It's time to see whether Kevin Cheveldayoff practices what he preaches.

It's also time to see if the Winnipeg Jets franchise is going to stay true to their word when it comes to young, promising prospects.

They have been on pace with their first ever draft pick in Mark Scheifele, as the young centre is playing in his second OHL playoffs since being drafted in 2011.  With only eleven games of NHL play in two seasons (at the start of the season mind you) and only one goal, it only made sense to not rush Scheifele and give him time to develop.

It would even make sense to play him an entire season in St. John's and the AHL to develop professionally before bringing him up full-time into the NHL.  Why not?  The Jets are in no hurry as their predecessors were, if some of the current players can give any proof of.

The Jets do not want Scheifele to become another Alexander Burmistrov - because they already have one player the likes of him - a player rushed into the NHL with only one year of junior hockey under his belt because of the need for upper class players in the lineup to put rear ends in seats in a non-hockey market.

Now that the team is in a hockey market, there is no need to that with Scheifele or any prospect for that matter.

That is why the Jets are in a good situation with their most recent first round pick - defenseman Jacob Trouba.

After a very solid rookie season in the NCAA with the University of Michigan where Trouba scored 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) in 37 games, there are whispers that Trouba is thinking of turning pro despite only one year of college hockey under his belt.

Trouba, who finished third in Wolverine scoring this season, is also up for many different awards, including CCHA rookie of the year, CCHA best offensive defenseman, not to mention he was a first-team CCHA All-Star to boot.

All in all, Trouba possesses the game the Jets needs - a player who has been described as having the tenacity, grit, and raw power of a Scott Stevens combined with the grace and elegance of a Nicklas Lidstrom.

While there is no doubt Trouba has the potential to be even better in his second year in the CCHA with the Wolverines, would the right choice be putting in a year (or two preferably for the Jets currently crowded blueline) in the AHL to learn the pro game before donning a Jets jersey full-time?

At this point, the situation is very uneasy depending on the decision Trouba makes followed by the choice the Jets make after.

For Trouba, if he were to state his intentions (which he would need to do soon) to the Jets that he would like to turn pro, the Jets would have to negotiate with him without an agent representing him since he is a college player (there are safeguards against taking advantage of a player without an agent and I'm sure Cheveldayoff and Jets management would be in all cases more than professional).  

If Trouba were to hire an agent to negotiate with the Jets his college eligibility would be forfeited.

If he were to reach a deal, he would be eligible to play in the AHL or NHL.

For the Jets, if they were to send him to St. John's, Trouba would have to sign an amateur tryout contract alongside his  regular entry level contract of three years.  However, an amateur tryout contract would forfeit his college eligibility again.

So for both parties, there is a fine line to be walked upon and there is no easy answer for either side.

For Trouba, it is the expectation that a good year in NCAA may mean that he could be ready to turn pro.  The question is: What level of pro?  AHL or NHL?

For the Jets, is there the need to rush Trouba?  The answer is a simple no.

Currently, the Jets have ten defenseman with the big club (including the injured Zach Redmond) and, at this point, have no need for an eleventh especially with the solid play of Ron Hainsey this season along with Derek Meech finally playing a full-time role in the NHL.

If any were to go down, the likes of other young defensemen, such as Paul Postma or Arturs Kulda, are both ready to jump into the lineup.

The only spot for Trouba to continue developing at any pro level without hindering his progress would be in St. John's, where they are without Postma, Kulda, and Redmond - the three big defensemen they relied upon last spring in their run to the AHL's Eastern Conference Finals.

Again, the Jets could simply let Trouba know their intentions of not rushing him along.  He has only one year of college hockey under his belt and another season (or even two) would not hurt his development of his skills and his body.

The Jets could simply use their example of how Mark Scheifele has been handled over the last two years.  Despite Scheifele's playing eleven games in two seasons with the team, there has been patience there that the Jets have needed.

For Trouba, the decision is still up in the air, but the situation could be good for both parties involved.

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If there is one thing the 2012-13 Winnipeg Jets have taught me, it is that they can confound me one night and then bring me utter joy the next.

As my sister-in-law put it, "This team just frustrates me."  And to boot, she can only stand watching the Jets for a certain amount of time before she will flip it to the nearest Vancouver, Pittsburgh, or Chicago game to see a team that has it going already.

