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NHL Line Projections for 2016-17 (Central Division)

By Ryan Ritchie

Nov 28, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn (14) (front) and defenseman John Klingberg (3) (center) congratulate forward Tyler Seguin (91) on his game winning goal against the Minnesota Wild during overtime at Xcel Energy Center. The Starts win 4-3 over the Wild in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn (14) (front) and defenseman John Klingberg (3) (center) congratulate forward Tyler Seguin (91) on his game winning goal against the Minnesota Wild during overtime at Xcel Energy Center. The Starts win 4-3 over the Wild in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 21, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets defenseman Tyler Myers (57) and right wing Drew Stafford (12) and right wing Blake Wheeler (26) celebrate a goal by center Mark Scheifele (55) in the second period at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets defenseman Tyler Myers (57) and right wing Drew Stafford (12) and right wing Blake Wheeler (26) celebrate a goal by center Mark Scheifele (55) in the second period at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports /

Winnipeg Jets

Nikolaj Ehlers – Mark Scheifele – Blake Wheeler
Patrik Laine – Bryan Little – Joel Armia
Kyle Connor – Mathieu Perreault – Drew Stafford
Alexander Burmistrov – Adam Lowry – Chris Thorburn
xs: Marko Dano, Anthony Peluso

Josh Morrissey – Dustin Byfuglien
Toby Enstrom – Tyler Myers
Ben Chiarot – Paul Postma
xs: Mark Stuart

Ondrej Pavelec – Michael Hutchinson

*Shawn Matthias in considered week-to-week with an upper body injury
** Jacob Trouba still unsigned

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That first line is pretty much set in stone. Most believe that Drew Stafford is likely to play alongside Patrik Laine and Bryan Little; I, however, believe that Joel Armia is a better fit and also allows the Jets to spread out their scoring and give another rookie more of a veteran presence on the third line. Kyle Connor seems likely to begin the year in Winnipeg, so why not pair him with Mathieu Perreault and Drew Stafford?

Without Jacob Trouba, things get a bit interesting. We proclaimed Josh Morrissey the answer when the trade request was first reported, even going as far to say that the rumored asking price may be incorrect. Looks like Morrissey should get an opportunity to prove he can replace Jacob Trouba. Long-term, he might be better suited on the second pairing, but for his rookie season, Byfuglien is the perfect defensive partner.

As you can tell, there’s no Connor Hellebuyck. We wouldn’t put it past GM Kevin Cheveldayoff to waive Pavelec and send him to AHL Manitoba. Difficult to imagine a budget team burying a contract like that though. The Jets may be hoping for an early injury to a starter in hopes of a quick deal to make room for Hellebuyck.

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