The Winnipeg Jets went shopping this offseason to aid their attempt to move up in the Central Division and find a way into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They made an uncharacteristic foray into the free agent market July 1 to try to support their draft-and-develop philosophy, signing goalie Steve Mason to a two-year, $8.2 million contract (average annual value $4.1 million) and defenseman Dmitry Kulikov to a three-year, $13 million contract (average annual value $4.33 million). It was the most money the Jets spent at the start of free agency since the franchise relocated to Winnipeg from Atlanta in 2011. The Jets also went the extra mile to protect key players from the NHL Expansion Draft by making a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Jets traded the 13th pick in the 2017 NHL Draft and a third-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft to Vegas for the 24th pick in the 2017 draft, and a presumed assurance from the Golden Knights not to choose veteran defenseman Toby Enstrom.
Enstrom, 32, agreed to waive his no-movement clause so he could be exposed in the expansion draft.
"People can say we paid a price, [but] we've always been and will always be a draft-and-develop team," general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said. "We feel we've got some really good pieces here that can click and work together, so we didn't want to lose one of those pieces."
Without Enstrom's decision and the trade, the Jets may have been forced to protect eight skaters and one goalie from the expansion draft (instead of seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie), so they could protect defensemen Dustin Byfuglien, Jacob Trouba, Tyler Myers and Enstrom. That would have exposed forwards Adam Lowry and Mathieu Perreault.
After the trade, Vegas selected forward Chris Thorburn in the expansion draft. Thorburn signed with the St. Louis Blues after becoming a free agent.
"It should give the coaches great options on a nightly basis," Cheveldayoff said.
Winnipeg's poor defense last season was the impetus to add Kulikov's experience."He is still relatively young, one of those guys who started in the League as [a teenager]," Cheveldayoff said. "He was injured [last season], and we're looking for that player that helped [the] Florida [Panthers] in the [2016] playoffs and was one of their best defensemen in their last playoff run."
Winnipeg's defense will improve significantly if Myers is recovered from surgery to repair a lower-body injury that limited him to 11 games last season.
In addition to improved health, the Jets lost 355 man-games to injuries last season, the ability of the young roster to step up will be a must.
"The NHL is a very, very unforgiving place to have to teach," Cheveldayoff said, "but when you have young talent like we do or did, and they're emerging into veteran players, those are the experiences that you're going to benefit from moving forward."
Enstrom, 32, agreed to waive his no-movement clause so he could be exposed in the expansion draft.
"People can say we paid a price, [but] we've always been and will always be a draft-and-develop team," general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said. "We feel we've got some really good pieces here that can click and work together, so we didn't want to lose one of those pieces."
Without Enstrom's decision and the trade, the Jets may have been forced to protect eight skaters and one goalie from the expansion draft (instead of seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie), so they could protect defensemen Dustin Byfuglien, Jacob Trouba, Tyler Myers and Enstrom. That would have exposed forwards Adam Lowry and Mathieu Perreault.
After the trade, Vegas selected forward Chris Thorburn in the expansion draft. Thorburn signed with the St. Louis Blues after becoming a free agent.
Winnipeg's poor defense last season was the impetus to add Kulikov's experience."He is still relatively young, one of those guys who started in the League as [a teenager]," Cheveldayoff said. "He was injured [last season], and we're looking for that player that helped [the] Florida [Panthers] in the [2016] playoffs and was one of their best defensemen in their last playoff run."
Winnipeg's defense will improve significantly if Myers is recovered from surgery to repair a lower-body injury that limited him to 11 games last season.
In addition to improved health, the Jets lost 355 man-games to injuries last season, the ability of the young roster to step up will be a must.
"The NHL is a very, very unforgiving place to have to teach," Cheveldayoff said, "but when you have young talent like we do or did, and they're emerging into veteran players, those are the experiences that you're going to benefit from moving forward."
The Winnipeg Jets have made one appearance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since relocating from Atlanta in 2011. Their fans in a passionate Canadian market want more. The Jets' struggles since making the playoffs in 2015 have placed increased scrutiny on goaltending, defense and discipline, all issues that have received attention in the offseason.
1. Can the Jets figure out a better defensive game?
Winnipeg allowed 255 goals last season, fourth-most in the NHL. That was up from 236 goals-against in 2015-16 (22nd in the League) and a franchise-best 204 in 2014-15 (10th).