That's something interesting, I thought.  That a hometown fan would rather watch another, more mature team that knows the difference between playing with consistency and just playing in the NHL than watching her own Jets play despite the mesmerizing eggs they lay on occassion.

Fair enough - is the conclusion I have come to, for I, myself, have felt the exact same feeling.  Turning off game after game that the Jets laid an egg.

For instance, the past weekday back-to-back home series with the Washington Capitals.  Outscored 10-1 in two games and now 13-1 at MTS Centre against a divisional opponent this season - I had no other choice that to turn the game off (with authority on my TV remote).

It hurt even more when you add the fact that I had to personally experience the first 3-0 loss back in early March.  Painful, yet it was a learning experience - for both the fans and the players.

Claude Noel is a very honest, upright, and forward man.  That's what it takes to be a coach in the NHL these days it seems.  He is never willing to back down from any challenger from the press (which makes him tied for the most amusing post-game comments and interviews) or from making his team better.

Better in being prepared for the game and better by taking the heat and carrying the load on his shoulders rather than resting it on Jets players who, for the majority, are under the green, young age of 26 or so.

Unlike the philosophy of Atlanta, where the likes of Bryan Little, Evander Kane, Zach Bogosian, and Alexander Burmistrov had to face the throws of the NHL from Day 1 in their professional careers (together they make up 61 AHL games with Bogosian and Kane having never played in the AHL after juniors), Noel preaches patience and lets these players know they won't simply be given ice time any longer.

It has to be refreshing for these players after being sold the same old garbage down in Atlanta where they were given the keys to the house and expected to clean it up all the time without being told how.  

No longer are they getting first line ice time for the sake of being the star draft pick - they are earning it and responding.

That is where Noel's challenge to his players comes into full swing.  They understand their challenge, they accept it, and then they go out and prove what they need to do.

It also comes in full circle when captain Andrew Ladd and defenseman Dustin Byfuglien have Stanley Cup experience to impart on many of these younger players.

And to quote one of the most widely quoted movies (and not to the exact quote either), if you preach consistency, it will happen.

If you give them something to strive for, they will respond.

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When the Jets put the ink into Ondrej Pavelec's pen to sign a new five-year, $19.5 million contract this summer, my eyes rolled as far back into my head as possible.

I knew it would be a break or bust kind of deal.

But the Winnipeg Jets cannot be condemned for making this signing - Pavelec is their only real legitimate goaltender capable of being a number one.

Last year's backup Chris Mason had shown signs of aging and rust as his numbers the year before the move in Atlanta were not great (13-13-3, 3.39 GAA) and his numbers as Pavelec's backup were not anything to bank on either (8-7-1, 2.59 GAA).

Al Montoya - the Jets new backup - shows promise of a legitimate backup goalie but doesn't sport the same pedigree of a starting goalie as Pavelec has shown he can be capable of (if he plays up to potential) the last two seasons.

Pavelec's last consistently good season as a goalie came a few years back - in 2007-08 to be exact - when he went 33-16-3, 2.77 GAA leading the AHL's Chicago Wolves to a Calder Cup Championship.

Even then Pavelec's GAA wasn't the greatest and I'm unsure why anyone thought it might improve in the NHL, which sports much better players than its minor league affiliate.

Even Pavelec's junior career numbers were not extremely promising - 55-20-0, with a 2.51 GAA in two seasons with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (oddly enough coached by Jets assistant coach Pascal Vincent).

The fact that Pavelec hasn't played a single game of playoff hockey - NHL or AHL - since 2008 has me worried if he can get the Jets there and whether he can do anything more when he does.

The main problem: inconsistency.

From a 9-8 win over Philadelphia early last season to games where the most suspect of goals would go in at the worst possible times - remembering an early December 2011 game against New Jersey.

Even recently against the Ottawa Senators, two suspect goals of the four by Ottawa were saves not made at crucial times.

It is not up to Pavelec to score the goals, but it is his job to stop the pucks.

The Jets need for consistency cannot be stressed enough and if the Jets want to compete for anything - nevermind a playoff spot - they sink or swim with Pavelec.

