# 1979–80 Winnipeg Jets season

The 1979–80 Winnipeg Jets season was the organization's eighth season since its inception in 1972, and its first season in the National Hockey League.

## Offseason

After spending seven seasons in the World Hockey Association, in which the team won three Avco Cup championships, the Winnipeg Jets joined the National Hockey League, as did the Edmonton Oilers, Hartford Whalers and Quebec Nordiques, as the WHA disbanded.
On June 13, 1979, the Jets participated in the 1979 NHL Expansion Draft to fill out their roster, while on June 28, 1979, Winnipeg made their first ever trade, as the Jets sent Jamie Hislop to the Quebec Nordiques in exchange for Barry Legge.
On August 8, 1979, the Jets selected Jimmy Mann of the Sherbrooke Castors of the QMJHL with their first ever draft pick at the 1979 NHL Entry Draft. In the fifth round, the Jets selected Thomas Steen from Leksands IF of the SEL.
During the off-season, the club announced that Tom McVie would be retained as head coach. McVie became the Jets head coach late in the 1978–79 season, going 11-8-0 in nineteen games, followed by a record of 8–2 in the playoffs to lead Winnipeg to the Avco Cup. McVie had head coaching experience in the NHL, as he coached the Washington Capitals to a 49-122-33 record from 1975 to 1978.
Lars-Erik Sjoberg was named captain of the team, as former captain Barry Long joined the Detroit Red Wings for the 1979–80 season. Sjoberg captained Winnipeg from 1975 to 1978 in the WHA.

## Regular season

The Jets failed to qualify for the playoffs, as their record of 20-49-11 earned them 51 points, good for fifth in the Smythe Division, 18 points behind the fourth place Edmonton Oilers for the final playoff position.

### Final standings

Smythe Division :
| | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts |
| Chicago Black Hawks | 80 | 34 | 27 | 19 | 241 | 250 | 87 |
| St. Louis Blues | 80 | 34 | 34 | 12 | 266 | 278 | 80 |
| Vancouver Canucks | 80 | 27 | 37 | 16 | 256 | 281 | 70 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 80 | 28 | 39 | 13 | 301 | 322 | 69 |
| Winnipeg Jets | 80 | 20 | 49 | 11 | 214 | 314 | 51 |
| Colorado Rockies | 80 | 19 | 48 | 13 | 234 | 308 | 51 |
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.
League standings :
| R | | Div | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts |
| 1 | p – Philadelphia Flyers | PTK | 80 | 48 | 12 | 20 | 327 | 254 | 116 |
| 2 | y – Buffalo Sabres | ADM | 80 | 47 | 17 | 16 | 318 | 201 | 110 |
| 3 | x – Montreal Canadiens | NRS | 80 | 47 | 20 | 13 | 328 | 240 | 107 |
| 4 | Boston Bruins | ADM | 80 | 46 | 21 | 13 | 310 | 234 | 105 |
| 5 | New York Islanders | PTK | 80 | 39 | 28 | 13 | 281 | 247 | 91 |
| 6 | Minnesota North Stars | ADM | 80 | 36 | 28 | 16 | 311 | 253 | 88 |
| 7 | x – Chicago Black Hawks | SMY | 80 | 34 | 27 | 19 | 241 | 250 | 87 |
| 8 | New York Rangers | PTK | 80 | 38 | 32 | 10 | 308 | 284 | 86 |
| 9 | Atlanta Flames | PTK | 80 | 35 | 32 | 13 | 282 | 269 | 83 |
| 10 | St. Louis Blues | SMY | 80 | 34 | 34 | 12 | 266 | 278 | 80 |
| 11 | Toronto Maple Leafs | ADM | 80 | 35 | 40 | 5 | 304 | 327 | 75 |
| 12 | Los Angeles Kings | NRS | 80 | 30 | 36 | 14 | 290 | 313 | 74 |
| 13 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NRS | 80 | 30 | 37 | 13 | 251 | 303 | 73 |
| 14 | Hartford Whalers | NRS | 80 | 27 | 34 | 19 | 303 | 312 | 73 |
| 15 | Vancouver Canucks | SMY | 80 | 27 | 37 | 16 | 256 | 281 | 70 |
| 16 | Edmonton Oilers | SMY | 80 | 28 | 39 | 13 | 301 | 322 | 69 |
| 17 | Washington Capitals | PTK | 80 | 27 | 40 | 13 | 261 | 293 | 67 |
| 18 | Detroit Red Wings | NRS | 80 | 26 | 43 | 11 | 268 | 306 | 63 |
| 19 | Quebec Nordiques | ADM | 80 | 25 | 44 | 11 | 248 | 313 | 61 |
| 20 | Winnipeg Jets | SMY | 80 | 20 | 49 | 11 | 214 | 314 | 51 |
| 21 | Colorado Rockies | SMY | 80 | 19 | 48 | 13 | 234 | 308 | 51 |
Divisions: ADM – Adams, NRS – Norris, PTK – Patrick, SMY – Smythe
bold – The top 16 teams in the league qualified for the playoffs, regardless of division or conference. x – Won division; y – Won Conference (and division); p – Won Presidents' Trophy (and conference and division)

