2015-16 record: 35-39-8 (82 points)
Missed the playoffs
Captain: Blake Wheeler
The high of making the playoffs two seasons ago faded when the Jets had trouble keeping pucks out of the net. With the team generally staying the course when it comes to how they want to build the team, that meant growing pains for a lot of the prospects who came along during last season. It wasn't until a bounce of the ping pong ball that the movement gained some steam, as the Jets were elevated to second overall in the draft. There's still things to figure out, but the future beyond this season looks bright.
It was an all-around bad year for the Jets, as the offense barely made the middle of the pack status offensively. While it was relatively top heavy, with the likes of Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele, and Dustin Byfuglien carrying the load, there is a logjam of youth that is ready to contribute, with Nikolaj Ehlers already there and any of Patrik Laine, Nic Petan, and Joel Armia, among others, at the doorstep. The offense will have to improve from within. Similarly, the defense is in the same spot, as they were 22nd overall despite trotting out Byfuglien and Tyler Myers. Now, with the uncertainty surrounding Jacob Trouba and his contract issues, that could cause a few more problems. It would help the defense a little more if goaltending was more consistent, as incumbent starter Ondrej Pavelec was hurt for half the season and when he was healthy, he wasn't great. Connor Hellebuyck got a taste of NHL action, but needs another year in the AHL while Michael Hutchinson is a back-up in every sense of the word. Special teams were outwardly dismal, as the penalty kill suffered, but the power play was even worse. Laine should help the power play, but the Jets will need to stay out of the box a little more to improve the penalty kill.
Prediction: 5th in the Central Division
The Jets are committed to a youth movement, but first, they may wish to solve their back line issues, especially since trouble could be ahead if there isn't a resolution to the Jacob Trouba situation. At the very least, their offense should see an uptick thanks to a potential superstar in Laine.
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