qualifying offer, the Jets maintain control over Perfetti as a restricted free agent, signaling their continued belief in the offensive potential that led to his selection as a top ten pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. With his current cap hit at $3.25 million, any new contract is expected to reflect the rising NHL salary cap, likely pushing that figure slightly higher.

Perfetti has already made his mark in Jets history, most notably for his dramatic game-tying goal with just 2.2 seconds left in regulation during Game 7 against the St. Louis Blues in the 2025 playoffs. This goal stands as the latest game-tying or winning goal in regulation in NHL playoff history, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.

Tyrel Bauer also received a qualifying offer, allowing the Jets to retain rights to the physical defenseman. Hailing from Cochrane, Alberta, Bauer contributed a goal and four assists for five points while accumulating 110 penalty minutes in 52 games with the Manitoba Moose in the AHL last season. While he may not be counted on for offensive production, his physicality and toughness are assets that organizations highly value in their depth players, prompting the Jets to bring him back for another season.

In contrast, the decision to not qualify Anderson-Dolan leaves him free to explore opportunities as a free agent. Selected 41st overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2017 NHL Draft, the Calgary native has yet to reach the potential anticipated from his draft position. Last season, he played with the Manitoba Moose in the AHL, recording 36 points in 72 games, and now seeks to carve out a new role as he embarks on the next chapter of his career.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.