Grounded

WINNIPEG JETS

2013-14 record: 37-35-10 (84 points)
Missed the playoffs
Captain: Andrew Ladd

The Winnipeg Jets have been continuing the tradition that the Atlanta Thrashers started when they first joined the league in 1999.  That's not a compliment, and entering year four, Jets fans are getting restless.  A largely unchanged (of any significance) roster returns, as does the front office.  However, a coaching change was made in the middle of last season, and now, it is up to Paul Maurice, who took over mid-season, to get the Jets pointed in the right direction.  Given the division they're in, it will not be easy.

Up front, the only real change is that Dustin Byfuglien is moving back to right wing, a position he played while in Chicago.  While he was a major goal contributor from the blue line last season (20 goals), it was cancelled out by the fact that he was a major liability in his own end (-20).  Blake Wheeler, Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little, and Evander Kane all return, which isn't bad.  However, this is largely the same group that has overseen a playoff-less run since the Thrashers days, and Kane remains an enigma off the ice.  The less said about the blue line, the better, as they've been in the bottom third of the league since their only playoff run of 2007.  There are some good players here, with Jacob Trouba being a rising star.  However, if the Jets are to get anywhere, they will need good health (Zach Bogosian, Paul Postma, and Grant Clitsome all missed time) and a return to form by Tobias Enstrom.  If you're looking for a fatal flaw on the Jets, look no further than in goal, as Ondrej Pavelec posted horrific numbers (3.01 GAA) as a starter.  An eventual replacement is in the pipeline (Eric Comrie and/or Connor Hellebuyck), but nothing right away if Pavelec continues to struggle.

Prediction: 7th in the Central Division

The Jets' path to the playoffs was already going to be tough, with five of the seven teams making the playoffs last season.  However, a less than sterling defense and mediocre goaltending make it nearly impossible to say the Jets will be in anything more than the Connor McDavid sweepstakes.