Winnipeg Jets Season Preview

The Jets are loaded with future all-stars all over their roster and it is time for those players to show up and propel the Jets to the playoffs. The top-six forwards are among the best in the league while the defence is good too but the goaltending is among the worst in the league. If their star young players improve and Steve Mason holds up in net, the Jets will compete for a playoff spot; but if not another long year could be in store for the Jets.

Arrivals/Departures

Arrivals: Steve Mason, Dmitri Kulikov, Michael Sgarbossa, Buddy Robinson,
Departures: Ondrej Pavelec, Mark Stuart, Paul Postma, Chris Thorburn, Brian Strait, Quinton Howden



Forwards:

Blake Wheeler has become one of the best right-wingers in hockey over the past couple of seasons as he has put up 74 and 78 point over the past two seasons. Mark Scheifele emerged as a superstar last season smashing his career highs finishing the season with 82 points in 79 games and he is only 24 years old. Nikolaj Ehlers also had a great season during his sophomore campaign finishing with an impressive 64 points. Patrik Laine has only one season under his belt and he is already one of the best pure snipers in the NHL. Laine finished with 36 goals in 73 games; if Laine stays healthy he could push for an outstanding 50 goals at the age of 19. Bryan Little has been a great second-line center for a while as he produces offensively and provides good defence. Mathieu Perreault finishes off a very good top six with his two-way game; if Perreault could work on his consistency he could become a very big offensive threat. After a very strong group of top six forwards, the group lacks depth and will need even more young guns to step up. Nic Petan was amazing during the World Juniors for Canada in 2016 and after playing in 54 games last season, it is time for him to make the full-time leap and take over the third-line center spot. Kyle Connor is also ready to make the jump to the NHL after playing in 20 games last season, Connor is a sniper who could push for 20 goals during his rookie season. Marko Dano can't seem to find himself a spot on a roster for any team he has played for making this the year he has to make the jump to a full-time NHL role; Dano has lots of skill he just can't seem to put it all together. Shawn Matthias had a rough first year with the Jets only suiting up for 45 games but he should improve in his second season. Adam Lowry can be an excellent fourth-line center as he plays a very physical game, scoring goals and playing defensively-minded. The last forward on the opening day lineup will probably be Joel Armia after playing in a combined 100 games over the past two seasons with the Jets. Andrew Copp could also push anyone in the bottom six out of the lineup to earn a spot on the roster.



Defencemen:

Dustin Byfuglien is a very good defenceman as he uses his massive body frame to get under opponents' skin and get to the net. Byfuglien provides lots of offensive to go with a game that is among the most physical of any player in the NHL, Byfuglien is the ultimate example of a player you would love to have but hate to play against. Veteran Toby Enstrom will play alongside of Byfuglien but he is well past his prime as he only put up 14 points last year compared to his career high of 51 points. Jacob Trouba is going to be a future star in this league but it probably won't be with the Jets as he seems to not get along with the Jets organization. The Jets biggest skater add was Dmitri Kulikov who will join Trouba on the second pair to form a good two-way duo, Kulikov had a terrible season with the Sabres but he should return to form with the Jets. Tyler Myers is much better than a bottom-pair defenceman but the Jets three best defenders are all on the left side so he will be on the bottom pair. Future star Josh Morrisey had a good rookie season alongside of Byfuglien last year but he will have a smaller role this season with Myers healthy and the addition of Kulikov. Ben Chiarot will be the reliable depth defenceman on a deep defensive core.



Goaltending:

The Jets goaltending situation was the worst in the NHL last year as all three goalies they tried failed to win games. To try and aid the situation they brought in Steve Mason who is expected to start even though he is more of a goalie that splits games with another. They are still counting on Connor Hellebuyck to be the future starter so he will get time as the backup.

Projected Lineup:

Nikolaj Ehlers	Mark Scheifele	Blake Wheeler
Mathieu Perreault	Bryan Little	Patrik Laine
Kyle Connor	Nic Petan	Marko Dano
Shawn Matthias	Adam Lowry	Joel Armia
Andrew Copp	Michael Sgarbossa	Brandon Tanev

Dustin Byfuglien	Toby Enstrom
Jacob Trouba	Dmitri Kulikov
Tyler Myers	Josh Morrisey
Julian Melchiori	Ben Chiarot

Steve Mason

Connor Hellebuyck

Michael Hutchinson

Top 10 Players:

10. Toby Enstrom

9. Mathieu Perreault

8. Tyler Myers

7. Jacob Trouba

6. Bryan Little

5. Nikolaj Ehlers

4. Dustin Byfuglien

3. Patrik Laine



2. Mark Scheifele

1. Blake Wheeler

Projected Finish: 89 Points (6th in Central)
Last Year: 87 Points (5th in Central)

Photo credit for Steve Mason goes to https://www.si.com/. Blake Wheeler goes to http://www.winnipegsun.com/. Dustin Byfuglien goes to http://www.sportsnet.ca/. Patrik Laine goes to http://www.nhl.com/.