The Winnipeg Jets are proving many naysayers incorrect early within the season. Many specialists picked the Jets to complete out of the playoffs this season, and rightfully so due to the strikes or lack thereof made by normal supervisor Kevin Cheveldayoff.
Nonetheless, no strikes are typically the very best, and the Jets’ technique is paying off early within the season. They’re 6-0-0 and sitting on the prime of the Central Division.
Let’s Not Dismiss the Winnipeg Jets This Season
We should keep in mind that head coach Scott Arniel coached these gamers throughout stretches of final season when then-head coach Rick Bowness stepped away for private causes. So, they’re aware of this group, and so they belief his decision-making expertise behind the bench.
He’s getting the Winnipeg Jets to play a tough and rugged type of hockey primarily based on protection. That’s what made them so profitable final season. Whereas it unraveled within the first spherical of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in opposition to the Colorado Avalanche, the Jets deviated from their type of play. Winnipeg tried to play run-and-gun hockey as an alternative of the bodily hockey type they have been identified for.
You noticed that type within the season’s opening sport once they routed the Western Convention Champion Edmonton Oilers 6-0. Winnipeg was throughout Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and the remainder of the Edmonton Oilers group. Each likelihood to play bodily, they did.
NHL Information: The Winnipeg Jets and Cole Perfetti Agree on a Two-Yr Deal
Not solely that, however the gamers who have been introduced in as a part of the Pierre-Luc Dubois commerce have lastly acclimated to their new environment. Gabriel Vilardi performs on the highest line with Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele. The Jets prime line is without doubt one of the finest within the NHL.
Vilardi was at all times a very good participant with the Los Angeles Kings, however there have been inconsistency points. These points don’t exist with the Jets this season. He’s making Scheifele a greater participant.
Scheifele is wanting just like the participant he did for the Jets earlier than he had the hit on Jake Evans through the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He’s extra assertive with the puck. Scheifele has at all times had a very good shot. The identical could be mentioned about Connor, however including a participant like Vilardi has given the Jets prime line a distinct aspect.
The Chicago Blackhawks Did Okay This Offseason, the Winnipeg Jets Not So A lot
However when you search for and down the lineup, this Winnipeg Jets workforce has extra depth and is well-rounded. Cole Perfetti is coming into his personal on the second line with Vladislav Namestnikov and Nikolaj Ehlers. Ehlers is discovering his sport this season, serving to drive the offense.
Winnipeg’s third line, with Nino Niederreiter, Adam Lowry, and Mason Appleton, may be the very best within the NHL. These guys have nice chemistry, and this line is not going to be outworked. Lowry units the city main by instance. He was the right captain for this workforce. In the meantime, Morgan Barron, Alex Iaffalo, and Rasmus Kupari are additionally chipping in.
Possibly the Winnipeg Jets wouldn’t be as unhealthy as many thought. Generally, you possibly can’t choose a workforce by its strikes or lack of strikes; maybe you should choose a workforce on expertise, ability, and play on the ice.
The Winnipeg Jets have been a gifted workforce earlier than the season began. They’re simply displaying the world that typically it’s best to fly underneath the radar.