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With the impeding start to the 2013 NHL season this afternoon at MTS Centre, here are (finally) the top 12 players as rated by Jets All Out.

 

#12: Mark Stuart

Last Year's Ranking: 15

This Year's Ranking: 12

Difference: +3

Mark Stuart became a solid part of the Winnipeg Jets blueline last season as well as a fan favourite.

The rough and tumble part of the Jets blueline corps was a shot blocking, hard hitting machine as he finished with 198 hits last season - tied with Brent Seabrook for 28th in the league and second on the Jets behind since departed Tanner Glass.

Stuart's 182 blocked shots was ranked ninth in the league - ahead of the likes of Hal Gill and Barrett Jackman - giving the Jets number five a more defined role as a part of the Jets top four.

The former 21st overall pick by the Boston Bruins has blossomed into a defensive defenseman and one that the Jets dearly need in the lineup night after night.

Though Stuart only missed two games in 2011-12, the team could feel his absence in the shot blocking and defensive zone play.

Stuart's play from his first season in Winnipeg has given a much deserved rise in his stock to the 12th position in the top 25.

 

#11: Alexander Burmistrov

Last Year's Ranking: 13

This Year's Ranking: 11

Difference: +2

Alexander Burmistrov made himself a fan favourite as well with his flashy style of play and his work ethic.

Despite having only modest improvement in his offensive numbers - up eight points from his rookie season in Atlanta - Burmistrov's biggest improvement was in his defensive play.

His numbers went from -4 in Atlanta to a +12 in Winnipeg as his defensive play improved under Claude Noel. 

His 13 goals was a career high and the ceiling is only to continue to get higher and higher.

Look for him to improve playing alongside European veterans like Alexei Ponikarovsky and Nik Antropov and see an increase despite the shortened schedule.

Burmistrov's potential continues to push him up the top 25 list.

 

#10: Kyle Wellwood

Last Year's Ranking: N/A

This Year's Ranking: 10

Difference: N/A

Not on the list last year was the Jets most surprising player in 2011-12. 

Kyle Wellwood came out of nowhere, signed to a modest one-year deal and had a career season.

Wellwood's 47 points was a career high - former career high was 45 in his rookie season in Toronto - as was his 18 goals which tied his career high.

His offensive production was something that helped keep the Jets in the playoff chase down the stretch, giving the Jets some secondary scoring they did not expect to get from him.

In many ways, Wellwood made up for the lack of scoring from Nik Antropov last season while improving the game of Evander Kane.

If he is able to play with Kane and newcomer Olli Jokinen on the second line, look for Wellwood's assist production to increase.

Another great pickup by the Jets and a welcome additiont to this year's top 25 starting the top 10.

 

#9: Tobias Enstrom

Last Year's Ranking: 5

This Year's Raking: 9

Difference: -4

Toby Enstrom had a so-so 2011-12 season.

He missed the most time in a row that he has in his career with a early season collarbone injury against Florida and it affected the Jets offensive production from the blueline.

Despite time missed, Enstrom did manage to score 33 points in 62 games and add to that he had a +4 rating, the Jets undersized, puck-moving, Swedish defenseman had a decent season, but nothing All-Star worthy as his season in 2010-11 in Atlanta.

For Enstrom to be successful in Winnipeg, now that he has signed a five-year contract extension this summer, he has to be able to have a defensive partner who can make up for his defensive liabilities.

Because Enstrom is undersized - listed at 5'10", 180 lbs - he needs a partner who can play in the defensive zone and be responsible.

Last year, despite playing with Dustin Byfuglien and putting up good points (Byfuglien was second in defensive scoring), their defensive play needs some improvement.

Look for Enstrom to improve his defensive play under both Charlie Huddy and Perry Pearn.

 

#8: Olli Jokinen

Last Year's Ranking: N/A

This Year's Ranking: 8

Difference: N/A

The biggest off-season acquisition is the biggest question mark coming into the season.

Can Olli Jokinen improve the game of Evander Kane?

Can Olli Jokinen gel with this younger Jets team?

Now that Chris Mason jetted off to Nashville, Jokinen becomes one of the elder statesmen in the Jets lineup - slated as the centreman who will be playing with the young and up-and-coming winger Evander Kane trying to improve his play and professionalism.

