On the Mark: He may not have the name recognition of other youngsters like Matthews, Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel -- but make no mistake, if the Jets are going to finally lift off (sorry, had to throw in the proverbial airplane reference), it will be on the shoulders of franchise center Mark Scheifele, who was a surprise pick of the Jets with the seventh-pick overall in 2011. No one is questioning that pick now after Scheifele's 82-point season. At just 24, he's become the go-to guy on the Jets roster, and for our money, is knocking on the door as a top-five pivot in the league.
Round and round the goaltending carousel goes: What do almost all of the Thrasher and Jets rosters have in common apart from never winning any games in April? Lousy goaltending and defense. Weird how the two go hand in hand. With Connor Hellebuyck unable to rise to the occasion as a starter last season, and the Jets finishing 27th in the league in goals allowed per game at a ghastly 3.11, the Jets' goalie carousel has stopped on Steve Mason. The former Rookie of the Year had his moments in Philadelphia, but simply not enough of them. Unless he's markedly better than he was last season, when he turned in a .908 save percentage behind a very young Flyers team, the Jets won't have to worry about bursting that playoff win bubble nextApril.
To trade, or not to trade:So, is Jacob Trouba staying or going? A year ago, the former ninth-overall pick in 2012 announced via his agent he'd asked to be traded out of Winnipeg. Ouch. But after much debate, and toing and froing, Trouba signed a two-year deal, which means the Jets will be in the same boat next summer in having to get the big right-handed shot defender under contract. Unless, of course, they figure it's better to move him. Either way, a watershed moment upcoming for Cheveldayoff.