Jets’ 2019-20 Projected Lineup

With the NHL preseason just over a month away and the Winnipeg Jets’ roster having all but taken shape, let’s take a look at their 2019-20 projected lineup. Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor will sign eventually; it is a question of when, not if, and I don’t see the Jets adding another defenseman to the starting lineup, at least not right away.

With that said, the Jets have a lot of wiggle room with line combinations; many forwards on their roster can play multiple positions, which is a nice problem to have. The defense will have a new look this season with the departures of Jacob Trouba, Tyler Myers and Ben Chiarot. Goaltending will be the only thing with the same look as last year, barring any injuries.

Let’s get started and predict what the Jets’ opening night roster could look like when they visit the New York Rangers on Oct. 3, 2019.

Forward Line One – Connor, Scheifele, Wheeler

I think the Jets keep this line intact heading into the 2019-20 season. They have always performed well together and are a scoring threat every time they’re on the ice. The only way I can see this line being any different is if the Jets give Laine or Nikolaj Ehlers a shot on the top line to open the season, or if they move Wheeler to second-line centre. Switching the left-winger is way more likely, as I don’t see the Jets moving Wheeler to the second-line centre spot.

I, personally, like the idea of moving Wheeler. It will give the Jets a solid one-two punch up the middle and they have an abundance of talented wingers who could take Wheeler’s spot on the top line. However, as I mentioned earlier, I don’t see Paul Maurice and the Jets doing this.

Scheifele and Wheeler are locked-in to start on this line, with Connor being highly probable. Look for an 81-55-26 first line on opening night.

Forward Line Two – Ehlers, Little, Laine

This is another line I don’t see having much change for the Jets. I think we will very likely see Bryan Little centering this line again to start the season. Ehlers and Laine will both get opportunities on the top line throughout training camp and preseason, but I don’t see either sticking there permanently. If, and that’s a big if, the Jets were to move Wheeler to second-line centre and Little to third-line centre — thus opening up a top-six winger spot — I could see someone like Kristian Vesalainen or Jack Roslovic moving onto this line.

I don’t get excited when I see this line combination. I think it has been worn out over the past two seasons and they have gone on way too many cold stretches during that time. I think Little needs to get dropped into the third-line centre spot, to allow the Jets’ second line to become re-energized. I’m also not sold on Little being the best fit for Laine to have a bounce-back season. With that said, Maurice isn’t known for making exuberant line changes, so look for a 27-18-29 second line on opening night.

Forward Line Three – Perreault, Roslovic, Vesalainen

This is where things really start to get interesting. The Jets have some question marks in their bottom-six forward group and could go about line combos in many different ways. I think this combination gives them a good mix of skill and experience. The Jets know what they’re going to get out of Mathieu Perreault, but can Roslovic and Vesalainen step up and perform in the top-nine forward group?

I think we see Roslovic progress this season. He has been bounced around a lot over the past two seasons and I really think this is the year we see him settle down into a more prominent role within the line combos. Look for him to lock down the third-line centre (or right-wing) spot this season, with time on the second power play unit.

In my opinion, Vesalainen will make the opening night roster for the second straight season. He could very well get a look in the top-six forward group, but I think he starts the season on the third line, instead. He will bring size and skill to go with Perreault’s relentless work-ethic and Roslovic’s speed. We could see a lot of good things from this line combo to start the season. They have the ability to wear-down defenders while also having the talent to score on any given shift. The biggest question mark for this line will be their defensive zone reliability.

With all that said, look for an 85-28-93 third line on opening night.

Forward Line Four – Copp, Lowry, Appleton

I really like the potential of this line. Lots of people have been comparing Mason Appleton to Brandon Tanev, saying he will have a similar effect on a line with Adam Lowry and Andrew Copp. I must agree, they will bring a lot of energy to the Jets’ lineup like they did last year with Tanev on their line and I feel Appleton will give more offensive upside than Tanev did.

Take this bottom-six group with a grain of salt; this line could be listed as the third line on opening night instead, with Perreault, Roslovic, and Vesalainen dropping to the fourth line. If you want to rank lines by their minutes played, I see Copp, Lowry, and Appleton getting more minutes than Perreault, Roslovic, and Vesalainen.

I think the Jets are still a playoff team and as we all know so well; once you make the playoffs anything can happen.