Jokinen's numbers have been steadily improving the last few seasons - 61 points last season in Calgary after sub-50 points seasons in the last few - and the Jets are looking for secondary or perhaps primary scoring to come from Jokinen as well as his helping Kane improve his numbers.

If Jokinen can provide what the Jets signed him to a two-year, $9 million deal, then he would be a steal of a deal.

If he can return to his Florida Panthers-like play, then the Jets will have gone over and above on this deal.

 

#7: Bryan Little

Last Year's Ranking: 6

This Year's Ranking: 7

Difference: -1

There is no reason that Bryan Little needed to be bumped down a spot, but with the importance on many of the Jets other core players coming to the fore, Bryan Little's good 2011-12 season has gone by the wayside in this top 25 list.

Little's 24 goals was his highest total since he scored 31 in Atlanta in 2008-09.

He seemed more energized last season playing a full season alongside Blake Wheeler and Andrew Ladd, with Wheeler coming to the fore more as a playmaker.

However, of some concern, his -11 ranking after having a +11 ranking in 2010-11, seems to be something that not only does Little have to work on, but so does the entire first line of Little-Ladd-Wheeler.

For Little, his form is returning and he should be a 30 goal scorer once again in the NHL.

 

#6: Andrew Ladd

Last Year's Ranking: 1

This Year's Ranking: 6

Difference: -5

Andrew Ladd had just another good season, scoring 28 goals last season.  In the last two seasons, Ladd has scored 57 goals and it doesn't seem he will be slowing down.

The obvious leader of the Jets has to be that once again this season as the Jets will rely on his grit and his speed alongside Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little.

The success of the Jets "top line" all relies on the two-time Stanley Cup Champion and how he leads them through this shortened season.

Ladd, who won a Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in the season after the lockout, played with grit last year but was inconsistent at times.

For the entire Jets to be more consistent, Ladd has to step up as the model of consistency.

 

#5: Zach Bogosian

Last Year's Ranking: 14

This Year's Ranking: +9

Zach Bogosian's maturation has continued to improve - last year in leaps and bounds.

One big stat was his plus/minus which dropped drastically from a -27 in 2010-11 to a meager -3 in 2011-12.

His presence in the Jets lineup was dearly missed when he was not healthy.

For the start of the 2013 season, Bogosian's absence will be missed.  He adds grit, determination, and leadership to the Jets back end.

His two-way style of defense is something that makes him the future #1 defenseman of the Winnipeg Jets.

Despite being injured to start a contract year, when Bogosian enters the 2013 shortened schedule, the Jets will be dramatically better.

Jets fans can't wait for seeing #44 skate out full speed across centre as he did many times in 2011-12.

 

#4: Ondrej Pavelec

Last Year's Ranking: 4

This Year's Ranking: 4

Difference: 0

Ondrej Pavelec is the other looming question mark for the Winnipeg Jets and their success this shortened 2013 season.

Can Pavelec become an elite goalie and not a average goalie?

Of all the goalies with 25 or more wins, Pavelec had the worst GAA (2.91 - nearest was Craig Anderson at 2.84)and second worst save percentage (.906 - only Corey Crawford had worst at .903)

His record tells a larger story - inconsistency.

Sure he won a career high 29 games, but he also lost 28 games.

Consistency is something Pavelec needs to find.  If anything is different his year, younger backup goalie Al Montoya will push Pavelec to be better.

The Jets #1 netminder, who signed an extension this off-season too, has to prove he is worthy of the contract and climb the top 25 list.

 

#3: Evander Kane

Last Year's Ranking: 3

This Year's Ranking: 3

Difference: 0

Evander Kane is another question mark for the Jets.

Can Kane reproduce another season as he did last year?  Maybe score 20 goals in a shortened 48 game schedule?

Kane's off-season antics are almost as interesting and troubling for Jets fans and management as was Ondrej Pavelec's.

And that is the reason both Kane and Pavelec did not move up the top 25 list.

Kane needs to assert himself more as a professional and show he can play for his team and not himself to be an elite player in the NHL.

With 30 goals last season, Kane elevated his game on the ice.

He also improved his defensive play finishing with a +11 rating versus a -12 the year before in Atlanta.

