TSN's Bob McKenzie sat down with Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and discussed what expectations there are for the Jets.
If the Jets can stay healthy, stay out of the box and fix the penalty-kill issues, they obviously have the offense through at least their top two lines. Patrik Laine will most likely avoid the sophomore slump and notch at least 30 goals. Mark Scheifele will probably surpass the 40-goal plateau and Nikolaj Ehlers will probably break out and notch at least 25. Throw in Dustin Byfuglien, Blake Wheeler and the perennially underrated Bryan Little and you have yourself a high-octane offense. Adam Lowry, Tyler Myers and Jacob Trouba will also undoubtedly contribute. Myers, especially, has to be itching to show his wares after missing most of last season with an injury and personal family issues.
In goal, Steve Mason is the new number one to mentor Connor Hellebuyck (who will be fine throughout the next couple of years, folks, don't worry) and is expected to ease Helle's transition to the eventual number one. Mason wasn't the best goaltender available when the free-market opened last July 1st, but he is a former Calder trophy winner as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets and was north of competent whilst playing for the Philadelphia Flyers the last five seasons, and was/is the best fit for the Jets.
Remember, the Winnipeg Jets organization doesn't only look for talent in their players and management, they are very high on working with people of high-end character. Thus the trading of players like Evander Kane, Zach Bogosian and Spencer Machacek. All three players were reportedly "poison" in the locker room. By all accounts, Mason is void of any character flaws, as well as new signees, Dimitry Kulikov and Matt Hendrix (who is said to be not only the new Jets enforcer, replacing the very popular Chris Thorburn; but a great "locker-room guy" in his own right)
The Sporting News blog has their prediction...
Myself? I'm predicting either third in the Central for the Jets, or at least the second wild card in the Western Conference.
