DENVER –

He's been anything but an overnight sensation, though it's clear Mark Scheifele is turning heads with his play.

The Winnipeg Jets centre is a budding superstar and his continued ascension has him scoring goals and collecting points at a pace that is in line with the elite players in the game.

In his fourth season in the NHL, Scheifele has found a new level.

And while he's the first to tell you he's got plenty of things to work on in terms of rounding out his overall game, there's no question Scheifele can handle the burden and responsibility of being a No. 1 centre.

Scheifele entered Friday's action with 25 goals and 53 points in 51 games and for much of the season, he's been producing at a pace of more than a point-per-game.

Perhaps even more significant is that Scheifele returned from a three-game absence due to a hamstring issue and has chipped in 12 goals and 27 points in 25 games.

Speaking of numbers, only Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has more points than Scheifele (88 to 87) since February 18 of 2016 – and that's pretty heady company.

“It's obviously pretty cool. Crosby is an unbelievable player and a guy I look up to,” said Scheifele, who had two goals in a 4-3 win over the Dallas Stars on Thursday. “I know I have a long way to go and a lot of things to learn and he's definitely a guy that I watch to learn from.”

The Jets (25-25-4) close out a four-game road trip against Central Division opponents on Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche (13-33-2), who have dropped nine consecutive games.

Scheifele was paid handsomely for his growth as a player, inking an eight-year deal worth $49 million in the summer, but the extra-large contract hasn't been an anchor or a distraction for him at all.

The seventh overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft is often the first player on the ice and among the last ones off, looking for ways to add another layer to his game.

Perhaps the most impressive part about Scheifele's continued offensive progression – he's already within four goals of his career high he set last season – is doing it against the top defence pairing and most relentless checkers each and every night.

“You want to be playing against the best,” said Scheifele. “It's a huge honour to be playing against guys like that and having that responsibility. It's a challenge I like to take and the guys I play with help me a lot.”

Scheifele spent a good chunk of time playing with Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers this season and while the trio had success, Jets head coach Paul Maurice decided to switch things up recently, putting Blake Wheeler and Andrew Copp on his wings five games ago.

“When he plays with (Wheeler), he plays a straight-line game. It's more of a speed game,” said Maurice. “If you go back a year-and-a-half ago, to (look at) the number of the posts he hit.

“I'm not sure he's taking anything off his shot. But he's got a little more poise with the puck and he's placing it better.”

There's little doubt about that, but Scheifele believes he's using his quick-release a little more wisely as well.

“I'm taking the shots that matter. Not wasting possessions on a nothing shot,” said Scheifele. “I'm trying to create more, not just for me, but for my linemates and that's been a big factor this year.”

Scheifele turned heads a few years ago when he mentioned he wanted to become one of the top centres in the NHL.

It wasn't boasting, but it was a goal of his and he was willing to put in the work required to reach it – whether it was spending countless hours in the gym in the summer with Gary Roberts or putting in individual skill sessions with Hall of Famer Adam Oates.

The sweat equity is paying off and the Jets are the benefactors.

Bryan Little still handles the majority of the toughest defensive assignments and has continued to be an outstanding player, remaining one of the most important pieces of the puzzle and giving the Jets a one-two punch down the middle that rivals most around the league.

Not only has Scheifele embraced his role as an alternate captain, he's part of an expanding young core and becoming one of the drivers of the group.

As good as Scheifele has been, the scary thing is that his best days are likely just around the corner.

And once he reaches his full potential, whatever that might be, Scheifele's ceiling figures to be something to behold.

“I like to work on things and I like to keep on getting better and better,” said Scheifele. “That's something I'm going to continue to do.”

kwiebe@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/WiebeSunSports

Mark Scheifele file

(rank in NHL going into Friday's action)

Points: 53 (6th)

Goals: 25 (3rd)

Assists: 28 (T25th)

NHL production since Feb. 18, 2016

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, 88 points in 69 games

Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg Jets, 87 points in 77 games

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, 82 points in 77 games

Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks, 82 points in 79 games

Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues, 75 points in 74 games

The progression:

2011-12: 7 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 P, 10:57 TOI*

2012-13: 4 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 P, 11:32 TOI*

2013-14: 63 GP, 13 G, 21 A, 34 P, 16:21 TOI

2014-15: 82 GP, 15 G, 34 A, 49 P, 18:35 TOI

2015-16: 71 GP, 29 G, 32 A, 61 P, 18:33 TOI

2016-17: 51 GP, 25 G, 28 A, 53 P, 20:10 TOI

* returned to Barrie Colts of Ontario Hockey League