NHL

TSJ 31 in 31: Winnipeg Jets Ready to Fly in 2018-19

by
Former Writers
October 3, 2018

NHL

The Winnipeg Jets Are Set For Take Off

Last season, the Winnipeg Jets surprised everyone by beating Nashville in the second round and advancing to the Western Conference Final. However the Jets lost in five games to Vegas. Coming off of the loss to Vegas, changes were not really necessary.

The Winnipeg Jets have never made it out of the first round and with this Conference Final exit, the team looks like they can make another big step when it comes to the playoffs. With minimal changes to Winnipeg, they and Nashville may be the powerhouses of the Central Division.

Have the Jets Gotten Better?

I don’t think so, but they have not gotten too much worse. The players lost to free agency were just depth players that were easily replaced with organizational prospects. The one thing that did improve was the backup goaltending. Let’s get into the moves.

Additions

Laurent Brossoit was signed by the Jets to a one year deal worth $650,000. Brossoit played 14 games last season for Edmonton and had a record of 3-7-1 with a Goals Against Average of 3.24 and Save Percentage of .883. While Brossoit’s numbers say suggest that he is not very good, he played in Edmonton on a team that had no body in front of him. In Winnipeg he has one of the strongest D-cores in the West to help him hold the fort down.

Subtractions

The Winnipeg Jets let three players go plus one player they traded for. Winnipeg bought out Steve Mason’s Contract on June 30, 2018. Last season, Mason played 13 games and had just 5 wins with a Goals Against Average of 3.24 and a Save Percentage at .906.

Joel Armia and Matt Hendricks were lost to free agency. Armia skated in 79 games and had 12 goals and 29 points. Matt Hendricks suited up for 60 games and had eight assists in 13 points.

Paul Stastny played only 19 games with the Winnipeg Jets after being traded for at the Trade Deadline. While with the team Stastny ammased 4 goals and 9 assists. The Jets went all out to resign Stastny this offseason but Paul decided to sign in Vegas.

Where the Winnipeg Jets Stand

With a Net Gain of -55, things look ugly for Winnipeg, but this is not the case. As I stated above, the Jets only lost depth players that will be easily replaced. There is not too much that was done this offseason and it may not hurt. Management saw a successful roster and decided to stick with it for the most part.

While the Central Division is ultra competitive, the Winnipeg Jets are a team that can compete for the top spot. The Jets may even have the top spot if Pekka Rinne and the Nashville Predators do not play as well as they can. Watch for Winnipeg to finish second in the Central Division this year.

Ownership knew it would take a little while for the time to come into shape and become a perennial playoff contender, but I don’t think they knew they could be Cup Contenders this quick. This a great time to be a fan of the Winnipeg Jets as it is likely that they will make the playoffs for the upcoming seasons.

It looks like the Jets are ready to fly to new heights this season.