theScore is previewing each team leading up to the 2016-17 season.
Renewed optimism should be the theme for the Winnipeg Jets, who return this season with a prize to show for the disappointment of missing the playoffs - the ultra-talented No. 2 overall draft pick Patrik Laine.
But impact players are littered throughout the Jets' depth chart, even with Jacob Trouba deciding he doesn't want to be one of them.
Here's how the Jets stack up for this season:
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
| Nikolaj Ehlers | Mark Scheifele | Blake Wheeler |
| Drew Stafford | Bryan Little | Patrik Laine |
| Kyle Connor | Mathieu Perreault | Alex Burmistrov |
| Shawn Matthias | Adam Lowry | Joel Armia |
| Chris Thorburn | Andrew Copp | Marko Dano |
| Nic Petan | Anthony Peluso | |
| Brendan Lemieux |
- With Laine in the fold, the top-six looks set, but decisions remain with regards to Paul Maurice's support fleet. Connor has to be considered the biggest question mark, but has provided every indication that he's ready to contribute, scoring in his first three preseason games.
| LD | RD |
|---|---|
| Tobias Enstrom | Dustin Byfuglien |
| Ben Chiarot | Tyler Myers |
| Mark Stuart | Paul Postma |
| Brian Strait | |
| Josh Morrissey |
- It's obviously a group that looks substantially different without Trouba. Fans would certainly like to see former first-rounder Morrissey at the next level, but his task is usurping a veteran on a one-way deal.
| G |
|---|
| Ondrej Pavelec |
| Michael Hutchinson |
| Connor Hellebuyck |
- Perhaps the most intriguing storyline in camp, Jets' netminders could be deployed in inverse order of their capabilities. Pavelec has one season left on his deal, while Hellebuyck's the heir apparent with minor-league options.
NHL Depth Charts
ANA | ARI | BOS | BUF | CGY
CAR | CHI | COL | CBJ | DAL
DET | EDM | FLA | LA | MIN
MTL | NSH | NJD | NYI | NYR
PHI | PIT | OTT | STL | SJ
TB | TOR | VAN | WSH | WPG
