Since returning to the NHL in 2011, the Winnipeg Jets have experienced a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows. Their most significant success came in 2018 when they reached the Western Conference Final. However, continued success was difficult. After a frustrating 2022-23 season and another first-round exit in the 2024 Playoffs, the Jets are hoping to turn things around this season.
With new leadership and a revamped roster, fans should be eager to see if this year can be a breakthrough for the Jets. It can happen if everything goes well. Here are the five best scenarios for the Jets in the 2024-25 season.
First Best-Case Scenario: Hellebuyck Takes Vezina Form and Dominates the Playoffs
Connor Hellebuyck has been a cornerstone of the Jets defense for years. His regular season performances are often very good. However, his recent form has not met his regular season standards. In a best-case scenario, Hellebuyck maintains his regular-season standards—posting a save percentage over .920 and challenging for another Vezina Trophy. The team may not be caught if they can’t make it to the postseason.
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If Hellebuyck can stay mentally and physically sharp in the playoffs, avoiding the concussions that have plagued him in the team’s recent postseason trips, he could be the backbone the Jets need to make a deep run.
Best-Case Scenario Two: Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor Reach New Offensive Areas
Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor are the offensive heart of the Jets. Scheifele has been a model of consistency, and Connor is the very definition of a low-key NHL scorer. In a fantasy scenario, both players take their games to the next level in 2024-25. Scheifele signed a long-term extension last year. Can he surpass his career high in points when Connor scores 40-plus goals for the first time?
If these two can step up their game, Winnipeg will have the offensive firepower needed to compete with the heavyweights in the Central Division.
Best Third Place: Gabriel Vilardi and Cole Perfetti Break Out
The Jets’ depth has been a question mark. However, this season offers a great opportunity for two young players to shine: Gabriel Vilardi and Cole Perfetti. Vilardi showed brilliance last season, but injuries hampered his progress. In the best case, he stays healthy and reaches the 60 point mark. It could help give the Jets some much-needed secondary scoring.
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Perfetti, who enters the season on a new contract, is coming off a 25-goal campaign and is establishing himself as a reliable six-man striker. If both of these players can reach their potential, the Jets could boast one of the most dangerous forward teams in the NHL.
Best-Case Scenario Four: Defense Holds Strong Despite Loss
Losing experienced defensemen like Brenden Dillon and Nate Schmidt could have left a hole on the Jets’ blue line, but in the best case scenario, the team’s defense is stepping up to the plate. Josh Morrissey continues to build on his elite game. He’s solidifying his role as one of the NHL’s best defensemen, while Dylan Samberg and Dylan DeMelo play more important roles without missing a beat.
New signings like Haydn Fleury and Dylan Coghlan are finding their footing quickly, and youngsters like Elias Salomonsson are making an impact when given opportunities. If Winnipeg’s defense can stay organized and compact, as they did for most of last season, the Jets will be tough to beat.
Best-Case Scenario Five: Scott Arniel Pushes the Right Buttons
Rick Bowness’ tenure as head coach brought mixed results. Now, his successor, Scott Arniel, can put his stamp on the team. As a former coach, Arniel knows the lineup inside and out. In a best-case scenario, he can run a system that maximizes the Jets’ defensive structure while freeing up their offensive power. His ability to combine analytics with traditional coaching could give Winnipeg a competitive edge, especially in close games and high-pressure playoff situations.
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If Arniel can successfully guide the Jets through the tough Central Division, he could be the difference maker in their quest for playoff success.
What’s Next for the Jets?
The Jets enter the 2024-25 season at a crossroads. They are committed to a future built around cornerstone players like Scheifele, Connor, and Hellebuyck. However, they are also looking at the young up-and-coming talents of Vilardi and Perfetti. Their defense, led by Morrissey, remains solid. However, the depth of the green line will be tested following a significant move. Perhaps the most important question is whether new coach Arniel can lead the team to a deep playoff run.
The best-case scenarios outlined above give Jets fans tons of reasons to be optimistic. If everything falls into place—from the resurgence of Hellebuyck’s scoring to breakout seasons from key players—Winnipeg can successfully compete in the tough Western Conference. But as always in the NHL, nothing is guaranteed. For now, like every other team in the NHL, the Jets have to take it one game at a time. Their fans will be hoping that 2024-25 will be the season they finally make their mark as serious Stanley Cup contenders. However, everything must be put in place and woman’s luck must smile on the prairies of Manitoba.
Can the Jets rise to the occasion, or will they continue to struggle to meet expectations? Only time will tell, but the potential for greatness is certainly there.
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