You can ask Winnipeg Jets executives as many times as you want. You can ask them who is their number one center, and they will say they are sticking to a process, and eventually it will become evident. Or they will say we will win as a team, and no leader needs to be determined. But really, inside closed meeting room doors, Jets executives are fighting over whether Mark Scheifele is their number one centre. Sure, he’s just a small peice of a huge puzzle the Jets have to assemble.
Media always looks at their team, and wonders, who in our organization fits in like the last few Cup Champions. Chicago is a team many clubs try to model after. Looking at Chicago, the main things they have as a dynasty is a top two-way first line center. Also, three very capable, tough defenseman, two of which are all-stars. They also have a goalie who they have no problem of putting in the crease night in, night out. Sure Crawford isn’t an elite goalie, but he’s someone who keeps his team in the game every shift. The last key the Blackhawks have in their roster in 3 or 4 quality wingers. They are all 30 goal scorers, and playing with the right players, can produce goals at all the times they need it. A long with depth that is just average, but can produce at key moments, you got a three-time Stanley Cup Champion squad. So where do the Jets fit in to that mold?
The Jets have their goalie of the future, Connor Hellebuyck. He may never become Carey Price, but he will become a solid starting goaltender just like Corey Crawford is. They have their two, big, tough defenseman, in Tyler Myers and Dustin Byfuglien. Jacob Trouba, and Toby Enstrom are both capable of being quality minute munchers, like Niklas Hjalmarsson is to Chicago. Up front they may have found some of their Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, and Artemi Panarin like wingers. Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Blake Wheeler all fit the bill as wingers who could be point per game players. The only thing that’s left…
A number one centre
We know Bryan Little is a great defensive number two centre, but a low scoring upside shades him away from a true top spot. That leaves Mark Scheifele, a former top 10 Draft selection. He spent the next two seasons back in the OHL, and fans started to wonder if he would turn out. Luckily all that development couldn’t have done him better. Down the stretch of this past season, Bryan Little went down with an injury, and Scheifele was put into his first work as a 1st line centre. Him, along with Blake Wheeler and Nikolaj Ehlers teamed up to become the best line in hockey. Mark Scheifele ended the season with the most points of anyone in the NHL. When we look back to the Jonathan Toews, Mark Scheifele comparison, it’s very similar. Their goals, and assists per 60 minutes are almost on par. So are their possession numbers.
“There’s probably not a truer match for our organization than Mark Scheifele.” – Kevin Cheveldayoff
The best news for the Winnipeg Jets, is every season Mark Scheifele has improved. He’s gone to 34 points in his rookie season, to 49 in his sophomore season, and 61 in just 72 games this season. Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff is also hopeful: “There’s probably not a truer match for our organization than Mark Scheifele.” And to add onto that, he’s looked better. He’s starting to become more responsible defensively, and his quick realease shot, has been flying past goaltenders just like it did when he played with Barrie.
Whether Scheifele does become the next Jonathan Toews or not, we do know the Jets are starting to get the mold of a championship team, and hope to be one soon.