2015 Pool Projections: Winnipeg

We are now moving onto year number three for the Jets in Winnipeg, after their move from Atlanta and now the honeymoon period is pretty well worn off, leaving only traces of the happiness that came with bringing NHL hockey back to Manitoba. It is now time for the Jets to put up or sit back down and the poolies, like myself, can't wait to cash in.

I didn't have many kind words for the Jets organization in my Pool Outlook and so far, they have run the course that I thought that they would in the off-season, doing very little to make changes to the team and that will affect their overall projections.

The Jets have some natural talent on their team and some developing youngsters, but they also have lots of questions and possibly some disgruntled stars, which will be a huge bring down in the 2015.  As a poolie and looking at this Winnipeg team, I think this has more potential to take a turn for the worse, than they do at getting much better.  If I was to really have confidence in this team, I would be hoping for a change or two, moving some of their problems and cashing in on some of their value.

Forwards	14/15 Proj	Cap Hit	Defense	14/15 Proj	Cap Hit	Goaltenders	14/15 Proj	Cap Hit
Blake Wheeler	65	5.600	Dustin Byfuglien	55	5.200	Ondrej Pavelec	65	3.900
Bryan Little	60	4.700	Tobias Enstrom	35	5.750	Michael Hutchinson	5	0.575
Andrew Ladd	50	4.400	Jacob Trouba	35	0.894
Mark Scheifele	50	0.863	Grant Clitsome	20	2.067
Evander Kane	40	5.250	Zach Bogosian	15	5.143
Michal Frolik	40	3.300	Mark Stuart	10	2.625
Mathieu Perreault	40	3.000	Paul Postma	5	0.713
T.J. Galiardi	20	0.750
Matt Halischuk	15	0.725
Jim Slater	10	1.600
Chris Thorburn	10	1.200
Eric Tangradi	10	0.675
Anthony Peluso	5	0.563
COUNT		13	COUNT		7	COUNT		2
SUBTOTAL		32.626	SUBTOTAL		22.391	SUBTOTAL		4.475
						BUYOUTS & OTHER		0.000
						TOTAL		59.492
			PLAYERS		22	CAP SPACE		9.508
J.C. Lipon	30	0.645	Adam Pardy	10	0.700	Adam Comrie	5	0.637
Nicolas Petan	25	0.789	Keaton Ellerby	5	0.700
Eric O'Dell	10	0.650

First Round Picks

None.  Sure, the Jets have been carrying some pretty good defensemen, but they don't move into the same conversation that we might have with Erik Karlsson of the Senators, P.K. Subban of the Canadiens, Shea Weber of the Predators or Alex Pietrangelo of the Blues.

Most Intriguing or Breakout Player

Intriguing player... yes, that's how we'll file Evander Kane and his potential season with the Jets.  The well-publicized issues between Kane and the Jets have been a thorn in the side of not only the team's development into a playoff-bound team, but also in his own development as a potential 40-goal scorer in the NHL.  Kane could really use the change of scenery in the NHL and there should still be a market out there for his potential, something the Jets should really consider.  I can't see Kane being the hockey pool stud that he could possibly be in Winnipeg and the trial period should be considered long over.

Other Pool Worthy Forwards

I don't think it is out of the question that the Jets could find themselves in some offensive shootouts this season, some real barn burners, if you will.  The team has a number of reasonable offensive options, but whether or not they will be able to string some wins together will be another story, meaning they'll have to keep pucks out of their own net.  Nevertheless, I am looking for Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little to have decent years, followed by Andrew Ladd and Mark Scheifele, then the depth kind of falls off, but I wouldn't be pushing too hard for them.

Other Pool Worthy Defense

The emergence of Jacob Trouba, late in the 2014 season, should give the Jets another good option on the blueline, as it appears that Zach Bogosian has been falling off the map a bit.  There will be a rush for Dustin Byfuglien or Tobias Enstrom, but I wouldn't be too disappointed, if I got Trouba a little bit later on in the draft.  The defense could be the spot that could help make you some money, if you're dead set on picking some Jets.

Goaltending Situation

Doesn't look like the Jets have any other option to go with except for Ondrej Pavelec as their number one.  He hasn't been the most convincing of goaltenders, but as long as he's the only guy in Winnipeg, he'll be getting the minutes, just not necessarily the wins.  I don't see much for options at the back-up position and wouldn't be surprised if the team went out and got someone new before the season started.

Team To Pick From Late?

By default, I don't think I could get excited about the Jets, late in the draft, but saying that, they may be overlooked in the rounds before, which may leave a meaty morsel of points available for your pool team.  Unless they've been all snapped up at earlier times, maybe there will be something left.  I kind of doubt it though.  There will likely be better options out there.

Unsigned Players and Salary Cap

The Jets are definitely one of those budget teams still and they definitely have to start spending some money before they can really make that push.  Yes, if every team is going to jump off a bridge to make the playoffs, the Jets should definitely consider it as well.  With only one roster spot still open, the Jets still have nearly $9.5 million in cap space to the ceiling to spend, but it just doesn't seem likely that they will spend all that money, rather move one of their younger players into the position on the roster, saving cap space going forward.  Even with all that space, I don't see them being players at the deadline, because they won't have won enough games.

Injuries

All of the Jets appear ready for take off in the 2015 season.  No injuries lingering, heading into training camp.