### Record vs. opponents

Smythe Division record vs. opponents :
Vs. Campbell Conference
Vs. Smythe Division
1979–80 NHL records
Team
CHI
COL
EDM
STL
VAN
WIN
Total
Chicago
—3−0−11−31−2−11−1−22−28−8−4
Colorado
0−3−1—2−20−2−21−2−11−2−14−11−5
Edmonton
3−12−2—0−3−11−2−11−2−17−10−3
St. Louis
2−1−12−0−23−0−1—3−11−1−211−3−6
Vancouver
1−1−22−1−12−1−11−3—2−1−18−7−5
Winnipeg
2−22−1−11−2−12−21−2−1—8−9−3
Vs. Patrick Division
1979–80 NHL records
Team
ATL
NYI
NYR
PHI
WSH
Total
Chicago
2−0−21−2−12−1−10−2−22−27−7−6
Colorado
0−41−31−1−21−2−11−1−24−11−5
Edmonton
1−2−12−1−11−30−3−13−17−10−3
St. Louis
1−31−30−40−2−22−24−14−2
Vancouver
2−22−1−10−41−31−36−13−1
Winnipeg
0−40−2−22−20−40−3−12−15−3
Vs. Wales Conference
Vs. Adams Division
1979–80 NHL records
Team
BOS
BUF
MIN
QUE
TOR
Total
Chicago
2−21−1−22−1−12−1−14−011−5−4
Colorado
1−2−11−31−31−30−3−14−14−2
Edmonton
0−41−2−11−1−22−22−1−16−10−4
St. Louis
1−1−22−21−32−22−28−10−2
Vancouver
0−1−30−1−32−1−12−21−35−8−7
Winnipeg
1−30−3−11−2−12−20−44−14−2
Vs. Norris Division
1979–80 NHL records
Team
DET
HFD
LAK
MTL
PIT
Total
Chicago
3−11−1−20−3−12−22−0−28−7−5
Colorado
3−11−2−10−41−32−27−12−1
Edmonton
1−2−11−2−12−1−11−33−18−9−3
St. Louis
2−1−12−23−12−22−1−111−7−2
Vancouver
2−21−1−22−22−21−2−18−9−3
Winnipeg
1−32−22−1−11−30−46−13−1 :

