Though their most exciting season of NHL hockey may have come to a disappointing end, Jets fans still have many things to look forward to. Although many people viewed this team as playoff-bound entering the season, 52 wins and a conference finals appearance later and the Winnipeg Jets are now viewed as one of the league’s juggernauts.
With an average age of 26.8 years old, the Jets boasted the tenth youngest team in the NHL this season. Of the 18 players who suited up for that heart-wrenching Game 5 loss to the Golden Knights, ten were drafted by the organization. While General Manager Kevin Chevaldayoff’s draft and develop formula has been well documented, it has been his ability to build around the core that already existed when the team arrived from Atlanta that has been most impressive.
Veterans like Dustin Byfuglien and Blake Wheeler now have the luxury of playing with six young stars under the age of 26: Mark Scheifele, Patrik Laine, Nikolaj Ehlers, Jacob Trouba, Josh Morrissey, and Kyle Connor. Now Chevaldayoff will face the task of drafting complementary pieces around these stars, to assure that the team has depth players to turn to when the salary cap forces them to let some of those pieces go.
The following list contains those whom I believe to be the Jets’ top five prospects—and before anyone asks, Jack Roslovic is not on it. While he’ll still be a rookie heading into next season, the 22-year-old has already established himself as a solid NHL player and has, in my opinion, graduated from the prospect label.
5. Tucker Poolman. Likely the most recognizable name on this list, the 24-year-old suited up 24 times for the Jets this season, scoring a goal and adding an assist. A University of North Dakota product, he amassed 30 points in 38 games in his final year in college, though his numbers may have been inflated from playing with Brock Boeser and Tyson Jost. He challenged for a spot on the Jets’ defensive core this season, but ultimately he spent most of his time in the press box. This may have been a good thing for the young defenseman, who was entering the season off a shoulder surgery. Expect the Jets to re-sign him. As a right-hander, he could be a viable option on the third pairing next season, should the Jets be forced to let someone go this offseason.
4. Mason Appleton. He led the Manitoba Moose in scoring this season and was far and away their best player. In his first pro-season, the 22-year-old Michigan State product put up 66 points in 76 games, being named to the All-AHL first team. He was also the AHL rookie of the year and led all rookies in points. He possesses great skill and uses his speed and vision to his advantage. A sixth-round pick in 2015, Appleton has all the skills necessary to succeed at the NHL level.
3. Sami Niku. Much like his Moose teammate Appleton, Niku had himself an incredible rookie season on North American ice. The 21-year-old scored 54 points in 76 games, receiving the Eddie Shore Award (awarded to the league’s best defenseman) while also being named to the All-AHL first team. Whether he challenges for a spot in the big club next season remains to be seen, but his offensive ability and great breakout pass could be a perfect replacement for Toby Enstrom. A seventh-round pick, the Finnish product may also prove to be a steal when it’s all said and done. He scored in his only game with the Jets this season.
2. Brendan Lemieux. The only player not drafted by the Jets on this list, Brendan is the son of former agitator and Stanley Cup winner Claude Lemieux—and he reminds many people of his father. The 22-year-old agitator scored 19 times for the Moose this season, amassing 43 points in 51 games. He also had a total of 170 penalty minutes. A quick skater with a nose for the net, Lemieux could grab a spot on the third or fourth line next season, should the Jets decide to let players such as Matt Hendricks and Shawn Matthias walk. He was acquired as part of the deal that saw the infamous Evander Kane leave for Buffalo.
1. Kristian Vesalainen. The Jets’ first round pick last year took a humongous step forward in Finland this season as he scored 43 points in 49 games and eventually helped lead the Oulun Karpat to a championship, scoring nine points in 18 games as a rookie in the Finnish men’s league. The twenty-fourth overall pick could find himself playing for the Moose next season, but seeing as he’s only 18, the Jets should be in no rush to bring Vesalainen to North America. But an adjustment to the North American game may be necessary before the phenom makes his way to the big club.
No matter how you slice it, Winnipeg’s got some big talent waiting in the wings.
