Winnipeg Jets 2022-23 Central Division Opponent Preview

Let’s take a look at the opponents the Winnipeg Jets will match up with most often

As we enter the 2022-23 season, we can now look at the upcoming season and what it may bring. So, let’s take a look at the opponents the Winnipeg Jets will match up with most often, as many of these teams have transformed their rosters in the offseason. Some teams have improved while others have made significant downgrades.

As we ramp up towards the season, rosters begin to take shape and we can start to figure out what sort of team each Winnipeg Jets’ opponent will ice.

Arizona Coyotes

Last Season Head to Head: Winnipeg Jets win season series 3-1

2021-22 Season

Without sugar-coating it too much, the Coyotes’ 2021-22 season was a nightmare. Not only did they struggle on the ice, but they were also battling off-ice issues regarding their arena situation. There wasn’t a lot of good to pull out of the year, but there are a couple of things to note. Their young core, led by Clayton Keller, produced quite well. It wasn’t nearly enough, but Keller’s team-leading 63 points were one of the few high notes in a terrible year.

The ‘Yotes finished last in the Central Division with a record of 25-50-7.

Offseason

Considering how rough the regular season was, you wouldn’t expect too much of an offseason either. The Coyotes added some additional depth in Zach Kassian and Patrik Nemeth, while also signing Lawson Crouse to a five-year extension. In terms of losses, the biggest loss is most certainly Phil Kessel. The soon-to-be NHL Iron Man tallied 52 points for the Coyotes in 2021-22. Kessel signed with the Golden Knights on a one-year deal.

Oh, and they’re playing in a 5,000-seat arena. That happened during this past offseason too and has become quite the talking point around the league. For the Arizona Coyotes, things somehow look even more grim going into this season.

Projected Lines

Forwards

Nick Schmaltz – Barrett Hayton – Clayton Keller

Lawson Crouse – Travis Boyd – Jack McBain

Nick Ritchie – Nick Bjugstad – Zack Kassian

Andrew Ladd – Nathan Smith – Christian Fischer

Defense

Shayne Gostisbehere – Dysin Mayo

Jakob Chychrun – Troy Stecher

Patrik Nemeth – Josh Brown

Goalies

Karel Vejmelka

Ivan Prosvetov

Strengths and Weaknesses

In terms of strengths, there isn’t much to be confident about when talking about the Coyotes. You can point to the youth as a strength, as they’re starting to make a noticeable impact

There are several things that can be pointed to as weaknesses on this team. Depth, lack of scoring, or shaky defense can all be seen as notable weaknesses. That said, the goaltending just doesn’t seem like it could hold up over an 82-game season.