Paul Maurice called it his summer toy last month and said he had four different permutations and combinations on the go.

Since Winnipeg Jets training camp is less than a month away, it's time to look into the crystal ball (which is still a bit cloudy) to see where players might end up on that white board in the office of the head coach.

Obviously, things could change in the coming weeks, as pieces added or subtracted would impact where things stand.

There is going to be competition for jobs, but there aren't as many potential openings as some might envision.

For now, let's take our best swing at how things might shake down.

Goaltenders

Between the pipes, Connor Hellebuyck is sure to garner plenty of attention after a rookie season that saw him start in the American Hockey League's All-Star Classic and capture a bronze medal with Team USA from the 2015 men's world hockey championship, but Ondrej Pavelec will open the campaign with the starting job as he attempts to build on his best season as a pro.

Michael Hutchinson holds off Hellebuyck to start his second NHL season as a backup who will be asked to continue to push Pavelec, just like he did a year ago.

Defence

This is shaping up as the most competitive camp for blue-liners since the NHL's return to Manitoba, as the Jets have nine blue-liners on a one-way contract and Jacob Trouba, who is entering the final season of his two-way contract and is a lock to play big minutes. One of the big questions going into the camp is whether Maurice will experiment with one of Trouba, Tyler Myers or Dustin Byfuglien on the left side as a way to try and evenly distribute the minutes on the top-two pairings.

Toby Enstrom and Mark Stuart bring ample experience to the left side, while the list of others in the mix for jobs in the top-six are Ben Chiarot, Adam Pardy, Paul Postma, Jay Harrison, Grant Clitsome (provided he's recovered from his second back surgery), and newcomer Andrew MacWilliam.

Josh Morrissey is the top prospect on defence and while he figures to keep things interesting, he's more likely to end up in the AHL to hone his skills before he's ready to take the next step on a full-time basis.

The Jets found out last season how important it is to be deep on defence, but while the team is expected to break camp with eight blue-liners on the roster, someone will either be moved or be subject to waivers.

Forwards

The options here are plentiful.

For now, let's start with the premise that Andrew Ladd and Bryan Little will be used as a tandem. The same theory applies to Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler.

Drew Stafford has played with both groups, but looks like a candidate to go with Ladd and Little to start, which allows Mathieu Perreault to bring his playmaking and finishing ability to the line with Scheifele and Wheeler.

Adam Lowry's size makes him a strong bet to remain in the middle on the third line, as Alex Burmistrov moves to the wing as he returns to the NHL after two seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League.

After consecutive 100-plus point junior seasons, Nikolaj Ehlers has the inside track to nail down a job. Ultimately, he figures to work his way into the top-six but to start, look for Ehlers to be sheltered by the defensively responsible Lowry and Burmistrov and to be used on the second power play unit.

Rookie Andrew Copp will battle for the fourth-line centre gig and likely be flanked by some combination of Chris Thorburn, Joel Armia, Anthony Peluso, Matt Halischuk, Matt Fraser or Brendan Lemieux, who is my sleeper pick to make the opening-day roster.

It will be up to Lemieux to show if he's ready to make the jump, but he plays the style Maurice wants, combining a speed and power game with some offensive upside. It's possible Lemieux needs another season in junior, but don't be the least bit surprised if he forces his way into getting a longer look out of training camp.

Down the middle, Nic Petan turned plenty of heads during the pre-season last fall and he's another year older and wiser.

Petan's vision, hockey sense and competitiveness make him a strong candidate to make the decision difficult, but the logical landing spot for him is the Manitoba Moose, where he can be used in more of an offensive role as he adapts to the pro game.

For most Jets fans, this competition for jobs can't start soon enough.

FORTUNE TELLER

Ken Wiebe’s projected Winnipeg Jets opening-day lineup:

Forwards

Andrew Ladd-Bryan Little-Drew Stafford

Mathieu Perreault-Mark Scheifele-Blake Wheeler

Alex Burmistrov-Adam Lowry-Nikolaj Ehlers

Brendan Lemieux-Andrew Copp-Chris Thorburn

Defence

Toby Enstrom-Jacob Trouba

Tyler Myers-Dustin Byfuglien

Mark Stuart-Ben Chiarot

Goal

Ondrej Pavelec

Michael Hutchinson

ken.wiebe@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @WiebeSunSports