The Jets must improve defensively to get back to the playoffs, particularly on the penalty kill. They were 26th in the NHL on the penalty kill last season (77.5 percent). They allowed 62 power-play goals, third-most in the League, and were shorthanded 275 times, third-highest.
Coach Paul Maurice, entering his fourth full season with the Jets, must find a way to get a better defensive commitment, even if it costs them a little offense.
The combination of goalies Connor Hellebuyck, Michael Hutchinson and Ondrej Pavelec had streaks of inconsistency that were too long last season, and the sum of their work produced the third-lowest save percentage in the NHL (.900).
That number is not all on the goaltenders given the Jets' defensive issues, but Mason brings nine seasons of NHL experience, including his Calder Trophy season of 2008-09 with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He'll have the important role of mentoring Hellebuyck, 24, who is still seen as the starter of the future despite having a 2.71 goals-against average and .910 save percentage in 82 NHL games (79 starts).
3. Can Patrik Laine improve on an impressive rookie season?
The 19-year-old right wing scored 36 goals with a quick release and a hard, accurate shot. His 64 points in 73 games put him second in the rookie scoring race to Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, the Calder Trophy winner (69 points in 82 games), though Laine averaged more points per game (0.88 to Matthews' 0.84). A little more physical maturity and having been through the League for one season would suggest Laine may be better equipped for more impact. Boosted by Laine's nine power-play goals, the Jets scored 48 on the man-advantage last season compared to 38 in 2015-16, and rose from last in the League (14.8 percent) to 18th (18.2 percent).
Winnipeg allowed 255 goals last season, fourth-most in the NHL. That was up from 236 goals-against in 2015-16 (22nd in the League) and a franchise-best 204 in 2014-15 (10th).
The Jets must improve defensively to get back to the playoffs, particularly on the penalty kill. They were 26th in the NHL on the penalty kill last season (77.5 percent). They allowed 62 power-play goals, third-most in the League, and were shorthanded 275 times, third-highest.
Coach Paul Maurice, entering his fourth full season with the Jets, must find a way to get a better defensive commitment, even if it costs them a little offense.
That number is not all on the goaltenders given the Jets' defensive issues, but Mason brings nine seasons of NHL experience, including his Calder Trophy season of 2008-09 with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He'll have the important role of mentoring Hellebuyck, 24, who is still seen as the starter of the future despite having a 2.71 goals-against average and .910 save percentage in 82 NHL games (79 starts).
3. Can Patrik Laine improve on an impressive rookie season?
The 19-year-old right wing scored 36 goals with a quick release and a hard, accurate shot. His 64 points in 73 games put him second in the rookie scoring race to Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, the Calder Trophy winner (69 points in 82 games), though Laine averaged more points per game (0.88 to Matthews' 0.84). A little more physical maturity and having been through the League for one season would suggest Laine may be better equipped for more impact. Boosted by Laine's nine power-play goals, the Jets scored 48 on the man-advantage last season compared to 38 in 2015-16, and rose from last in the League (14.8 percent) to 18th (18.2 percent).
1. Trending downThe Winnipeg Jets improved from 212 goals in 2015-16 (tied with the Colorado Avalanche for 20th in the NHL) to 246 goals last season (seventh).
But the Jets are trending down in shot-based metrics. They had 2,429 shots on goal in 2015-16 (16th), a total that increased to 2,448 last season (21st). In terms of 5-on-5 shot attempts, Winnipeg fell from 18th in 2015-16 (3,543) to 27th last season (3,397).
The Jets' declining shot rankings are part of a steady downward trend in their shot-based metrics under coach Paul Maurice. In 2014-15, Maurice's first full season, Winnipeg ranked ninth with a 5-on-5 shot attempts differential (plus-344). They fell to 13th in 2015-16 (plus-191) and 21st last season (minus-101).
2. Double trouble
Scoring rates and relative shot attempt percentages often are used to evaluate forwards. From this perspective, the Jets have two of the best forwards in the NHL, Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler.
Over the past two seasons, Scheifele averaged 2.56 points per 60 minutes at 5-on-5, third in the League among those who played at least 1,000 minutes, behind Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers (2.86) and Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins (2.60), according to Xtra Hockey Stats.
