Patrik Stefan played six seasons for the Atlanta Thrashers scoring 177 points. After being traded to the Dallas Stars in 2006, he became infamously known for missing an empty net on a breakaway during a game against the Edmonton Oilers.

Dany Heatley made his NHL debut with the Thrashers in 2001-02, leading all rookies in points (67) and assists (41) and was second in goal-scoring (26) behind teammate Ilya Kovalchuk. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year, for which Kovalchuk was also nominated.

In 2003-04, Ilya Kovalchuk finished in a three-way tie for the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as the NHL's leading goal-scorer, sharing it with Jarome Iginla (Calgary Flames) and Rick Nash (Columbus Blue Jackets).

In 2019, the Jets had three All-Star Game selections: coach Paul Maurice, centre Mark Scheifele, and right winger Blake Wheeler. Hellebuyck would make the All-Star Game the following season.

On January 12, 2014, the Jets hired Paul Maurice to replace Claude Noël after the Jets struggled to a 19-23-5 start to the 2013-14 season. In his first full season as head coach, Maurice led Winnipeg to a playoff appearance, their first since relocating from Atlanta.

Ville Heinola was drafted 20th overall by the Jets. Impressively, he made the Jets roster out of training camp and became the first player of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft to register an NHL point during the Jets first game of the season against the New York Rangers on 3 October 2019.