The Winnipeg Jets are in a Tough Division, but How Did the Others’ Offseason Go?

The Winnipeg Jets are in the NHL’s toughest division, the Central. Three teams with over 100 points last season, and just one didn’t reach 90. Insane.

The Winnipeg Jets are as good a bet as any to win the Stanley Cup this coming season. It’s true. Will it happen? I don’t know, I hear it’s quite difficult. But they’re set up to do it. They just have to do it.

And that won’t be easy for any team. But the Jets are in the worst division for this. There’s a good chance one of the Blues, Predators, Stars or Avalanche will be facing Winnipeg early in the playoffs. Things will get difficult early.

Yes, I know they faced two division opponents in the first two rounds last playoffs. I’d bet on it again. Minnesota went down easy, but Nashville certainly did not. We’ve gone on about the Jets off-season quite a bit, but how did the other teams in the division do?

Well, Nashville is the biggest competitor, and they’re mostly betting on their current roster. The biggest move they made, other than their own re-signings, was inking Dan Hamhuis.

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Not that he’s particularly frightening, but the Winnipeg Jets don’t get away from him, as he stays in the Central after playing for the Stars for a few seasons. Perhaps their biggest addition will be Eeli Tolvanen, who played just three games last season.

The 19 year old Finnish wing is small, at just 5’10, but he’s one of the best prospects in the league. Is he ready? Only time will tell.

As for the Blues? Well, they lost Paul Stastny, as you’re well aware, but they did acquire Ryan O’Reilly from the Sabres. He broke sixty points, but doing so on Buffalo? Might be 120 elsewhere.  I kid, but he should push 70 fairly easily.

They also signed Tyler Bozak and David Perron. Oddly enough, while David Perron has played for five NHL teams, he’s only ever signed a contract with the Blues. I do not know why they keep signing him, however.

I know he was good last year, but never count on David Perron. But the Bozak and O’Reilly adds are good for this team. St. Louis is trying to win, no doubt.

The Stars have a new coach and basically just made depth moves. Nothing worth worrying about. A new backup goaltender and Blake Comeau.

The Wild added JT Brown and took Matt Hendricks away from the Jets, but otherwise didn’t do a whole lot. Same for Colorado, who added…uh, Ian Cole? So, if you’re disappointed by the Winnipeg Jets this off-season, just know it’s been slow.

Yes, the John Tavares saga took place but the Jets were never involved. They lost out on Paul Stastny to Vegas, but the biggest move their rivals made were the Blues trade for O’Reilly and signing Bozak.

Yes, this division will still be tough. as six of seven teams are solid bets to make the playoffs next season. They won’t, of course, but that just makes it worse for one of the try-hards that misses out. Hope it isn’t Winnipeg, but I doubt it will be.

As for Chicago, who cares? They’re not good and getting older. Patrick Kane is still a hero, but he can only do so much. The rest of the roster doesn’t look so good.