Wheeler ranked 18th (2.19) but has the edge on Scheifele in terms of shot-based metrics. The Jets had 2,415 shot attempts compared to 1,975 for their opponents with Wheeler on the ice the past two seasons, for an SAT% of 55.01. Relative to their 48.1 SAT% without Wheeler on the ice, that's a difference of plus-6.9 percent, which ranked sixth in the League among those who played at least 50 games. Scheifele was plus-3.1.
3. New No. 1 goalieThe Jets hope a change of scenery will help goalie Steve Mason regain his form.
With the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2009-13, Mason had an even-strength save percentage of .911 each season, ranking near the bottom of the League.
Mason was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers on April 3, 2013, and in his first three full seasons in Philadelphia, his even-strength save percentage jumped to .931, tied for second among the 57 goalies to play at least 50 NHL games in that span. Last season, it dropped to .919, which was below the League average of .923. To be competitive, Winnipeg needs Mason to play more like the goalie he was 2013-16.
The Winnipeg Jets have established a solid prospect pipeline since relocating from Atlanta in 2011, essential to their draft-and-develop model. They were the youngest team in the NHL at the end of last season (average age 26.1), according to HockeyReference.com, and the organization still has multiple blue-chip prospects on the cusp of making the League.
1. Kyle Connor, LW
How acquired: Selected with No. 17 pick in 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: Winnipeg: 20 GP, 2-3-5; Manitoba (AHL): 52 GP, 25-19-44
Connor's scoring ability was apparent at the University of Michigan in 2015-16, when he had 71 points (35 goals, 36 assists) in 38 games in his one NCAA season.
The left wing (6-foot-1, 182 pounds) began last season with the Jets but only found a foothold in the pro game after being sent to Manitoba of the American Hockey League on Dec. 9.
In the AHL, the 20-year-old scored 25 goals in 52 games, trending back toward the dynamic, playmaking forward with great offensive instincts.
If a stronger Connor does stick in the League this season, he'd be the sixth player chosen by the Jets with their first pick in the NHL Draft on their roster (Mark Scheifele, 2011; Jacob Trouba, 2012; Josh Morrissey, 2013; Nikolaj Ehlers, 2014; Connor, 2015; Patrik Laine, 2016).
Projected NHL arrival: This season
2. Jack Roslovic, C
How acquired: Selected with No. 25 pick in 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: Winnipeg: 1 GP, 0-0-0; Manitoba (AHL): 65 GP, 13-35-48
After one season at Miami of Ohio, where he showed promise but was not dominant (10-16-26 in 36 games), Roslovic, 20, surprised some by choosing to turn pro.
Hindsight shows that move last season was wise for Roslovic's development. The center (6-1, 187) showed improvement in the AHL, with 48 points (13 goals, 35 assists) in 65 games. His creativity and hockey IQ are above average, and he was rewarded with a recall for his first NHL game in his hometown of Columbus on April 6.
Projected NHL arrival: Next season
3. Eric Comrie, G
How acquired: Selected with No. 59 pick in 2013 NHL Draft
Last season: Winnipeg: 1 GP, 1-0-0, 4.05 goals-against average, .897 save percentage; Manitoba (AHL): 51 GP, 19-26-2, 2.96 GAA, .906 save percentage
Comrie, 22, played in 97 AHL games over two seasons. His development may not be as apparent compared to other prospects, but he may be the most technically sound goalie in the Jets system. The organization's patience with him is an essential part of the foundation he's building.
Comrie (6-1, 175) won his NHL debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 6. He may push for NHL time this season, but the Jets' signing of veteran Steve Mason to a two-year, $8.2 million contract (average annual value $4.1 million) may hint at the long-term timetable that has been established.
Projected NHL arrival: 2019-20
How acquired: Trade from Buffalo Sabres on Feb. 11, 2015
Last season: Manitoba (AHL): 61 GP, 12-7-19
An antagonistic, physical style has been Lemieux's calling card through his developing years in junior and last season as a rookie in Manitoba.
Lemieux (6-1, 210) plays with an edge and an abrasiveness that he has worked to control. The 21-year-old son of former NHL forward Claude Lemieux made strides in that area last season, and given his good hands and tough-to-play-against style, chances are the Jets will be able to find a spot for him soon in their bottom six.
