New-Look Jets Prepared for Home Opener

It’s rather simple: make the playoffs and fans will be happy.

“But what about 2018-19?” you say. “Fans weren’t too happy about that, were they?”

No, you’re right.

After the Winnipeg Jets made it all the way to the Western Conference Final in 2017-18, the team made its way back to the postseason the following year. However, this playoff run was nowhere near as magical as the six-week, three-round adventure the year prior.

2018-19 saw Winnipeg fall to the eventual Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues in just six games.

Local supporters were beside themselves.

The following year was the first COVID-19-shortened season, and sure enough, the Jets faltered in the postseason once again, bowing out in the preliminary round to the Calgary Flames. 2020-21 was another difficult showing, as Winnipeg swept Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers before being on the receiving end of a sweep by Montreal.

We all know what happened last season. The Jets simply did not show up to play. Between coaches walking out and a lack of direction, Winnipeg was unable to find its way and missed out on the playoffs altogether.

Leadership was in question, star players spoke out about their murky futures with the Jets, while fans reeled in solitude, lamenting another wasted season.

Change was needed over the offseason, and despite the lack of a blockbuster deal, Winnipeg did undergo some significant alterations.

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It started with a new coach, Rick Bowness, who has made it clear that strong two-way hockey will be the gold standard for every member of the team. The team has adopted his new systems and the veteran bench boss is ready to see his club put its best foot forward in the season opener.

“I think we’ve made progress every day,” he said. “If we play like that at five-on-five, with good pressure, we’ll be a very hard team to play against. Use our speed, protect the middle of the ice. All the things that we’ve been talking about. Not giving them time and space. We’ve got to work together. The forecheck is a five man unit. The neutral zone is a five man unit. The D-zone is a five man unit. Getting to work as a fivesome is critical.”

Captain Blake Wheeler was stripped of his ‘C’, while a new leadership team was announced.

#NHLJets' head coach Rick Bowness has confirmed that Adam Lowry, Josh Morrissey and Mark Scheifele will serve as the team's alternate captains during the 2022-23 season.

Blake Wheeler will not have a letter. https://t.co/799tAoVVOH

— Carter Brooks (@CBrooksie84) October 13, 2022

Through camp, a number if intriguing storylines arose. From the logjam on the blueline to additional forward acquisitions before opening night. Waiver-wire drops and pick-ups also found their way into the fold.

The team officially unveiled its opening night roster for the 2022-23 NHL season after a number of moves the past week.

Last week Saturday, the Jets placed 2017 third-round pick, Johnathan Kovacevic, on waivers. Earning a three-year, one-way contract with Winnipeg this July, he earned the right to pass through Waivers should he be sent to the minors. Unfortunately for the Jets, but fortunately for Kovacevic, Montreal picked up the young blueliner. He made his debut on a youthful Habs back-end on Wednesday and put up decent numbers in 19 minutes on ice in his fifth NHL game.

The #NHLJets have lost homegrown defenceman Johnathan Kovacevic via Waivers to the Montreal Canadiens.

The 25-year-old former third-round pick earned the three-year, one-way contract signed back in July; it comes with the territory, but I cannot imagine TNSE is happy about this.

— Carter Brooks (@CBrooksie84) October 8, 2022

On Sunday, the Jets placed Jansen Harkins on Waivers, to which he passed through without an issue.

Monday saw a couple more moves made by the club, as Winnipeg opted to send young defenceman Ville Heinola down to the Moose, while the Jets also claimed forward Axel Jonsson-Fjallby off Waivers from Washington. Mason Appleton was placed on the team’s injured reserve and Dominic Toninato passed through Waivers en route to the Moose with Harkins.

The decision was made the keep Kyle Capobianco and Dylan Samberg with the big club in a backup role, while Logan Stanley earned the final position on defence, which saw Heinola pack his bags and head to the AHL once again.

Following what was a weekend of interesting decision making, personnel-wise, the Jets have found themselves set with their 23-man roster for opening night. With old friend Jacob Trouba and the New York Rangers in town for Winnipeg’s home opener on Friday night, here is how Winnipeg will line up:

#NHLJets lines at morning skate:

Connor – Scheifele – Ehlers
Perfetti – Dubois – Wheeler
Barron – Lowry – Appleton
Maenalanen – Gustafsson – Gagner

Pionk – Dillon
Morrissey – DeMelo
Stanley – Schmidt

Hellebuyck
Rittich

Game 1/82 at 7:00 PM vs. NYR tonight.

— Carter Brooks (@CBrooksie84) October 14, 2022

Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM central time following player introductions on Friday from Canada Life Centre. The game can be viewed live on TSN.