4 Big Questions for the Winnipeg Jets in 2020-2021
By Nick Herrera
3. Can Paul Stastny still be an effective second-line center?
The term is “top-six” forward group, not “top-five”. To solidify the forward group the Jets traded for center Paul Stastny from the Vegas Golden Knights during the offseason. Stastny rejoins Winnipeg after a couple of seasons with Vegas. The transaction was, by far, the team’s most impactful offseason move.
Chemistry, one would think, will not be a huge roadblock. Stastny is templated to be linemates with Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrik Laine for as long as he is around. The three have already played together in the past and, while Stastny is at risk of having lost a step, Ehlers and Laine have been nothing short of outstanding.
The 35-year-old center has not scored more than 20 goals or more than 55 points since leaving the Colorado Avalanche after the 2013-2014 season. Stastny’s 14 years of NHL experience brings more than firepower to an already loaded forward core. Winnipeg is hoping for a fountain of youth to take him back at least a few years in age and drive play for a truly dynamic group of offensive forwards.