Projected NHL arrival: Next season
5. Tucker Poolman, D
How acquired: Selected with No. 127 pick in 2013 NHL Draft
Last season: University of North Dakota (NCAA): 38 GP, 7-23-30
Agile and mobile with a good shot that always seems to get through, Poolman (6-2, 199) excelled in college at both ends of the ice.
A late bloomer, the 24-year-old was North Dakota's most valuable player last season and signed his first pro contract March 30.
Poolman has spent the offseason rehabilitating after bilateral shoulder surgery. It wouldn't be surprising if he spent some time in the AHL this season, but a defenseman with his abilities, and someone who also can run a power play, figures to push for NHL time soon.
Projected NHL arrival: This season
How acquired: Selected with No. 17 pick in 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: Winnipeg: 20 GP, 2-3-5; Manitoba (AHL): 52 GP, 25-19-44
Connor's scoring ability was apparent at the University of Michigan in 2015-16, when he had 71 points (35 goals, 36 assists) in 38 games in his one NCAA season.
The left wing (6-foot-1, 182 pounds) began last season with the Jets but only found a foothold in the pro game after being sent to Manitoba of the American Hockey League on Dec. 9.
In the AHL, the 20-year-old scored 25 goals in 52 games, trending back toward the dynamic, playmaking forward with great offensive instincts.
If a stronger Connor does stick in the League this season, he'd be the sixth player chosen by the Jets with their first pick in the NHL Draft on their roster (Mark Scheifele, 2011; Jacob Trouba, 2012; Josh Morrissey, 2013; Nikolaj Ehlers, 2014; Connor, 2015; Patrik Laine, 2016).
Projected NHL arrival: This season
2. Jack Roslovic, C
How acquired: Selected with No. 25 pick in 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: Winnipeg: 1 GP, 0-0-0; Manitoba (AHL): 65 GP, 13-35-48
After one season at Miami of Ohio, where he showed promise but was not dominant (10-16-26 in 36 games), Roslovic, 20, surprised some by choosing to turn pro.
Hindsight shows that move last season was wise for Roslovic's development. The center (6-1, 187) showed improvement in the AHL, with 48 points (13 goals, 35 assists) in 65 games. His creativity and hockey IQ are above average, and he was rewarded with a recall for his first NHL game in his hometown of Columbus on April 6.
Projected NHL arrival: Next season
3. Eric Comrie, G
How acquired: Selected with No. 59 pick in 2013 NHL Draft
Last season: Winnipeg: 1 GP, 1-0-0, 4.05 goals-against average, .897 save percentage; Manitoba (AHL): 51 GP, 19-26-2, 2.96 GAA, .906 save percentage
Comrie, 22, played in 97 AHL games over two seasons. His development may not be as apparent compared to other prospects, but he may be the most technically sound goalie in the Jets system. The organization's patience with him is an essential part of the foundation he's building.
Comrie (6-1, 175) won his NHL debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 6. He may push for NHL time this season, but the Jets' signing of veteran Steve Mason to a two-year, $8.2 million contract (average annual value $4.1 million) may hint at the long-term timetable that has been established.
Projected NHL arrival: 2019-20
Last season: Manitoba (AHL): 61 GP, 12-7-19
An antagonistic, physical style has been Lemieux's calling card through his developing years in junior and last season as a rookie in Manitoba.
Lemieux (6-1, 210) plays with an edge and an abrasiveness that he has worked to control. The 21-year-old son of former NHL forward Claude Lemieux made strides in that area last season, and given his good hands and tough-to-play-against style, chances are the Jets will be able to find a spot for him soon in their bottom six.
Projected NHL arrival: Next season
5. Tucker Poolman, D
How acquired: Selected with No. 127 pick in 2013 NHL Draft
Last season: University of North Dakota (NCAA): 38 GP, 7-23-30
Agile and mobile with a good shot that always seems to get through, Poolman (6-2, 199) excelled in college at both ends of the ice.
A late bloomer, the 24-year-old was North Dakota's most valuable player last season and signed his first pro contract March 30.
Poolman has spent the offseason rehabilitating after bilateral shoulder surgery. It wouldn't be surprising if he spent some time in the AHL this season, but a defenseman with his abilities, and someone who also can run a power play, figures to push for NHL time soon.
Projected NHL arrival: This season
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