Entering the season, general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and the Winnipeg Jets were a team the hockey world wanted to watch. In the offseason, there was so much speculation surrounding Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck. Will they stay or be traded? Both players were the talk of the 2023 NHL Draft. Instead, both players ended up re-signing in Winnipeg setting the tone for the season ahead.
The Winnipeg Jets had a different demeanor this year, especially with Adam Lowry being named captain. The room was different, with Pierre-Luch Dubois and Blake Wheeler no longer there. There was a new commitment to winning. They were ready to play for each other. Something that was missing in years past.
Especially last year after their collapse, where the Jets almost missed the playoffs last season. Their competitive level was not there night in and night out. That was something head coach Rick Bowness addressed after the playoffs were over. Some players were not happy about his comments. However, Bowness set the last year, and the players are buying in this year.
The Winnipeg Jets are battling for first place in the Central Division. Again they were a similar position last year too. However, this year, it feels like the Jets will remain near the top of the division. While you can consider them a surprise, the Jets have been consistently good for a while and now they are built to sustain success thanks to general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff.
Cheveldayoff was under pressure this season. It felt like he was too patient and kept disgruntled players around the locker room for too long. However, he has found the right mix in the locker room this season. Especially with the players he got from the Los Angeles Kings in the Dubois trade.
The Jets received Gabriel Vilardi, Rasmus Kupari, and Alex Iaffalo as part of the trade. The steal of that hockey trade has to be Vilardi. Now we have seen Vilardi go through scoring streaks last season with the Kings. However, this year, it feels different. And after he has come back from his injury earlier in the year, Vilardi has stepped up in a big way.
Around Full Press Hockey
NHL:Â Boston Bruins Could Use A Mulligan on 2015 NHL First Round Draft Picks
NHL:Â All Eyes Remain on What The Winnipeg Jets Do Next
Winnipeg:Â Winnipeg Makes Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele Jets For Life
Full Press Hockey Weekly:Â Ep 67: Karlsson Trade, Matt Dumba Signs, NHL News and Notes
PODCAST: Ep 64: Hockey Hall Of Fame, Free Agency, and More
WANT MORE PODCASTS? Full Press NHL Podcast: Around the NHL Offseason From Trades To Free Agency To Retirements To Rumors
He has needed to because of the injury to Kyle Connor. Vilardi has 15 points (seven goals and eight assists), but over the last five games, he has 12 points (six goals and six assists). He is not the only one that has stepped up his game. Nikolaj Ehlers is finally healthy again and has produced 15 points over the last 10 games. Nino Niederreiter is producing, and so is Kupari, Iafallo, Mason Appleton, and so on.
Not to mention, Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrissey continue to do their part offensively. Schiefele has 36 points (12 goals and 24 assists), while Morrissey has 29 points (six goals and 23 assists). While they are scoring at a great clip, the Jets are playing better defense in front of Connor Hellebuyck. Again, that was an issue for the Jets in the past.
Playing better defense and getting the right pieces in place keeps the Jets afloat in the Central Division. In years past, an injury to Connor or Vilardi would have crippled this team. But the depth of this team and the buy-in by the players to compete on a nightly basis have really benefited the Winnipeg Jets this season.
Again, it starts with the commitment by Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele to start the year. This carried over into the locker room, making it easier for Nino Niederreiter to re-up as well. Not to mention, the players have rallied together around the injuries, and when Rick Bowness stepped away, it was a family matter. Instead of buckling, the players played hard for Scott Arneil until Bowness returned.
There is a different feel around the Winnipeg Jets this year. Look out for this team because they are not going anywhere this season. General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is a big reason why. He constructed this team differently to be there in the end.