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Winnipeg Jets Season Review: The Next Big Thing

By Kyle McCarthy

WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 12: Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Vegas Golden Knights guards the net as Kyle Connor #81 of the Winnipeg Jets carries the puck down the wing during first period action in Game One of the Western Conference Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 12, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Jets defeated the Knights 4-2 and lead the series 1-0. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 12: Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Vegas Golden Knights guards the net as Kyle Connor #81 of the Winnipeg Jets carries the puck down the wing during first period action in Game One of the Western Conference Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 12, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Jets defeated the Knights 4-2 and lead the series 1-0. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Winnipeg Jets needed to keep adding from the farm to expand on their moderate improvement in 2016-2017, and their top prospect did just that.

The Winnipeg Jets continued their long-standing tradition of having fantastic first round picks. Their last five or so years, each first rounder has been better than most team’s best in that period.

Great stuff from the front office. They added another blonde sniper. Maybe it’s a theme, but this one isn’t from Scandinavia (or Finland, if you’re a stickler for that).

Kyle Connor is from Michigan, and he’s a sniper, quite like Patrik Laine, although nowhere near as fearsome. And he’s fast, quick like Nikolaj Ehlers, although I’d put him a step behind.

But after a disappointing 20 game cameo in 2016-2017, in which he put up just 2 goals, he played basically a full season this past one. He did not disappoint, as he ended the year on the top line. Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler. What a world.

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Connor put up five points in six October games, and then never looked back. His only “down” month was five points in 11 January games. Aside from that, 10 points in 14 games twice, 10 points in 15 games, 11 points in 12 games and six points in four April contests. A playoff primer.

Just three goals in 17 playoff contests, but he did add 7 assists. Not terrible, but certainly not at the level we would expect. His linemate was stealing all the glory. Although I suppose they needed a bit more.

Oh well. Connor, like some other guys, may have been wearing down. After a career high 72 games the prior year, Connor was up to 93 contests. And playing in, you know, May. Maybe that is a cop out, but it’s just to say: I’m not worried about the kids yet.

The Winnipeg Jets looked unstoppable in the playoffs early going. They didn’t later on. It wasn’t competition, either, as they faced the President’s Trophy winning Predators. Whatever. It was a hugely successful season for the team.

And their young players, Connor included. A 31 goal season as a rookie is ridiculous. And he finished fourth in the Calder voting! Wasn’t even a finalist. He actually led in goals. Which is weird. Again, whatever. Awards are meaningless.

But it shows that sports are just trending toward younger players. Good thing the Jets are loaded with them. Kyle Connor is just a part of the process, here. It’s a damn good process, guys.

Next: Steve Mason Gets Salary Dumped

Kyle Connor is a really good player to have for a young team. The fact that he’s….the fifth? most important forward on this team, that’s amazing. I’m excited to see if he can expand on his success last season, or if he’ll score a little bit less.

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