WINNIPEG — The spotlight was on Jonathan Toews when the Winnipeg Jets stepped on the ice for their season opener against the Dallas Stars on Thursday.

It ended shining brightly on Kyle Connor, Winnipeg’s newly minted highest-paid player.

Connor delivered a hat trick in Winnipeg’s comeback attempt, but the Stars skated off with a 5-4 victory that featured a goal and two assists from Mikko Rantanen.

“Yeah, for sure,” Connor said when asked if his performance was satisfying after he signed an eight-year, $US96-million contract extension on Wednesday.

“The bottom line is, we want to get some wins in this league. And it’s a lot more fun when you win this now, but just trying to contribute as much as I can and show a little more leadership this year.”

The Winnipeg-born Toews received a loud

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