## Schedule and results

| No. | R | Date | Score | Opponent | Record | Attendance |
| 1 | L | October 10, 1979 | 2–4 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1979–80) | 0–1–0 | 8,752 |
| 2 | L | October 11, 1979 | 0–4 | @ Boston Bruins (1979–80) | 0–2–0 | 10,613 |
| 3 | W | October 14, 1979 | 4–2 | Colorado Rockies (1979–80) | 1–2–0 | 12,648 |
| 4 | L | October 17, 1979 | 1–5 | Detroit Red Wings (1979–80) | 1–3–0 | 12,145 |
| 5 | W | October 19, 1979 | 3–2 | Minnesota North Stars (1979–80) | 2–3–0 | 11,035 |
| 6 | L | October 20, 1979 | 1–4 | @ Colorado Rockies (1979–80) | 2–4–0 | 7,758 |
| 7 | L | October 24, 1979 | 0–4 | @ Chicago Black Hawks (1979–80) | 2–5–0 | 9,726 |
| 8 | W | October 26, 1979 | 3–2 | Boston Bruins (1979–80) | 3–5–0 | 13,699 |
| 9 | T | October 28, 1979 | 2–2 | St. Louis Blues (1979–80) | 3–5–1 | 11,763 |
| 10 | W | October 31, 1979 | 5–2 | @ Quebec Nordiques (1979–80) | 4–5–1 | 10,430 |
| 11 | T | November 2, 1979 | 1–1 | Washington Capitals (1979–80) | 4–5–2 | 11,512 |
| 12 | T | November 4, 1979 | 4–4 | New York Islanders (1979–80) | 4–5–3 | 12,478 |
| 13 | L | November 6, 1979 | 0–8 | @ Atlanta Flames (1979–80) | 4–6–3 | 7,296 |
| 14 | L | November 7, 1979 | 3–6 | @ Washington Capitals (1979–80) | 4–7–3 | 6,308 |
| 15 | L | November 10, 1979 | 4–8 | Toronto Maple Leafs (1979–80) | 4–8–3 | 14,347 |
| 16 | W | November 14, 1979 | 3–2 | Hartford Whalers (1979–80) | 5–8–3 | 12,736 |
| 17 | L | November 16, 1979 | 2–3 | Quebec Nordiques (1979–80) | 5–9–3 | 12,401 |
| 18 | L | November 18, 1979 | 2–3 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1979–80) | 5–10–3 | 12,668 |
| 19 | W | November 21, 1979 | 6–4 | @ New York Rangers (1979–80) | 6–10–3 | 17,406 |
| 20 | L | November 22, 1979 | 0–7 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1979–80) | 6–11–3 | 16,921 |
| 21 | W | November 24, 1979 | 5–3 | Vancouver Canucks (1979–80) | 7–11–3 | 13,110 |
| 22 | L | November 27, 1979 | 3–5 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1979–80) | 7–12–3 | 7,914 |
| 23 | L | November 28, 1979 | 2–4 | @ Vancouver Canucks (1979–80) | 7–13–3 | 12,584 |
| 24 | T | December 1, 1979 | 4–4 | @ Minnesota North Stars (1979–80) | 7–13–4 | 12,763 |
| 25 | L | December 2, 1979 | 0–4 | New York Islanders (1979–80) | 7–14–4 | 14,041 |
| 26 | W | December 4, 1979 | 4–2 | @ St. Louis Blues (1979–80) | 8–14–4 | 8,383 |
| 27 | L | December 5, 1979 | 4–6 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1979–80) | 8–15–4 | 12,278 |
| 28 | W | December 7, 1979 | 8–3 | Edmonton Oilers (1979–80) | 9–15–4 | 11,772 |
| 29 | L | December 9, 1979 | 4–5 | Atlanta Flames (1979–80) | 9–16–4 | 12,579 |
| 30 | L | December 12, 1979 | 0–5 | @ Quebec Nordiques (1979–80) | 9–17–4 | 10,326 |
| 31 | W | December 15, 1979 | 6–2 | Montreal Canadiens (1979–80) | 10–17–4 | 15,723 |
| 32 | W | December 16, 1979 | 4–3 | @ Edmonton Oilers (1979–80) | 11–17–4 | 15,423 |
| 33 | L | December 19, 1979 | 2–3 | Buffalo Sabres (1979–80) | 11–18–4 | 12,696 |
| 34 | W | December 21, 1979 | 4–1 | Chicago Black Hawks (1979–80) | 12–18–4 | 13,406 |
| 35 | L | December 26, 1979 | 0–6 | @ Minnesota North Stars (1979–80) | 12–19–4 | 15,623 |
| 36 | L | December 28, 1979 | 3–5 | Philadelphia Flyers (1979–80) | 12–20–4 | 16,038 |
| 37 | L | December 29, 1979 | 1–6 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1979–80) | 12–21–4 | 16,485 |
| 38 | L | December 31, 1979 | 2–6 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1979–80) | 12–22–4 | 16,433 |
| 39 | L | January 4, 1980 | 1–2 | Boston Bruins (1979–80) | 12–23–4 | 15,040 |
| 40 | T | January 6, 1980 | 4–4 | Los Angeles Kings (1979–80) | 12–23–5 | 12,250 |
