With lower than two months till the beginning of the common season, there may be plenty of uncertainty surrounding the Winnipeg Jets, equivalent to lineup selections and their means to compete. Nonetheless, listed here are three predictions for the Jets’ 2024-25 marketing campaign.
Vladislav Namestnikov Begins the Season at 2C
One of many greatest debates of the Jets’ offseason is who will take over the 2C mantle. Barring one other commerce, the staff has three choices: Cole Perfetti, Brad Lambert, and Vladislav Namestnikov. All three are high quality candidates, however Namestnikov will grasp onto the place, at the very least to begin the yr.
Namestnikov centred the second line most of final season till the Jets acquired Sean Monahan. The Russian-born participant had certainly one of his greatest seasons in years, reaching 37 factors – the second highest complete of his profession. That being mentioned, his faceoff proportion will not be nice, coming in at 36.8% final season and 42.2% in his profession.
With that in thoughts, two issues give him a bonus over Perfetti and Lambert: his reliability and NHL expertise. Namestnikov can play any ahead place with out lacking a beat, and he’s recognized for making his teammates higher, which makes him a top quality alternative. In addition to that, he has 10 years of NHL expertise, which Perfetti and Lambert each lack.
That mentioned, I don’t count on Namestnikov to remain at 2C your entire season. Below head coach Scott Arniel, Perfetti will probably get extra ice time than he did below Rick Bowness, however he would possibly begin on the wing whereas the teaching employees checks the waters on whether or not he could be a strong NHL heart. Lambert ought to make the roster, however I believe the staff will need to begin him at 4C with restricted ice time whereas he adjusts to the NHL earlier than making the soar to 2C. Whereas each Perfetti and Lambert alter to their roles on the staff, Namestnikov can maintain down the fort.
Nikolaj Ehlers Indicators an Extension
I’ll admit, this is likely to be probably the most far-fetched prediction on this listing, however I believe Nikolaj Ehlers shall be a Jet for just a few extra years. Assuming he’s nonetheless with the staff to begin the season, I count on him to see extra on the highest line with Arniel in cost. It appeared that Ehlers was sad with Bowness’ expectations of him, however I can see him being utilized to his strengths this season. Common supervisor Kevin Cheveldayoff made it clear he believes Ehlers is a key piece of the roster, and perhaps with this management change, the ahead shall be extra open to what they’ve to supply.
That he hasn’t been traded but leads me to consider one thing could have modified behind the scenes. Maybe it’s as a result of Cheveldayoff hasn’t discovered the proper match, however I discover that onerous to consider primarily based on the numerous commerce rumours that have been swirling round. Perhaps I’m optimistic, however primarily based on final season’s extensions for Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele, I’m (largely) assured that Ehlers will stick in Winnipeg a bit of longer.
Jets End Third within the Central Division
I’m not a pessimist, however I count on the Jets to complete a bit decrease than they did final season, and never essentially as a result of I believe the staff bought worse. Till the final second, they have been neck and neck with the Colorado Avalanche for that second-place spot. I count on issues to play out equally in 2024-25.
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It’s honest to say the staff bought worse following free company, however not sufficient to make a large affect on the season. The most important losses have been Laurent Brossoit and Brenden Dillon, however these are holes the staff has already addressed. Shedding Sean Monahan and Tyler Toffoli wasn’t supreme, although the staff isn’t that a lot worse off with out them. The Jets have a lot of depth in addition to tons of expertise ready to make the soar from the American Hockey League. In that regard, the staff shall be high-quality, and if gamers like Scheifele, Hellebuyck, Kyle Connor, and Josh Morrissey hold enjoying at an elite degree, the Jets will make a good run.
The principle cause I believe they may end decrease within the standings than final season is due to the opposite groups within the division. The Nashville Predators, specifically, made an enormous splash in free company, signing Jonathan Marchessault, Brady Skjei, and Steven Stamkos. All three are on the older aspect, however including that many gifted veterans to a staff that was already on the uptick might make waves this season.
Additionally, the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche are set to be aggressive once more this season. I’m undecided the Stars or Avalanche bought considerably higher this offseason, so it’s anyone’s sport at this level; no staff is predicted to run away with the division but. I believe the Jets will nonetheless make the playoffs, however they could wind up in a decrease spot than in 2023-24.
