Winnipeg Jets - Preview

The Jet's return to Winnipeg has not yielded a play-off appearance as yet, but for a team that finished bottom of the tough Central Division, only four players have departed, with Mathieu Perrault arriving from Anaheim via free-agency to replace Olli Jokinen at center. All six of their division rivals improving their rosters, the Jets have stood by and done very little. TJ Galiardi also arrived, from Calgary, to boost theit bottom-six forwards. GM Kevin Cheveldayoff believes the team doesnt need a major over-haul just an improvement on their fitness and physical conditioning. Paul Maurice replaced Claude Noel as coach on Jan. 12 and led the Jets to nine victories in the following eleven games, to position the team into playoff contention. Only a succession of injuries in March eliminated their playoff hopes.

The best news for the Jets is keeping Franchise Player Evander Kane, who was much-sought after over the summer. Kane will likely line-up on the second line with Mark Scheifele centering and Blake Wheeler down the right. Wheeler lead the team in scoring last season with 28 goals and 69 points. Jets captain Andrew Ladd will line-up down the left, alongside Bryan Little and Michael Frolik on the top line. Frolik has signed a new one-year deal but Winnipeg could run the risk of losing him to free-agency next summer. Perreault's arrival should see him centering the third line with converted defenseman Dustin Byfuglien.

With Byfuglien moving to forward, the Jets will struggle in the puck-possession department. Jacob Trouba, who had a decent rookie season last time out is looking like he could be a future leader on the team. Grant Clitsome and Paul Postma, both had injury problems last season, but if they can both find fitness, will deliver some much-needed depth. Adam Pardy didn't get a great deal of ice time, but had is most productive season since his time in Calgary in 2010. Joshua Morrissey is looking good as a prospect.

Over the last three seasons Ondrej Pavelec has a .904 save percentage, the worst in the league. Although the Jet's defense is not great, not all the blame can be placed there. In short Pavelec just hasnt been good enough. If the Jets want to make the post season for the first time since they were known as the Atlanta Thrashers, they need a huge improvement between the pipes. Michael Hutchinson did well in the AHL Calder Cup playoffs and is liekly to play back-up this years. Eric Comrie and Connor Hellebuyck are both talented but at this stage too young and in-experienced.

Ladd – Little – Frolik

Kane – Scheifele – Wheeler

Klingberg – Perreault – Byfuglien

Tangradi – Slater – Halischuk

Galiardi – Thorburn

Enstrom – Bogosian

Stuart – Trouba

Pardy – Postma

Clitsome