| 41 | L | January 8, 1980 | 0–2 | @ Atlanta Flames (1979–80) | 12–24–5 | 6,138 |
| 42 | L | January 10, 1980 | 4–5 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1979–80) | 12–25–5 | 17,077 |
| 43 | L | January 12, 1980 | 0–3 | New York Rangers (1979–80) | 12–26–5 | 13,848 |
| 44 | W | January 13, 1980 | 5–3 | Los Angeles Kings (1979–80) | 13–26–5 | 13,598 |
| 45 | L | January 15, 1980 | 2–5 | @ New York Islanders (1979–80) | 13–27–5 | 14,256 |
| 46 | L | January 16, 1980 | 1–4 | @ New York Rangers (1979–80) | 13–28–5 | 17,416 |
| 47 | L | January 18, 1980 | 0–5 | Detroit Red Wings (1979–80) | 13–29–5 | 12,708 |
| 48 | L | January 21, 1980 | 2–7 | @ Hartford Whalers (1979–80) | 13–30–5 | 7,627 |
| 49 | L | January 22, 1980 | 4–5 | @ Washington Capitals (1979–80) | 13–31–5 | 7,028 |
| 50 | L | January 25, 1980 | 4–5 | Philadelphia Flyers (1979–80) | 13–32–5 | 15,122 |
| 51 | T | January 27, 1980 | 6–6 | St. Louis Blues (1979–80) | 13–32–6 | 12,938 |
| 52 | W | January 29, 1980 | 7–3 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1979–80) | 14–32–6 | 7,165 |
| 53 | L | February 1, 1980 | 2–9 | @ Edmonton Oilers (1979–80) | 14–33–6 | 15,423 |
| 54 | T | February 2, 1980 | 2–2 | @ Colorado Rockies (1979–80) | 14–33–7 | 13,308 |
| 55 | L | February 8, 1980 | 3–6 | Washington Capitals (1979–80) | 14–34–7 | 11,917 |
| 56 | T | February 10, 1980 | 2–2 | Edmonton Oilers (1979–80) | 14–34–8 | 11,588 |
| 57 | T | February 12, 1980 | 0–0 | @ New York Islanders (1979–80) | 14–34–9 | 13,898 |
| 58 | L | February 14, 1980 | 1–5 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1979–80) | 14–35–9 | 17,077 |
| 59 | L | February 15, 1980 | 4–5 | @ Hartford Whalers (1979–80) | 14–36–9 | 10,136 |
| 60 | W | February 17, 1980 | 6–5 | Quebec Nordiques (1979–80) | 15–36–9 | 12,328 |
| 61 | L | February 20, 1980 | 3–4 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1979–80) | 15–37–9 | 16,433 |
| 62 | L | February 21, 1980 | 0–3 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1979–80) | 15–38–9 | 15,799 |
| 63 | L | February 23, 1980 | 3–9 | Toronto Maple Leafs (1979–80) | 15–39–9 | 15,171 |
| 64 | L | February 27, 1980 | 2–3 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1979–80) | 15–40–9 | 8,977 |
| 65 | T | February 29, 1980 | 3–3 | Vancouver Canucks (1979–80) | 15–40–10 | 13,667 |
| 66 | L | March 2, 1980 | 2–3 | Chicago Black Hawks (1979–80) | 15–41–10 | 13,669 |
| 67 | L | March 4, 1980 | 1–2 | @ Vancouver Canucks (1979–80) | 15–42–10 | 15,085 |
| 68 | L | March 9, 1980 | 2–5 | Atlanta Flames (1979–80) | 15–43–10 | 12,412 |
| 69 | T | March 12, 1980 | 3–3 | Buffalo Sabres (1979–80) | 15–43–11 | 14,299 |
| 70 | L | March 14, 1980 | 3–4 | Montreal Canadiens (1979–80) | 15–44–11 | N/A |
| 71 | W | March 16, 1980 | 6–2 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1979–80) | 16–44–11 | 12,014 |
| 72 | L | March 19, 1980 | 1–9 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1979–80) | 16–45–11 | 16,485 |
| 73 | W | March 21, 1980 | 4–2 | New York Rangers (1979–80) | 17–45–11 | 15,170 |
| 74 | L | March 23, 1980 | 2–4 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1979–80) | 17–46–11 | 12,377 |
| 75 | W | March 26, 1980 | 7–0 | Hartford Whalers (1979–80) | 18–46–11 | 13,151 |
| 76 | L | March 28, 1980 | 1–2 | Minnesota North Stars (1979–80) | 18–47–11 | 13,100 |
| 77 | L | March 30, 1980 | 1–3 | @ Boston Bruins (1979–80) | 18–48–11 | 11,686 |
| 78 | W | April 2, 1980 | 5–2 | @ Chicago Black Hawks (1979–80) | 19–48–11 | 9,374 |
| 79 | L | April 5, 1980 | 0–6 | @ St. Louis Blues (1979–80) | 19–49–11 | 13,261 |
| 80 | W | April 6, 1980 | 3–2 | Colorado Rockies (1979–80) | 20–49–11 | 14,236 |

