Team: 2019-20 Winnipeg Jets

Initial Creation Date: Sep. 21, 2019

Published: Sep. 21, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

This is my projected lineup for when the regular season starts.

I'm going off of a number of things I have seen in preseason so far. I know it's a little early, but by the middle of next week we will have a good understanding of what the lineup is really gonna look like.

Obviously this scenario includes Buff being back by opening night and Laine and Connor signing as well.

At this point in time, Andrew Copp has become my favourite player on the team. I think hes also our most underrated player. From what I've seen this year I honestly think he has the potential to become a legit top 6 forward. I think people forget that in college he was putting up real good scoring numbers. I think that he's improved a lot since last season and I see him getting a good look at 2c sometime throughout the year.

If helly has a good year and the blue line doesn't suffer any huge injuries to buff or JoMo they could fight for 4th in the central. I just don't see them with this lineup finishing below 5th.

A couple of notes I have from preseason are:

Vesalainen: I think he could really use some more time in the AHL, he doesn't look very confident with the puck and I think playing with the Moose would really benefit him.

Gustafsson: This guy is shaping up to be a real nice player. To me he looks as if hes going to be the next Lowry. I see him pushing for a spot next year and taking a full time role in 2 years when Lowry walks as a UFA.

Ehlers: He really put work in this offseason, all the small details have improved and it really shows. He played really good last night.

Niku: I know he didn't play vs St. Louis but I thought I'd touch on him. I know everyone is scared to give him top pairing minutes, but hes gonna get those minutes anyways if he plays with Buff. Lets be real, the top 2 pairings easily could be interchangeable. If Niku plays with Buff, Pionk plays with Morrissey and they'd both probably play around the same amount. At least when you put Niku with JoMo he gets to play on his preferred side.

Perreault: I honestly wasn't a fan of him at all, and he just disappoints me more and more every game. The guy takes way too many stupid penalties. I get hes a veteran presence and can play up and down the lineup but I just think the jets would be better off trading him. Chibisov would jump up to his spot and Letestu steps onto the 4th line.

Stanley: He definitely needs another year at least in the AHL, his foot speed has improved but he's got to get better handling and moving the puck.

Heinola: The guy looked real good but his lack of size showed. He got pushed around in the corners quite a bit. He will most likely get his 9 games and then go to Finland. He just needs to gain some more muscle. I see him being NHL ready next year.

Spacek: He's quite a shifty player. I like his game but he needs more time in the AHL.

Letestu: He's been consistent, he's a little slow for my liking but he could really help out our PK. If anyone gets injured I expect him to step in. To me he's basically another Matt Hendricks.

Bourque: Another PB guy, good veteran presence and could also step-in when injuries occur.

Lowry: Good old consistent shutdown guy. You know what to expect from him each and every game.

Pionk: He looked once again solid. He can really handle himself well and move the puck. Only issue for him is that I'd love to see the jets give Niku an extended look with JoMo and unless Pionk switches to the left side he'll be pushed down to 3rd pairing. I don't know if Jets will give Niku the 1st pairing look so expect to see Pionk with JoMo.

Beaulieu: He'll most likely be the 7th guy if Heinola sticks around for his 9 games. If buff isn't ready to go before Heinola goes to Finland, Beaulieu will step-in and play with Poolman till buff is back.


D Pairings till buff is back:

Morrissey-Niku
Kulikov-Pionk
Beaulieu/Heinola(9games)-Poolman

PB: Bitetto

EDIT: After some thinking, I honestly think the Jets would be better off putting Niku on 2nd pairing with buff and using Pionk with JoMo. If we don't we're gonna be underutilizing him like we did with Hayes last year.