As each NHL team is eliminated from playoff contention -- either mathematically or by losing in the postseason -- we'll take a look at why its quest for the Stanley Cup fell short in 2017-18, along with three keys to its offseason and a way-too-early prediction for what 2018-19 will hold.
What went wrong
They were one of the NHL's darling teams this season that seemingly could do no wrong. The Winnipeg Jets -- with a 27-point improvement over 2016-17 -- boasted top-end goaltending (thanks to surprise Vezina Trophy candidate Connor Hellebuyck), strong forward depth, a handful of elite scorers and an underrated defensive group.
They proved they could win tight, grind-it-out games, but could also score in bunches to blow other teams out. So what happened?
The Jets won a slugfest against the top-seeded Nashville Predators in the second round, and perhaps didn't have enough gas in the tank to close out the Vegas Golden Knights.
Really, there's not much to lament about this Jets season. Winnipeg arrived ahead of schedule and looks poised to contend for some time. The city of Winnipeg got a nice showcase too, in these playoffs, a hockey-crazed community that has a deserving team to rally around.
Keys to the offseason
1. Time to go steady with Connor Hellebuyck.
So yes, the Steve Mason addition last offseason (two years, average annual value of $4.1 million) may be among the worst free-agency signings this season. Or, look at it another way: The Mason addition lit a fire under Hellebuyck, leading the 25-year-old to get the confidence he needed that he's the No. 1 goaltender.
Hellebuyck proved just that with a stellar season that had him set the record for wins by an American goaltender, along with being a Vezina finalist. A team that has had a rotating cast of netminders finally found their man. Hellebuyck is a restricted free agent this summer. It's time to commit to the right guy.
2. Pay Patrik Laine!
Want to know the next mega contract that will set the bar for NHL clubs? That will be the sharp-shooting Laine, who is eligible to sign an extension on July 1. Laine should easily exceed the highest-paid forward on this team, Mark Scheifele (whose $6.125 million in AAV feels like a bargain).
On management's mind, of course: Blake Wheeler is due for a new deal in the summer of 2019. Laine should be looking for long term, and of course a high AAV. He's proven he's worth the cost, it just will need to be a bend of philosophy for management, which hasn't had to deal with a true superstar contract and has snuck some very good players in with manageable deals.
3. Take care of other RFAs
Jacob Trouba and Josh Morrissey are talented young defensemen who should be part of this team for a very long time. Joel Armia, Adam Lowry, Joe Morrow and Brandon Tanev are other RFAs that GM Kevin Cheveldayoff would surely like to keep. That means he'll have to make tough decisions on aging veterans. Paul Stastny was probably the best trade-deadline rental since Marian Gaborik to the Los Angeles Kings in 2014. Stastny recorded 10 goals and 18 assists in 36 games for the Jets (including playoffs) and looked like a natural fit as Laine's center on the second line. The 32-year-old would be a great fit if he's willing to stay, but he'll have to accept a short term and a pay cut from the $3.5 million he earned this season.
Meanwhile, Toby Enstrom is still a capable and talented defender -- when healthy. But the 33-year-old was limited to 43 games this regular season due to injuries. The Atlanta Thrashers holdover would need to take a much reduced rate to stay (his current hit: $5.75 million) and management might find that might not be worth it -- especially considering how much cap space they'll have to allocate to the younger RFAs.
Realistic expectation for 2018-19
There's no shame to bowing out to the reigning Western Conference finalists in the second round. The Jets have all of the ingredients to be good next season -- and for many seasons after that -- and now have valuable playoff experience under their belt.
It will be a busy summer for management, balancing the potential Laine extension with RFA deals for a handful of important players including Hellebuyck, Lowry, Morrissey, Tanev and Trouba.
Should the bulk of this team stay intact, there's no reason the Jets can't contend for the Central Division title once again -- and make the next step when they get to the playoffs.