If Kane can show he can put himself in the rear view mirror and play for the Jets, the ceiling is higher than high.

 

#2: Dustin Byfuglien

Last Year's Ranking: 2

This Year's Ranking: 2

Difference: 0

With 53 points last season - 41 of those assists - Dustin Byfuglien continued to produce on the blueline as he has become one of the biggest offensive presences on any NHL blueline.

His defensive play has also improved in a slow measure as he enters his third season as a full-time defenseman.

Despite being a combined -10 in his first two season on the blueline - Byfuglien's 106 points in two season has shown how shrewd a move it was to bring Byfuglien from the Chicago Blackhawks before the team moved to Winnipeg.

For the Jest blueline to be successful, Byfuglien will need to continue to improve his defensive zone play.  With the addition of Perry Pearn to the coaching staff and the presence of Charlie Huddy, there will only be an improvement for big #33 for the Jets.

 

#1: Blake Wheeler

Last Year's Ranking: 7

This Year's Ranking: 1

Difference: +6

The largest jump of any player in this top 25 list, Blake Wheeler has finally showed that there is potential in the Jets big #26 on the wing.

Wheeler, another shrewd move by the team before they moved to Winnipeg, has embraced playing in Winnipeg and on the top line of the Jets.

A big body, Wheeler became more of a playmaker than a power forward last season with 47 assists - tied with Henrik Zetterberg for 16th in the NHL.

The Jets leading scorer in 2011-12, Wheeler did not crack the top 30 in league scoring, but there is the potential for him to do so this season despite the shortened schedule.

Many have said that Evander Kane may be the most impactful player on the Jets. 

But night in and night out, despite his early season and late season troubles last season, the Jets success will be very heavily laid on the young shoulders of Blake Wheeler.

His consistency is key for the Jets success.

If Wheeler plays as he did at the top of his game last season, the Jets will be a force up front with their size, speed, and skill.

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Today on Twitter, there was an "leaked" Winnipeg Jets schedule released for the upcoming 48 game 2012-13 season and it has caused quite a stir on social media sites around the city, province, and country.

One thing it proved to me was that hockey is still a big deal in Winnipeg.

While many are speaking out boldly in other markets to boycott the shortened NHL season because they would be supporting greedy millionaires, Winnipeg hockey fans just want to watch their team.

Maybe it's the fact that we are new back in the league and still have more to give our team as fans than other older, more established franchises.

It made me proud and glad to be a Jets fan because I will be and am part of this great pride and appreciation of our team.

For Winnipeggers, it shows a resolve to be different as well as support the local economy and the local team.

To not support the Jets in the market they are in would be suicide to the team - and the team did nothing wrong to deserve a lack of support during the lockout.

This season will definitley be louder, more enjoyable, and the fans will definitely be more strict on how they cheer and yell and their Jets this season.

Look out because Jets fans are still selling out the MTS Centre - with or without a lockout.

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Alexei Ponikarovsky

This Year's Ranking: 13

Last Year's Ranking: N/A

Difference: N/A

For all those Winnipeg Jets fans who were Toronto Maple Leafs fans in the interim between the Jets first NHL team and second NHL team, there must have been alot of groaning going on when the Jets signed another former Maple Leaf player to the fold.

With the likes of Nik Antropov and Kyle Wellwood already up front for the Jets (along with former Leaf Tim Stapleton too), those ex-Leafs fans thought they may be in for Maple Leaf's of the early 2000s 2.0.

Don't fret ex-Leafs/now-Jets fans, that isn't likely.

In fact, with Wellwood having such a career season in his first year - however unlikely it was and is to repeat - the addition of Ponikarovsky may be the best thing for both a slumping Antropov and a red hot Wellwood.

In 82 games split between the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils, Ponikarovsky garnered only 33 points (14 goals, 19 assists), which was - surprisingly - a step up from his 15 points in 61 games a year before in Los Angeles - the team he lost to in last spring's Cup Final.

For a former 60 point scorer - 61 points to be precise in 2008-09 in Toronto - his numbers look inconsistent.

As I browse his stats on HockeyDB.com, I am alarmed at that inconsistency but realize that he can more valuable than just a scorer.

Brought in most likely to anchor that third line where Nik Antropov is most likely to play, it will bring about a sense of familiarity with the ex-Leaf teammates and perhaps spark both of them to get back on track stats wise.

Or maybe not.

In my mind, it's a gamble, but not a very risky one.

Ponikarovsky shouldn't be looked to score goals in bunches - he has only three 20 goal seasons (all with Toronto I might add).

At a $1.8 million cap hit, he is a deal compared with Antropov who is set to make $4.75 in the last season of his four year, $16.25 million contract.

And another big body doesn't hurt either.

Witih his addition, there are now 14 players that are 6'1" or taller - and that is not counting both goalies.

I like the simple addition of Ponikarovsky.

For the Jets, unlike the Hurricanes who signed him to a one year, $3.2 million contract, they got a servicable third liner capable of a roof of 20 goals and another player who can play the penalty kill.

It's a win-win with #13 in our list.

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With the NHL back and the Winnipeg Jets about to reconvene at and take over the MTS Centre this winter, the team we saw leave the ice last April will have some additions, subtractions, and some new faces that are rookie fresh.

Since we haven't had any Jets news for nearly four months, let's reintroduce fans and mix and match our Winnipeg Jets for 2013.

Forwards

Andrew Ladd - Bryan Little - Blake Wheeler

It's apparent that his line isn't a bonafide first line on any other NHL team - but on the Jets, these players are just coming into their own - mostly Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little.

The leader on this line - captain Andrew Ladd - already has two Stanley Cup rings to his credit and is trying for a third with his third different team.

His 28 goals and 50 points were as much as the Jets could hope for from Ladd - who could be inconsistent at times last year.

The biggest question mark for this line is whether or not Wheeler can replicate his season in 2013.

In 80 games last season, Wheeler had 17 goals and a team leading 47 assists and 64 points - career highs in the latter two categories.

Wheeler could use some help from his centre Bryan Little, who regained some of his scoring touch from a few years ago with his first 20 goal season (he scored 24) since he scored 31 in 2008-09.

This line powers the Jets and they hope that secondary scoring can be found with their recent acquisitions to the second line.

 

Evander Kane - Olli Jokinen - Alex Burmistrov

Evander Kane came into his own as a hockey player on the ice last season with a team leading 30 goals along with 57 points.

But his actions off the ice both during last season and during the lockout this season has both fans and management wondering whether signing Kane to a brand new six-year, $5.25 million per year deal was worth it for a player who seems to need more mentorship on how to be a professional.

If the Jets were thinking of trading Kane away, they would get much for him, but at this stage, Kane is the Jets best goal scorer and trading him away after he signed his freshly printed six-year deal would not look well on Jets management.

If someone can help Kane out, perhaps it could be the newest Jets addition Olli Jokinen.

Jokinen, who at times was criticized early in his career for being selfish, has rounded into an all-around player and is looking for a fresh start in Winnipeg.

His experience in Florida - where he scored a career high 91 points in 2006-07 - along with playing alongside Jarome Iginla in Calgary has given Jokinen experiences that has shaped him into a good hockey player.

After a few inconsistent years, Jokinen came back strong in 2011-12 with 61 points - his first season with 60+ points since his last season in Florida in 2007-08.

As for the youngest on the line - Alexander Burmistrov was a treat for Jets fans to watch in his sophomore year in 2011-12, but he will have to become more consistent and continue to develop his competitve edge in both the offensive and defensive zones.

With 28 points in 76 games last year, Burmistrov has followed it up with 11 points in 22 games for the St. John's Ice Caps thus far during the lockout and looks to put more experience on his skates.

 

Alexei Ponikarovsky - Nikolai Antropov - Kyle Wellwood

Chris Thorburn - Jim Slater - Spencer Machacek/Patrice Cormier/Antti Miettinen

Mark Scheifele

These lines is the most apt to change during training camp.

The addition of Alex Ponikarovsky (who played with Nik Antropov and Kyle Wellwood in Toronto) only strengthens the line and may help Antropov get back on track offensively.

As for Wellwood, the 5'10, 180 Windsor, Ontario native put up career numbers in a Jets uniform last season with 47 points - 29 assists and 18 goals.

The addition of Ponikarovsky could only help Wellwood as well since the newest addition to the line went to the 2012 Stanley Cup Final with the New Jersey Devils.

However, there is also the possibility of a younger player - such as Mark Scheifele - finally sticking with the big club after only playing seven games last season.

With 48 points (21 goals, 27 assists) in 29 games for Barrie this season, Scheifele is continuing his progress to become better and potentially be a big time player for the Jets.

If #55 is to make this lineup, he will have to put someone out of a job - most likely Antti Miettinen, Spencer Machacek, or Patrice Cormier.

If the Jets want more grit, they may have to part ways with Miettinen - who was a major disappointment last year for the Jets - 13 points in 45 games.

 

Dustin Byfuglien - Tobias Enstrom

Zach Bogosian - Mark Stuart

Ron Hainsey - Grant Clitsome/Paul Postma/Zach Redmond

The Jets defense was a sore spot for the Jets last season as their top plus/minus defenseman was Ron Hainsey at a meager +9 compared to Dustin Byfuglien at -8, Mark Stuart at -4, and Zach Bogosian at -3.

This season will be a transition season of sorts for the Jets blueline.

Firstly, Tobias Enstrom is starting his newly signed six-year deal.  Will it be worth it? Can he play stronger in his own zone?

Secondly, Zach Bogosian is in a contract year that pays him $2.5 million.  Can he come back healthy and play well?  Will he re-sign during the season or after the season?  Or will he test free agency?

Thirdly, can Dustin Byfuglien come into camp healthy and in shape?

Fourthly, will either Paul Postma or Zach Redmond put any of the defensemen already in the top six out of a job?

The answers to these questions will determine the success of the Jets defense and the clues that defensive coach Charlie Huddy will need to use to make his defense successful.

 

Ondrej Pavelec - Al Montoya

The biggest question this season is: Can Ondrej Pavelec be a legitimate number one goalie in the NHL?

Though his 2011-12 numbers were nothing worthy of any hardware or awards, Pavelec is the Jets best bet going into this season and apparently beyond because of a newly signed five-year deal, worth $3.9 million per year.

Is that worthy of a goalie who went 29-28-9 with a 2.91 goals against average and a .906 save percentage?

My biggest reaction to the contract was this: it is too long.

I not a huge fan of Pavelec.  Watching him last year, he was brilliant one game and the opposite of brilliant the next.  His inconsistency should be a major point of concern for Jets fans and management.

Not only are last year's numbers alarming - his off-season conduct in his native Czech Republic followed up by his terrible play in both the Czech league and the Finnish Elite League (went a combined 5-14-1 with a goals against average above 3.00) have me and should have other Jets fans concerned.

Can Pavelec come back healthy, in shape, and ready to improve on his 2011-12 season?

If not, the Jets improved when it comes to their backup goalie in signing Al Montoya.

Despite a subpar 2011-12, Montoya is a solid, experienced, though young goalie who can help Pavelec deal with the pressure of having to play 50-60 games per season.

 

In Conclusion...

The 2013 version of the Winnipeg Jets is much more reassuring than the 2011-12 team we had adopted from the Atlanta Thrashers.

There are upgrades in many areas of the team that will aid them in scoring and defense, but it will be the training camp battles - especially the ones involving Jets picks Mark Scheifele, Paul Postma, Zach Redmond, and possibly Jacob Trouba (who could turn some heads for the future).

Mix and match what you will on the Jets roster - I like the 2013 roster much better than the 2011-12 Jets.

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Al Montoya

Last Year's Ranking: N/A

This Year's Ranking: 14

Difference: N/A

A former first round pick, Al Montoya has never really blossomed into the goalie the New York Rangers thought he might be when they picked him sixth overall in 2004.

Now with his third NHL team, Montoya is a lock as the main backup to starter Ondrej Pavelec.  

His 57 games of NHL experience in net for the Phoenix Coyotes and New York Islanders puts him in the minority when it comes to backup goalies with bountiful experience to help a young goalie.

But for Winnipeg Jets management, it was not a concern as they signed the young goalie to 

In 52 games the past two seasons on Long Island, Montoya went 18-26-10 with a 2.75 goals against average and a .907 save percentage.

He looked poised to become the Islanders starter after a decent 9-5-5 record in 2010-11 with a 2.39 goals against average and a .921 save percentage.  But the arrival of Evgeni Nabokov in an Islanders jersey spelt a little trouble for the Chicago, Illinois product and he struggled in 2011-12 going 9-11-5 with a 3.11 goals against average and a .893 save percentage.

All in all, Montoya has shown good qualities as both a backup and a starter - but has shown that he can be effective with limited time - not when relied on to play night in and night out for 50+ games.

With Pavelec cemented into the number one slot in the Jets crease, Montoya would not have to see much more than 20-30 games in the season - depending on if the Jets limit Pavelec to less than 68 games as he played in 2011-12.

Jets management should be commended for this signing after losing Chris Mason to Nashville (despite other rumours he wanted to stay Winnipeg).

Montoya is a young (25) backup for a team that breeds young players and should be a good teammate for Pavelec to develop with.  

All in all, Jets fans should be more comfortable when Pavelec gets the night off this season with Montoya in net.

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Take it from a frustrated hockey fan who has season tickets - this season is a bust.

No kidding - you might reply - we'd be lucky to get in a 40 game season at this point.

Thing is, there are still those fans (myself included at certain times) that believe a season will happen in abbreviated form - but will happen nonetheless.

But as a hockey fan, this lockout has affected me differently than it did back in 2004-05.

Firstly, Winnipeg didn't have NHL hockey.  It was only a pipe-dream kept alive by the likes of Darren Ford at jetsowner.com and the regular rumblings that any team under financial duress was heading to the MTS Centre ASAP.

It was easier to go through the lockout because it didn't affect us - we still had the AHL and our beloved Manitoba Moose - who kept us busy and also made it to the Western Conference Finals.

We still had professional hockey in Winnipeg in 2004-05, this year we don't.

We still have our rinks in our backyards, but it seems that we aren't as lucky this time around - but still to be glad we have our NHL back.

Secondly, I wasn't a season ticket holder.

It isn't the peachiest of situations to be held out as a fan who witnessed the return of the Jets to Manitoba and then have the cord pulled from the socket the year after with little excuses to why it should happen.

It's not bitterness talking - it's a passion for the game that I want to be able to see live.  

And believe me the MTS Centre is the best building I've ever been in to watch any sport ever.

But thirdly, this lockout has really made no sense from either side.

Last time around, the fans came to a realization that our game was suffering and was sick and needed major surgery.

Out of those negotiations and a season lost came what we have now - a viable economic system that has worked thus far and has brought the NHL billions of dollars in revenue.

However, far be it from the NHL and NHLPA to fess up to being both stubborn, egg-headed, and extremely greedy.

Be it far from a season ticket holder to speak up about what happens with the money that is earned by the teams, paid to players from the fans that come to watch and support the teams and players.

I've heard it before and I still hear it - the fans are suffering the most.

Truth is, both sides can pay cheap lip service about how the fans are suffering and then turn around and argue and "negotiate" that their demands be met for more money.

Our game is broke again and the only way to fix it is for some humility, honesty, and common sense to reign supreme.

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Jim Slater

Last Year's Ranking: 16

This Year's Ranking: 15

Difference: +1

 

Jim Slater has climitized himself and his playing style very well into the Winnipeg hockey community with his grit and hard nosed play as the Jets face off specialist.

Not only a big play man in the face off circle, but also a very big penalty killer for the Jets and before that with the Atlanta Thrashers.

Slater's contributions to the Jets made him an easy fan favourite and also garnered him his best NHL season when it came to points (21) and goals (13).

For the only player remaining who has had playoff experience with the same franchise, Slater's stock has grown a great deal with the move to Winnipeg - taking on a large part of the Jets action in the community with Take Jim Slater To Work last year on Jets TV.

The S on the GST line last year will look to make a different kind of history in the future as a fourth liner.  Though Slater did play most of his time in a third line role due to the fact of a true third line in 2011-12, his grit and never say quit attitude contributed a large part to his 13 goals - including the electrifying game tying goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the final game of the season in the dying minutes.

Jim Slater is not only a fan favourite, but a Jets All Out favourite.

As a Jets fan, you should look forward to seeing Slater as he re-upped for three years at a very respectable $1.6 million per.

There's so much more Jim Slater to love.

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