Coach: Paul Maurice (since 2014). 7.5/10
2016-17 record: 40-35-7, 87 points, 20th overall.
Departures: Paul Postma (D), Ondrej Pavelec (G), Mark Stuart (D), Brian Strait (D), Chris Thorburn (RW).
Arrivals: Steve Mason (G), Dmitry Kulikov (D), Michael Sgarbossa (C).
Top forwards: Mark Schiefele (75-85 points), Blake Wheeler (70-75 points), Patrik Laine (65-75 points), Nikolaj Ehlers (60-65 points), Bryan Little (45-60 points), Mathieu Perreault (45-50 points), Kyle Connor (35-40 points), Adam Lowry (25-35 points), Nicolas Petan (20-30 points).
Must-improve forward: Shawn Matthias used to be regarded as a potential second-liner, but now, on his fifth team, he mans the fourth and plays around 13 minutes per game.
Top defensemen: Dustin Byfluglien (50-55 points), Jacob Trouba (35-45 points), Tyler Myers (30-35 points), Kulikov (20-30 points), Tobias Enstrom (20 points), Josh Morrissey (20 points).
Goalies: Connor Hellebuyck (84/100), Mason (80/100).
Top rookies: Connor (20 years old, LW, 2015 first-round draft pick), Jack Roslovic (20, C, 2015 first-round draft pick), Tucker Poolman (24, D), Logan Stanley (19, D, 2016 first-round draft pick), Eric Comrie (22, G, former Team Canada Juniors star goalie).
Analysis:
Enough with building the team, now's the time to start delivering on the development.
It's not yet fair to lump the Jets with the true contenders - your Pittsburgh Penguins, your Nashville Predators, your Dallas Stars, your Edmonton Oilers - although their offense can definitely hold its own against any team. Their defense needs to find its consistency first, and a lot of that will come when Hellebuyck starts finding his; Winnipeg has everything to win in letting him develop at his own pace à la Jake Allen, because he has "Future Vezina Winner" written all over him.
There's one book that captures the essence of the 1980s Jets, who were a mighty team that had the bad luck of playing in the same division the four-time Stanley Cup champion Oilers and two-time finalists Calgary Flames, aptly titled Coming Up Short. If this generation's team is to stand a chance, its GM may have to pull off his second trade this decade (and win it) to do so.
Prediction: 5th in the Central Division, second Wild Card in the West. Playoff-bound.
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