2023 Central Division Preview Series: Winnipeg Jets

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 28: Colby Barlow is selected by the Winnipeg Jets with the 18th overall pick during round one of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on June 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 28: Colby Barlow is selected by the Winnipeg Jets with the 18th overall pick during round one of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on June 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

We have covered the Central Division teams in the Midwest like St. Louis and Nashville this week. Now it’s time to take a trip across the pond and over the Canadian Border to Preview the Winnipeg Jets.

Now coached by former Dallas Stars Coach Rick Bowness, the Jets look to turn things around after a very disappointing season. With a lot of new faces from the trade of Pierre-Luc Dubois and possibly Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele trades soon, it’s going to be a bit of a rebuild in the city of Winnipeg. Let’s take a look at what the Winnipeg Jets did over the offseason and where they will end up in the Central Division.

Winnipeg Jets Preview: Key Losses

Pierre-Luc Dubois

Blake Wheeler

Winnipeg Jets Preview: Key signings

Gabriel Vilardi

Alex Iafallo

Rasmus Kupari

Winnipeg Jets Preview: Assessment

It will be interesting this season where the Jets will find their offense, to say the least. With Dubois gone, the Jets will try to find some offense from players they traded for, and for those returning. It appears even after these moves during the offseason, the Jets are very optimistic about their future.

They could give some of the Central Division some fits on some nights, but I don’t know if they have a roster right now that could get them to the playoffs. Kyle Connor and Josh Morrissey have got to step it up in order for the Jets to make the playoffs if they decide to trade Scheifele. He was their leading goal scorer last year with 42 goals and might look to capitalize on his trade value before the season.

Winnipeg Jets Preview: 2023/24 Prediction 7th place

They might be in the basement of the Central Division this season. With the way the Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, and Minnesota Wild have improved their rosters, the Jets might be in for a crash landing this season.

They could surprise everyone if they can generate some consistent offense. Knowing Rick Bowness is behind the bench and his history with the offense when he was with the Stars, that won’t be happening. It might be time to look for a new coach after next season.