## Player statistics
### Regular season
#### Scoring

| Player | Pos | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- | PPG | SHG | GWG |
| Morris Lukowich | LW | 78 | 35 | 39 | 74 | 77 | -16 | 13 | 1 | 2 |
| Peter Sullivan | C | 79 | 24 | 35 | 59 | 20 | -45 | 5 | 0 | 3 |
| Ron Wilson | C | 79 | 21 | 36 | 57 | 28 | -12 | 6 | 0 | 3 |
| Willy Lindstrom | RW | 79 | 23 | 26 | 49 | 20 | -19 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| Craig Norwich | D | 70 | 10 | 35 | 45 | 36 | -11 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Peter Marsh | RW | 57 | 18 | 20 | 38 | 59 | -38 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Lars-Erik Sjoberg | D | 79 | 7 | 27 | 34 | 48 | -35 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Jude Drouin | C | 78 | 8 | 16 | 24 | 50 | -38 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Scott Campbell | D | 63 | 3 | 17 | 20 | 136 | -39 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Lyle Moffat | LW | 74 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 38 | -24 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Dave Christian | RW | 15 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 2 | -5 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| John Markell | LW | 38 | 10 | 7 | 17 | 21 | -12 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Lorne Stamler | LW | 62 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 12 | -29 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Al Cameron | D | 63 | 3 | 11 | 14 | 72 | -26 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ross Cory | D | 46 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 32 | -16 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Kris Manery | C/RW | 16 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 6 | -8 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Bobby Hull | LW | 18 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 0 | -7 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Barry Melrose | D | 74 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 124 | -41 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Jimmy Mann | RW | 72 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 287 | -20 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Hilliard Graves | RW | 35 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 15 | -13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bill Riley | RW | 14 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Gord McTavish | C | 10 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dave Hoyda | LW | 15 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 35 | -4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| John Bethel | LW | 17 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pierre Hamel | G | 35 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pat Daley | LW | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | -2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bob Guindon | LW | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bill Lesuk | LW | 49 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 43 | -15 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mike Amodeo | D | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -15 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wayne Dillon | C | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Larry Hopkins | LW | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Don MacIver | D | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Markus Mattsson | G | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lindsay Middlebrook | G | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gerry Rioux | RW | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gary Smith | G | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gord Smith | D | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | -5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Glenn Tomalty | LW | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |

#### Goaltending

| Player | MIN | GP | W | L | T | GA | GAA | SO |
| Pierre Hamel | 1947 | 35 | 9 | 19 | 3 | 130 | 4.01 | 0 |
| Markus Mattsson | 1200 | 21 | 5 | 11 | 4 | 65 | 3.25 | 2 |
| Gary Smith | 1073 | 20 | 4 | 11 | 4 | 73 | 4.08 | 0 |
| Lindsay Middlebrook | 580 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 40 | 4.14 | 0 |
| Team: | 4800 | 80 | 20 | 49 | 11 | 308 | 3.85 | 2 |
    Pos = Position; GPI = Games played in; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes; +/- = Plus/minus; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
    Min, TOI = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T,T/OT = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

## Transactions
### Trades

| June 28, 1979 | To Quebec NordiquesJamie Hislop | To Winnipeg JetsBarry Legge |
| July 25, 1979 | To New York RangersFuture Considerations | To Winnipeg JetsWayne Dillon |
| August 1, 1979 | To Atlanta FlamesPaul Terbenche | To Winnipeg JetsFuture Considerations |
| October 4, 1979 | To Montreal CanadiensCash | To Winnipeg JetsRon Wilson |
| October 15, 1979 | To New York RangersCash Future Considerations | To Winnipeg JetsBud Stefanski |
| February 27, 1980 | To Hartford WhalersBobby Hull | To Winnipeg JetsFuture Considerations |

