10 NHL Teams To Watch This Season
2. Winnipeg Jets
The Jets chose to stick with the course this summer by extending the contracts of both General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and coach Paul Maurice. While reaction to this news was mixed, the potential that the Winnipeg Jets possess is unanimously agreed as sky high, with top young talents only likely to improve.
Top of the list is last season’s rookie sensation Patrik Laine, who sniped for 36 goals in a rookie season that would have earned undisputed honours as top rookie if not for one Auston Matthews. Already possessing one of the finest shots in the league, Laine is projected to pot even more stunning goals this year. He’s joined by Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg’s top centre having just enjoyed a career-best season in points, still only 24 years old.
Their biggest acquisition, that of goaltender Steve Mason, aims to improve arguably the Jets’ biggest weakness in recent years. If Mason can recreate his legendary form from his rookie season, if the chemistry between Scheifele and Laine continues, and if the play of wingers Blake Wheeler and Nikolaj Ehlers remains high, the Jets could be primed for a big improvement.