When Arctic Ice Hockey announced the arrival of a new voice, the hockey community took notice. Mullayo, a devoted follower of GM Kevin Cheveldayoff’s blue‑line strategy, brings a fresh analytical lens to the Winnipeg Jets’ defensive outlook.
The conversation quickly shifts to the team’s defensive depth chart, where three off‑season signings — Jack St. Ivany, Henry Thrun and Garrett Brown — are slated to reshape the lineup.
New faces on the blue line
St. Ivany, a 26‑year‑old right defenseman, arrives with the upside of a third‑pairing right‑handed partner, while Thrun, 25, brings 123 NHL appearances that suggest he can handle more responsibility.
Brown, the 22‑year‑old prospect, posted a 14.7 NHL Entry‑Level Evaluation score last season, indicating a promising trajectory for a bottom‑pairing role.
Veteran presence remains anchored by Dylan DeMelo, now 33, whose performance has dipped in the 2025‑26 campaign, and Neal Pionk, 30, who is returning from injury after five years remaining on his contract.
Meanwhile, Josh Morrisey continues to provide depth, and Haydn Fleury’s speed adds a dynamic element, though his 30‑year‑old frame raises durability questions.
Prospect Isaak Phillips, 24, posted a career‑best 29 points in 67 AHL games for the Moose, positioning him as a potential call‑up, while Elias Salmonsson’s early‑season injury has delayed his debut.
Cheveldayoff recently offered an update on Salmonsson and Nikita Chibrikov, both recovering from season‑ending surgeries, hinting at a timeline that could see them back before the schedule is unveiled.
The NHL will release its 84‑game regular‑season slate on July 16, a date that will clarify matchups and give fans a clearer picture of how the revamped blueline will be tested.