What to expect from the 2021 Jets?

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/12/2020 (1803 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Let’s talk some hockey today, folks.

And no, that doesn’t mean another “will the NHL and NHLPA find a way to settle their differences and chart a course forward while we are in the midst of a worsening pandemic” opus. Been there, done that, just waiting on the T-shirt. (All proceeds to Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr, to be split 50-50 — because that’s what a real partnership looks like).

I’m referring to an actual nuts-and-bolts discussion, specifically as it relates to the Winnipeg Jets. Remember those guys? It’s been nearly nine months since head coach Paul Maurice’s crew played a regular-season game, and four months since we last saw them limping off the ice (quite literally, in fact) after a quick qualifying-round exit to the Calgary Flames inside the Edmonton bubble. 

With the passage of time and so much else going on in our world, you may have forgotten about some of the storylines swirling around the club. But with a new campaign hopefully just around the corner — there was progress made on that front Friday, with a potential Jan. 15 start now in sight — it seems like a good time for a bit of a refresher.

So in honour of their upcoming 10th season since relocating from Atlanta, here are 10 burning questions about the current state of the Jets. These go beyond the obvious return-to-play protocol issues that will have to get sorted out and focus entirely on the on-ice product.

The best part? There’s no mention of escrow, deferred salary or force majeure to be found. 

 

1. HOW’S MARK SCHEIFELE’S LEG?

The sight of him writhing on the ice in agony inside empty Rogers Place on Aug. 1, just a few minutes into Game 1 against the Flames following a questionable hit from Matthew Tkachuk, was tough to watch.

Scheifele, 27, admitted his initial fear was a career-ending leg or knee injury. But he said he dodged a bullet and will be back “better than ever” in time for a new season. (He never revealed exactly what the injury was). He resumed skating about a month ago, declaring himself fully recovered.

But seeing is believing, and the Jets need their No. 1 centre to be in top form if they are to have a fighting chance. 

2. WHAT’S IN PATRIK LAINE’S FUTURE?

His agent has already played the public “trade me” card, suggesting Laine and the Jets would both benefit from a change of scenery. Nothing has happened yet, despite plenty of buzz.

Does Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff make a bold move prior to the start of the season, which I’m on record as saying is fraught with danger? Or does Laine come to camp, where he will no doubt face questions every day about his status going forward?

Considering the Jets will likely be playing all their games in Canada, with no shortage of media coverage, it could quickly become a three-ring circus. 

3. DO WE KNOW JACK?

As in Roslovic, another apparent unhappy camper who would like a one-way ticket out of town. The restricted free agent hasn’t signed a new contract. His agent, Claude Lemieux, told me this week there’s nothing new to report on that front. 

There are plenty of rumblings that the Jets have been looking to move him for defensive help, which could still happen. But if it doesn’t, how and where does Roslovic fit in, especially knowing he’d like a bigger offensive role, which may not be available?

4. WHO BLOSSOMS ON THE BLUE LINE?

Josh Morrissey and Dylan DeMelo will likely be the top pair of defencemen, while Neal Pionk will anchor the second unit. But beyond that?

Does the chance to play with Pionk go to free agent signing Derek Forbort? Rookie Dylan Samberg? How about 19-year-old Ville Heinola? Where does Sami Niku fit in, especially with Nathan Beaulieu, Tucker Poolman and Luca Sbisa also competing for depth spots?

This will be THE competition to watch when camp begins. 

5. CAN CONNOR HELLEBUYCK DO IT AGAIN?

Ideally, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner won’t have to single-handedly steal as many games as he did last season. The onus is on everyone in front of him to make his job a little less chaotic.  

But anything resembling a repeat performance will be most welcome. With a schedule that is expected to be condensed (plenty of back-to-back games, for example), managing his workload (and getting some strong starts from backup Laurent Brossoit) will be critical. 

6. WHO’S THE SECOND-LINE CENTRE? (I kid, I kid)

Okay, force of habit to type that question, since it’s been a major issue for three straight years around here.

We know the answer, at least for the coming season, is Paul Stastny.

Now 34 and coming off a bit of a down season with the Vegas Golden Knights, can he recapture the magic he had two seasons ago with the Jets, when he played primarily with Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers?

As a pending unrestricted free agent hoping for another substantial contract, Stastny should be highly motivated.

7. CAN COLE PERFETTI CHALLENGE FOR A JOB?

Why not? The 18-year-old scoring star in the Ontario Hockey League, picked 10th-overall by the Jets in the October draft, should have a bit of a jump on everyone else, assuming the world junior hockey championship goes ahead in Edmonton over Christmas and he cracks the roster, as expected. 

It’s especially intriguing considering the OHL won’t begin play until early February, at the earliest, and body-checking may be outlawed owing to COVID-19 concerns. Might the Jets decide keeping the centre around, even if in a sheltered role to start, is best for his development?

8. HOW MUCH GAS IS LEFT IN THE CAPTAIN’S TANK?

Nobody will outwork Blake Wheeler. But Father Time is undefeated, and there were large stretches last season when the 34-year-old just didn’t look right.

Perhaps a longer-than-usual off-season combined with a shorter-than-usual new season will benefit him. But with four years left at US$8.25 million, the Jets better hope he’s still got lots of miles to go before he sleeps. 

9. WHO ELSE WILL PUSH FOR WORK?

Great teams always have plenty of internal competition, which keeps everyone on their toes. The Jets will need some of their depth players and prospects to step up.

Whether it’s young defencemen such as Niku, Heinola, Samberg or Logan Stanley, or youthful forwards such as Perfetti, Jansen Harkins, Mason Appleton, Marko Dano, David Gustafsson, Kristian Vesalainen, C.J. Suess, Joona Luoto or Kristian Reichel, who’s going to see an opening and kick down the door?

If the answer is nobody, and the Jets are forced to use journeymen such as Sbisa, Nate Thompson and Dominic Toninato early and often, they are likely in trouble. 

10. HOW HOT IS KEVIN CHEVELDAYOFF’S SEAT? 

If no other moves are made and the Jets struggle out of the gate, Cheveldayoff will rightfully take heat for failing to address glaring holes in his lineup. That should make job security an issue.

Some will suggest Maurice should also be under the gun, but I suspect he’s got a bit more rope to work with than the GM, having just signed an extension last year.

But in a results-oriented business, pressure should be mounting on everyone following two straight seasons in which this franchise — spending to near the salary cap ceiling and supposedly in win-now mode — has taken a step back.

The good news? After much waiting, fans may soon start to get some answers to the above questions.  

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg