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Winnipeg Jets 2018-2019 Way Too Early Lineup Prediction: Forwards

By Kyle McCarthy

WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 14: Kyle Connor #81 of the Winnipeg Jets celebrates his third period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights with teammates at the bench in Game Two of the Western Conference Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 14, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 14: Kyle Connor #81 of the Winnipeg Jets celebrates his third period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights with teammates at the bench in Game Two of the Western Conference Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 14, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Well, I know the Winnipeg Jets could make a few more moves in free agency or through the trade market. But I’ll consider that! And together we’ll wager a guess at what the team may look like this coming season.

The Winnipeg Jets have had a slow offseason. No real big free agent adds, and the one trade they did make, was a pure salary dump to try and sign a free agent.

Even without big adds, the team looks to be pretty formidable. Their core is returning, and that’s what matters. Connor Hellebuyck got a big extension.

Jacob Trouba, Brandon Tanev, Tucker Poolman, Marko Dano and Adam Lowry all escaped RFA status with deals. The only remaining RFA (on the big club) is Josh Morrissey. I’m confident that doesn’t last too long.

Either way, let’s get started. The top six are pretty simple.

The Top Line

Pretty obvious. Mark Scheifele is going to be the center. Blake Wheeler will be to his right. And, why mix things up? Keep Kyle Connor on the left. Until he proves otherwise, and hopefully that doesn’t happen. Hell of a top line.

The Second Tier

Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers make up the wings. Really great pair, there. Maybe the best in the league. Don’t @ me. Well, you can, I’m @kyleofmacedonia on Twitter. The center? Well, this was Paul Stastny‘s spot. Stastny is now a member of the much hated Vegas Golden Knights.

So, we’re left without much of a choice. If the situation requires it, we can swap the second and third line centers. But for now, let Bryan Little show he belongs. His linemates should make it easy on him.

The Bottom Six

Adam Lowry will center the third line for the time being. Joining him? Well, on the left, I’ll stick Mathieu Perreault. He’s a solid force anywhere, and  he’s extremely versatile. Gotta love the guy. On the right? Slick Rick Nash. I suggested the team could pursue him as a bottom six guy.

He just fits best there at this point of his career. And he remains unsigned. Yes, some of that is the uncertainty about returning to the NHL. But he never got his name on the Cup, and the Jets can sell him on that chance.

The fourth line? I’ll have it centered by Andrew Copp. Look, I know there’s concerns about Bryan Little. But that’s pretty good center depth. A true number one and plenty of number threes. Maybe Little goes back to being a two. That would be nice.

Either way, flanking him? I’ve seen enough of them sitting Marko Dano to know it’ll continue. Brandon Tanev is definitely going to get time, so that’s one spot. Nicolas Kerdiles and Jack Roslovic are options here.

But the fun option? Kristian Vesalainen. I’d like to see Roslovic, too. And he’s a great prospect in his own right.  But Vesalainen is more fun to me. His skill set is similar to Laine’s, and it’d be fun to have someone on the fourth line just popping pucks at the net with impunity.

Next: Five Reasons Jets Could Improve in 2018-2019

So, there you have it.

  • Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler
  • Ehlers-Little-Laine
  • Perreault-Lowry-Nash
  • Tanev-Copp-Vesalainen

Tell me what you kids think.

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