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What do the Jets need?

November 30, 2020, 10:25 PM ET [136 Comments]
Anthony Travalgia
Winnipeg Jets Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
In a site-wide question, we’ve been asked what do the teams we write about need to be complete? While it’s hard to pick one specific thing, right off the bat a few things come to mind.

While the Jets still could use another top-four defenseman, this offseason was a successful one for the Jets as they addressed some needs by trading for center Paul Stastny and bringing back defenseman Dylan DeMelo.

As the Jets look to be more successful in the 2020-21 season after an early playoff exit in the bubble, the Jets will also greatly benefit from being on the better side of the injury front.

Injuries hit the Jets hard out of the gate last year and followed them to the very end of their season which ended in their bubble loss to the Calgary Flames.

When the puck eventually drops for the 2020-21 season, Paul Stastny and the Jets second line could be the key for the Jets.

So to answer the Hockey Buzz question of the day, the Jets need the same Stastny they had for 19 games in the 2017-18 season where he finished with 13 points in those 19 games after being traded from St. Louis.

With Bryan Little being advised by doctors to not play this season due to a head injury and perforated eardrum, Stastny fills the void left by Little and gives the Jets a very solid one-two punch down the middle.

In his previous stint with the Jets, Stastny found much success centering Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers. It’s expected those three will make up the Jets second line this season, rounding out one of the better top-six groups in the league.

We all know the Jets top trio of Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler will drive the Jets offense once again as the trio combined for 89 goals last year. But, if the Stastny line could find the chemistry and success they had a few seasons ago, the Jets will be in much better shape and poised for a deep playoff run.

Where Stastny could provide the biggest boost to the Jets offensive is five-on-five. Stastny has been known to drive a line and should have no problem doing so with two talented wingers.

But what Stastny could potentially do for Laine could prove to be more impactful than any stat or passing of an eye test can do.

Laine is on record that he hasn’t been too happy with who he’s played with in the past. Stastny gives Laine the opportunity to play with a talented center and one that can get him the puck.

Could that translate to a more motivated and more productive Laine? We shall see.

With Stastny on the ice five-on-five for the Golden Knights a season ago, Vegas held the edge in shot share at 57%. The more time Stastny has the puck on his stick in the offensive zone, the better for Laine and the better for the Jets.

To wrap this up and put a bow on it, yes the Jets could use a top-four defensemen. Yes, the Jets could use much better luck health-wise. But if Stastny can regain the form he previously showed in his first stint with the Jets, it’s a benefit that will have an impact all-around in Winnipeg and could prove to be the key to the Jets success in what surely will be an interesting season.
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