Are the Winnipeg Jets better right now than they were at this time last year?

Although there’s still nearly a month to go before main training camp, it’s a question that is generating plenty of discussion these days, whether it be around water coolers or in dressing rooms all across Manitoba.

The Jets didn’t make any splashy additions and are clearly banking on plenty of internal improvement to take the next step into the post-season.

Having a head coach in Paul Maurice with more than 1,100 games of NHL experience should be a benefit, but how many points is it going to be worth in the standings?

That’s nearly impossible to quantify, but it can’t hurt.

While realizing the game is played on the ice and not on paper, let’s take a closer look at how the Jets are shaping up right now, position by position.

Goalies

Returnee: Ondrej Pavelec

Candidate for promotion: Michael Hutchinson

The wild card: Connor Hellebuyck

Who’s out: Al Montoya (Florida Panthers)

The verdict: Worse

Given how well Montoya played as the backup last season and the fact Hutchinson has only three NHL games on his resume, it’s tough to argue the Jets aren’t in a worse position between the pipes. Granted, they’re expecting improvement from Pavelec, believe that Hutchinson is ready to make the jump to the NHL after an excellent season in the minors and the future looks bright for Hellebuyck, who is turning pro after a brilliant college career but needs some seasoning. Pavelec understands the importance of the upcoming season and it’s time for him to take the next step in his progression.

Defence

Returnees: Toby Enstrom, Zach Bogosian, Jacob Trouba, Mark Stuart, Grant Clitsome, Paul Postma, Adam Pardy, Keaton Ellerby

Newcomer: Julien Brouillette (depth player)

Candidates for promotion: Ben Chiarot, Brenden Kichton, Julian Melchiori

The wild card: Josh Morrissey

Who’s out: Zach Redmond (Colorado Avalanche)

The verdict: Equal

The belief was that the Jets were looking for a Top-4 D-man to add to the mix but as of right now, it looks like they’re banking on an internal candidate to handle the job, with Grant Clitsome and Mark Stuart as the leading candidates. Josh Morrissey is coming off a fantastic season and figures to make the decision to send him back to junior a difficult one. The Jets won’t rush him, but his ability and hockey IQ just might allow him to be in the discussion. Whether he remains with the Jets beyond the nine-game window before the first year of his entry-level contract kicks in will be interesting to monitor. Although Dustin Byfuglien started last season as a blue-liner, the Jets still have the most depth on the back end. Let’s call it a wash on the back end.

Forwards

Returnees: Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little, Michael Frolik, Evander Kane, Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, Dustin Byfuglien, Jim Slater, Chris Thorburn, Matt Halischuk, Eric Tangradi, Anthony Peluso, Eric O’Dell

Newcomers: Mathieu Perreault, TJ Galiardi

Candidates for promotion: Adam Lowry, Carl Klingberg, JC Lipon, Patrice Cormier, Scott Kosmachuk, John Albert

The wild cards: Nic Petan, Nikolaj Ehlers

Who’s out: C Olli Jokinen (Nashville Predators), RW Devin Setoguchi (free agent), LW James Wright (free agent)

The verdict: Improved

Offensively, the Jets should be able to make up the difference for the production that is departing (29 goals, 70 points) from Jokinen and Setoguchi but they’ll be looking to do it collectively. It looks like Maurice is going to try to have three scoring lines and an energy line. For much of his tenure after taking over as head coach, Maurice often played three lines but look for that to change this season, as there will be plenty of forwards battling to secure spots among the bottom six. Veterans had best be on their game, as there is a significant push coming from below.

ken.wiebe@sunmedia.ca

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