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Three Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets Opening Roster |
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Three Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets Opening Roster
After a tough loss for the Winnipeg Jets in the playoffs, getting swept by Montreal in the second round, the Jets look to bounce back from that in a strong way. Making off-season moves that I am quite fond of, I think that this Jets team has a chance to be right there at the top of the Central Division with Colorado.
Here are three thoughts I have headed into the 2021-22 regular season.
Defensive Abilities
The Winnipeg Jets added Nate Schmidt and Brenden Dillon to their Top-6 on the back end, replacing Tucker Poolman, Derek Forbort, and Nathan Beaulieu, and even Sami Niku who unfortunately didn’t work out. I really like the moves they made here, as they got Nate Schmidt for only a 3rd round pick from Vancouver, and Brenden Dillon for two 2nd round picks. That was a steep price, but Dillon has some pretty solid analytics and will make this back end just that much harder to play against.
Already, the team had some strong pieces in Pionk and DeMelo, a great Offensive defenseman, and a fantastic shut-down defenseman. Although they aren’t penciled in to play together, as they are both right-handed, even separately they make this team harder to play against.
Josh Morrissey has had a rough past two seasons, and has quite the large contract attached to him, but still does provide some offense, and is typically played against some of the toughest matchups. Analytics don’t like him very much, but again, his matchups are always against the top of the other teams lineup. As for Logan Stanley, I am a huge fan of his, no pun intended. Stanley has had lots of experience in the OHL and AHL, and played 37 games for the Jets last season. Being in a very sheltered role, I am not sure how much different he could have looked with more ice time, but he used his physicality for his best interest, but not as much as some may have expected. His reach and presence on the ice makes for an intimidating player to face up against.
And this is all without mentioning Ville Heinola, who will be a very good player when he is given the chance
Crossing the Barrier
Over the past few seasons, the Winnipeg Jets have had strong regular seasons, putting them as strong playoff teams. Since making the Western Conference Finals in 2018, the Jets have lost in the 1st round in 2019, to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions, the St. Louis Blues. After that, in 2020, dropping in the Qualifying Round to the Calgary Flames in 4 games. Then a 2nd round loss to the Montreal Canadiens...which hurt a lot.
All of this being said, the Jets are really pushing to reach that 2018 form, and have some true playoff success. With the depth, star-power, and plain old motivation, this team is bound to have a big year.
Three-Headed Monster
One thing that I don’t see talked about nearly enough, is the top line of the Winnipeg Jets. The #1 line on the Jets, Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler, is arguably a top five, or even top three line behind the Bruins and Avalanche top lines. With a great mix of scoring, playmaking and physicality being produced from that line, it is very balanced and extremely hard to play against. On top of that? The whole line is locked up for the next 3 years, with Connor having 5 years left.
Production has not been an issue with this line, and having Stasney or Dubois being able to just in on the Center spot while Scheifele was suspended for his hit on Jake Evans, the depth on this team really stands out as well. I am extremely excited to watch this line light it up this season, and especially for Scheifele, who I have on my fantasy team.
This is going to be a “prove it” year, that this team can get it done. While I don’t see much one the line in terms of management jobs, and Kevin Cheveldayoff and Paul Maurice have earned their positions for a while, and the top-of-the-lineup guys are big factors on this team, we have seen that the Jets aren’t scared to make a change, with Patrik Laine and Jack Roslavic traded to Columbus for Pierre-Luc Dubois. I don’t imagine any kind of big splash happens this year, especially with the team so tight against the cap, but you never know. This team always surprises.
By Jacob Billington
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