Viggo Bjorck off to strong start with Jets, despite no points
While the Winnipeg Jets navigate off-ice drama with star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, it’s their on-ice play that’s getting attention.
The Jets are 4-1-2 through their first seven games of 2026-27, led by Kyle Connor’s team-leading eight goals and 11 points, as well as a strong start in the crease by Stuart Skinner, who is 3-0-2 with a .906 save percentage in five appearances. But one player with no offensive production has caught the attention of fans and those who cover the game.
Viggo Bjorck, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, may be pointless in his first seven NHL games, but some who cover the game have praised his 200-foot game and high IQ. The 5-foot-9 center has averaged more than 14 minutes of ice time per game and has been trusted to play in high-leverage situations for the Jets.
On Thursday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton are joined by Winnipeg Sports Talk host Andrew Hustler to discuss how Winnipeg have looked through their first chunk of games in 2026-27 and what the 18-year-old Bjorck brings to the Jets lineup.
Tyler Yaremchuk: It’s been interesting to watch Bjorck, and some fans of other teams are pointing out that he has no points in six games. One of the Jets fans in our show’s live chat said Bjorck is where he should be.
The numbers aren’t coming, but are the Jets happy with what they’ve been getting with Bjorck on the ice?
Andrew Hustler: Yeah, they have been. It would be one thing if he was out there just getting caved in and they’re never getting out of their own end, but that hasn’t been the case. I’ll be honest: it still blows me away just how good he is. In his own end, in the neutral zone, how good he is with his stick. He’s been killing penalties since his first day in the National Hockey League. They’ve been putting him out there with five minutes left in one-goal games.
The offense is going to come. He almost scored on his second- or third-ever shift in the league. There has been chances, but I think the biggest thing is getting a consistent person on that left wing for them to play with and to start really feeling comfortable. But it’s more than the offense; it’s the 200-foot game, and he’s not hurting the team at all.
You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…
