Winnipeg Jets: 3 Keys To Success in 2017-18
By Ian Reid
The Winnipeg Jets seem to have a lot going for them this year. They have young players coming off good seasons and have healthy veteran players.
The question for the Winnipeg Jets now is can they take that next step. Can they make the playoffs in a very competitive Central Division? Is anything less than the playoffs acceptable at this point?
On paper, this is a team that looks like it should be able to compete with the rest of the division. While some teams did get better, the Jets have a recipe that should see them make a strong push this year. These are three keys to their success.
Special Teams
Considering the firepower the Jets have on offense it did not translate well when it came to special teams. The Jets finished 18th last year in power play percentage at a mediocre 18.2%. Missing Jacob Trouba for 20 games certainly put a dent in their power play early on. This should improve this year with Patrik Laine, Nikolaj Ehlers, Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, Dustin Byfuglien and Trouba all options, there is no reason for the power play to underperform.
The penalty kill was also lackluster as well finishing 26th in the league with a 77.5 percent efficiency. Goaltending stability should help this number. If the Jets are going to make the jump in an incredibly tight Central Division, they must improve on special teams. Of course, staying out of the penalty box will probably help solve part of the PK issues.
Goaltending
To say that the Jets were undone by their goaltending this past season is an understatement. Connor Hellebuyck was given a chance to take the reigns and was unable to do so. Things got so bad that eventually, Ondrej Pavelec was unburied from the Manitoba Moose to try and stabilize things.
Hellebuyck is not the first goalie to fail on his first big chance to shine. Jake Allen and John Gibson have also had similar issues before being able to secure their jobs. Hellebuyck will likely be no different. The addition of Steve Mason should be a welcome one. While Hellebuyck is still likely the heir apparent a good veteran presence to push and mentor him is not a bad thing.
Avoiding Distractions
The one thing that the Jets will need to focus on is off-ice distractions. Jacob Trouba enters a contract year. After the drama that surrounded his last contract all eyes will be on their young star defenseman. The Jets would do well to either put off negotiations to the offseason or deal with an extension quickly and quietly.
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Winnipeg will also have to be mindful of their goaltending situation. If there ends up being a rift between Hellebuyck and Mason, it needs to be dealt with quickly. Also looking for a new contract and likely significant pay raise will be Ehlers. Ehlers is a dynamic player who will be important to the future of the team. With Patrik Laine also on the horizon, it will be interesting to see how the Jets, who have never been a cap team, will move going forward.