Nic Petan appeared in only 15 games with the Winnipeg Jets this season, spending the rest of the season with the AHL's Manitoba Moose.

Petan, who has appeared in a total of 95 games over the past three seasons with the Jets, is set to become a restricted free agent this off-season. His agent, Joe Oliver, believes his future isn't bright in Winnipeg.

"I think they’re one of the more exciting teams to watch in the NHL, and there’s a little bit of envy because I would like Nic to be part of that," Oliver told the Winnipeg Free Press. "But at this point he seems to be on the outside looking in.

"He’s champing at the bit to say, ‘Hey, listen. I want to be part of it.’ But that may not be possible just because of the number of players in front of him."

Petan, who was selected 43rd overall in 2013, sits behind Nikolaj Ehlers, Kyle Connor, Mathieu Perrault, Andrew Copp, and Brandon Tanev on the team's depth chart at left wing. Brendan Lemieux, who appeared in nine games last season, AHL standout Mason Appleton and 2017 first-round pick Kristian Vesalainen are also expected to compete with Petan for a roster spot next season. Shawn Matthias, who appeared in 27 games at left wing this season, is an unrestricted free agent this summer.

The 23-year-old posted 15 goals and 52 points in 52 AHL contests last season, but his success hasn't transferred to the NHL, where he has five goals and 21 points in 95 career contests. Still, Oliver believes Petan’s ceiling remains high and he just needs an opportunity to prove it.

"I think he’s a top-six player in the NHL," Oliver said.

"In my travels, you certainly talk to people in this hockey business. From a scouting perspective, and guys just out at rinks watching games, I would say the general consensus is that it’s been very complimentary of him as a player – him as a skill guy and a thinker and being able to make things happen on the ice."

Oliver made it clear his client has not requested a trade from the Jets and stopped shy of saying that's the best move for his career moving ahead.

"I wouldn’t say that. I wouldn’t say he’s best served playing somewhere else," Oliver said. "If [the Jets] are looking to make changes or moves and open up a spot... I still think it is a great place for him to play. But if they’re pretty secure on the group that’s there, and moving forward, then that log-jam becomes maybe insurmountable, where you maybe can’t get into that lineup to show people what he can do.

"I think it’s really important to say — and I’ve said this to Chevy [Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff] on multiple occasions — Nic loves it there. He loves the city, he loves the team. The environment is great. I think he would want to be part of the Jets for the long term, 100 per cent. The only underlying thing there would be, is there an opportunity for him to play there? And right now, I can tell you I’m not sure that there is."

The Jets are expected to make a qualifying offer to Petan to secure his rights by June 25.