Apr 22, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; The Winnipeg Jets celebrate their season after losing the series to the Anaheim Ducks by thanking the fans after the third period in game four of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Anaheim wins the game 5-2 and sweeps the series 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Number 18: Winnipeg Jets
There was no harder team for me to rank for the 2015-16 NHL season than the Winnipeg Jets. A playoff team last year with talent in their prime up and down the roster. So why do I have the Jets on the outside looking in for the 2015-16 NHL season?
Because despite having a great balance of veterans and youth, the Jets had a quiet offseason. Meanwhile, the Dallas Stars added a goal scorer, a veteran defenseman, and better backup goaltender. The Los Angeles Kings are still strong and may be even better on defense this season. The Jets haven’t done much of anything yet.
Winnipeg Jets
That’s going to change soon regarding Dustin Byfuglien. The big defenseman is due for a new contract and certainly will expect a raise, which will either cause GM Kevin Cheveldayoff to move other players to keep him or move Byfuglien. Was Cheveldayoff planning for his departure last season in getting Tyler Myers?
Beyond Byfuglien, the 2015-16 NHL season is important for young talents Jacob Trouba, Alexander Burmistrov, and Mark Scheifele. All three need big seasons if the Jets hold off Dallas and Los Angeles for the playoffs. Drew Stafford finding his 30-goal touch again is big in replacing Michael Frolik. Stafford seemed to find his jump and touch again after being traded. If he can do that for a full season, the Jets will be in better shape.
I do expect a regression from Ondrej Pavelec in the 2015-16 NHL season which will hold the Jets back. Pavelec had a four-year regression in his overall and 5-on-5 save percentages until taking a big step forward last season. Looking at his career arc, I think last season was an exception. Michael Hutchinson is a solid backup but doesn’t have enough games in his career to know what he is yet. He will get them this year if Pavelec struggles.
The Winnipeg Jets will make the playoffs if: Ondrej Pavelec has an above-average season compared to his career. I expect the top two lines to be electric and the top defensemen to perform well. The Jets need one more defenseman for the 2015-16 NHL season, particularly if Byfuglien is traded. A depth center to win faceoffs couldn’t hurt with these awful numbers.
A successful 2015-16 NHL season looks like: Make the playoffs and win a round. When you have a young team like the Jets, experience matters. The Anaheim series looked lopsided on paper, but the could have easily been 2-2 after four games instead of a sweep. What lessons were learned from that experience?
Player to watch: Burmistrov. First-round selection and only 23 years old but not in the NHL the last two seasons. The 2015-16 NHL season is the time for Burmistrov to deliver on his potential.
Next: Number 17: Jackets Can't Be THAT Injured Again - Can They?
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