The Winnipeg Jets looked like they had cost themselves an ideal position in the NHL Draft when they won four straight games to finish the season. However, they came out as winners after they took the second pick of the NHL Draft lottery. They now have the opportunity to draft a player that could become the face of the franchise in the years.
The Buffalo Sabres, the team that had the second pick of last year’s draft, selected Jack Eichel, and he has so far been a great selection for Buffalo. Here is a group of players that the Jets could draft to follow suit on Buffalo’s status.
Patrik Laine
Auston Matthews will very likely be on the Toronto Maple Leafs, so the Jets will have to look elsewhere. Why not go to Finland?
In the event that the Jets are unable to pick Matthews, Laine figures to be the most likely candidate for their team. He put on a show in Finland’s first game of the IIHF World Championship against Belarus, scoring two goals and nearly completing the hat trick in style. It helps to have Aleksander Barkov and Jussi Jokinen working with him, and it would be no surprise if the Florida Panthers tried to trade up and created the all-Finnish line.
Laine could still become an instant success in Winnipeg. With Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele getting points at will late last season, Laine could jump in on the scoring parade and create a first line that few Central division teams will be able to stop.
Also, expect Laine’s fearsome slap shot to rival that of veteran and potential teammate Dustin Byfuglien.
Jesse Puljujarvi
With Matthews and Laine being the two strongest prospects, most mock drafts have Puljujarvi, another Finn, going to Columbus with the third pick. Could the Jets possibly go with this Finn over Laine? Considering he is built similar to fellow Finn Aleksander Barkov, the Jets may find him as an attractive option. Barkov is currently 25 pounds heavier, but they are both the same height (a tall 6’3’’) and Puljujarvi has plenty of time to pack on a few more pounds.
Puljujarvi has been considered an all-around hockey player, comparable to Mike Trout in baseball. His size makes him able to be very physical, but he also has excellent stick handling skills. The most important strength, however, is his speed and play without the puck, which is something that many players that have not excelled in the NHL have struggled with (Nail Yakupov, anyone?).
If scouts have an accurate report on him, then Puljujarvi can put up Jamie Benn or even Alex Ovechkin-like numbers. That would be vital for any of the top three teams, although the Jets are the least desperate of the bunch because of Scheifele’s recent breakout.
Jakob Chychrun
Connor Hellebuyck showed a lot of potential to become the main starter for the Jets next season. It would be extremely helpful if he could have two towers in front of him during the game.
Not that those types of defensemen do not exist in Winnipeg. Dustin Byfuglien is a 6’5”, 265-pound monster truck, while Tyler Myers is a massive 6’8”. It is also worth mentioning that Jacob Trouba and Ben Chiarot should get some more looks next season.
While the defense is average on both ends (mostly through Byfuglien, who had 19 goals and 34 assists), the Jets could greatly improve the blue line with Chychrun. He had 11 goals and 38 assists with the Sarnia Sting last season, and he also has an enforcer streak comparable to Byfuglien. Adding Chychrun could create the dominant group of giants, while Myers, Chiarot, and Trouba can round out a very deep defense unit that can carry the Jets back into the playoffs.
Auston Matthews
Edmonton wisely chose Connor McDavid last year, but Jack Eichel would have been a good choice, too. So it is not out of the equation for Toronto to pick someone other than Matthews. If such a move happens, the Jets can steal the supposed #1 pick. He spent last season in Switzerland, and he should make an impact in the NHL immediately.