### Waivers

| February 27, 1980 | From Vancouver CanucksKris Manery |

### Free agents

| Player | Former Team |
| Willy Lindstrom | Winnipeg Jets (WHA) |
| Larry Hopkins | Toronto Maple Leafs |
| John Bethel | Undrafted Free Agent |
| Benoit Gosselin | New York Rangers |
| Gerry Rioux | Undrafted Free Agent |
| Glenn Tomalty | Undrafted Free Agent |
| Ross Cory | Undrafted Free Agent |
| Jude Drouin | New York Islanders |
| Mark Plantery | Undrafted Free Agent |
| Don MacIver | Undrafted Free Agent |
| Anders Steen | Undrafted Free Agent |

## Draft picks
### NHL Amateur Draft

Winnipeg's picks at the 1979 NHL Entry Draft, which was held at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal on August 9, 1979.
| Round | Pick | Player | Nationality | College/Junior/Club team |
| 1 | 19 | Jimmy Mann (RW) | Canada | Sherbrooke Castors (QMJHL) |
| 2 | 40 | Dave Christian (RW) | United States | University of North Dakota (NCAA) |
| 3 | 61 | Bill Whelton (D) | United States | Boston University (NCAA) |
| 4 | 82 | Pat Daley (LW) | Canada | Montreal Juniors (QMJHL) |
| 5 | 103 | Thomas Steen (C) | Sweden | Färjestad BK Karlstad (SEL) |
| 6 | 124 | Tim Watters (D) | Canada | Michigan Tech (NCAA) |

### Expansion Draft
#### Reclaimed Players

Reclaiming of Players: The 17 existing NHL teams were allowed to reclaim any rights to former WHA players they held. The four incoming franchises, however, were allowed to protect up to two goaltenders and two skaters, voiding their NHL rights. These players were considered "priority selections" in the expansion draft. Gordie Howe was one of two special cases (the other being Wayne Gretzky), as a gentlemen's agreement between the Hartford Whalers and the Detroit Red Wings, which held his rights, led to the Wings declining to reclaim Howe.
These are Winnipeg players whose NHL rights were reclaimed when the WHA merged with the NHL. This list is incomplete.
| # | Player | Reclaimed From | Reclaimed By |
| 4. | Bobby Hull (LW) | Winnipeg Jets | Chicago Blackhawks |

#### Jets selections

| # | Player | Drafted From | Drafted By |
| 1. | Peter Marsh (LW) | Pittsburgh Penguins | Winnipeg Jets |
| 2. | Lindsay Middlebrook (G) | New York Rangers | Winnipeg Jets |
| 3. | Bobby Hull (LW) | Chicago Black Hawks | Winnipeg Jets |
| 4. | Al Cameron (D) | Detroit Red Wings | Winnipeg Jets |
| 5. | Dave Hoyda (LW) | Philadelphia Flyers | Winnipeg Jets |
| 6. | Jim Roberts (LW) | Minnesota North Stars | Winnipeg Jets |
| 7. | Lorne Stamler (LW) | Toronto Maple Leafs | Winnipeg Jets |
| 8. | Mark Heaslip (RW) | Los Angeles Kings | Winnipeg Jets |
| 9. | Pierre Hamel (G) | Toronto Maple Leafs | Winnipeg Jets |
| 10. | Gord McTavish (F) | St. Louis Blues | Winnipeg Jets |
| 11. | Gord Smith (D) | Washington Capitals | Winnipeg Jets |
| 12. | Clark Hamilton (C) | Detroit Red Wings | Winnipeg Jets |
| 13. | Jim Cunningham (LW) | Philadelphia Flyers | Winnipeg Jets |
| 14. | Dennis Abgrall (RW) | Los Angeles Kings | Winnipeg Jets |
| 15. | Bill Riley (W) | Washington Capitals | Winnipeg Jets |
| 16. | Gene Carr (C) | Atlanta Flames | Winnipeg Jets |
| 17. | Hilliard Graves (RW) | Vancouver Canucks | Winnipeg Jets |