The Winnipeg Jets have made one appearance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since relocating from Atlanta in 2011. Their fans in a passionate Canadian market want more.
The Jets' struggles since making the playoffs in 2015 have placed increased scrutiny on goaltending, defense and discipline, all issues that have received attention in the offseason.
1. Can the Jets figure out a better defensive game?
The Jets allowed 255 goals last season, fourth-most in the NHL. That was up from 236 goals against in 2015-16, which was ninth-most. In 2014-15, they allowed a franchise-best 204 goals, which ranked 10th.
Winnipeg must improve defensively to get back to the playoffs; penalty-killing in particular has plagued the Jets.
A 77.5-percent penalty kill, 26th last season, was no small vulnerability. The Jets allowed 62 power-play goals, third highest in the League. They were shorthanded 275 times, also the third highest.
Coach Paul Maurice, entering his fourth full season with the Jets, must find a better way to get a better defensive commitment, even if it costs Winnipeg a little offense.
2. Will free agent Steve Mason stabilize the Jets goaltending?
The combination of goalies Connor Hellebuyck, Michael Hutchinson and Ondrej Pavelec had streaks of inconsistency that were too long last season, and the sum of their work produced the NHL's third-lowest save percentage (.900).
That number is not all goaltending because of the Jets' defensive issues, but Mason brings nine seasons of NHL experience, including his Calder Trophy season of 2008-09 with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He'll also have the important role of mentoring Hellebuyck, 24, who is still seen as the starter of the future despite going 39-30-5 with a 2.71 goals-against average and .910 save percentage in 82 appearances (79 starts).
3. Can Patrik Laine improve on an impressive rookie season?
The 19-year-old right wing scored 36 goals with a quick release and a hard, accurate shot.
His 64 points in 73 games put him second in the rookie scoring race to Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, the Calder Trophy winner (69 points in 82 games), though Laine had more points per game played (0.88 per game to Matthews' 0.84). A little more physical maturity and having been through the League for one season would suggest Laine may be better equipped for more impact.
Boosted by Laine's nine power-play goals, the Jets scored 48 on the man-advantage compared to 38 in 2014-15, and rose from last in the League (14.8 percent) to 18th (18.2 percent).
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