Nashville Predators Central Division Preview: Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets have been the Nashville Predators biggest foe, can they finally overcome their kryptonite?

The Winnipeg Jets are coming off a 99 point season where they finished second in the Central Division, right behind the Nashville Predators.

The Jets have been a physically dominating team over the past few seasons but many question marks surround this team to begin the 2019-2020 season.

Some key losses, some key additions, and a couple Restricted Free Agent’s headline this Jets preview. Let’s break it down:

Key Losses:

The Jets go into the 2019-2020 season with seemingly less firepower than the previous two seasons. Three key defensemen, Jacob Trouba, Tyler Myers and Ben Chiarotwere all lost this offseason.

Additionally, on the defensive side, Dustin Byfuglien was recently granted a leave of absence. These four defensemen accounted for 132 points collectively and were all key parts to the Jets’ success.

On the offensive side, Brandon Tanev signed with the Pittsburg Penguins and is looking at a potential second-line role.

Trade deadline acquisition Kevin Hayes also departed, signing with the Philadelphia Flyers leaving Jets fans wondering who is going to step up as the new second-line center.

Key Additions:

During the offseason the Jets signed two defenseman, former Predator, Anthony Bitetto (3 points NSH/MIN), and Neal Pionk (26 points NYR).

They also signed three forwards Mark Letestu (0 points in 2 games CBJ), Andrei Chibisov (20 points in the KHL), and another former Predator Gabriel Bourque (8 points COL).

Without gunning for any big-name free agents, it’s obvious that the Jets current focus is on signing RFA’s Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine.

Restricted Free Agents:

The Jets’ success may revolve around signing two guys, Kyle Connor, and Patrik Laine. Its already September and no deals are in place so let’s break down the possibilities.

Kyle Connor:

He is only 22 with 65 goals the last two seasons and is a solid top-six guy on any team’s roster. The recent rumors circulating are that Connor is in the ballpark of 6 years 8.5 million AAV.

If the Jets offer Connor the 8.5 million that leaves them very little wiggle room to sign Laine, so it is now crucial that the Jets make a decision between the two players.

Patrik Laine:

The #2 draft pick in 2016 had a monstrous first two seasons with 134 points in just 155 games.

However, Laine regressed a little in his third year with 50 points in 82 games. In 2018-2019 Laine scored 30 goals, which was, is the lowest in his career, making contract talks more difficult for both sides.

A deal still has not been done prompting Laine to train with SC Bern in Switzerland this week.

Of course, without a deal in place, trade rumors are heavily circulating around Laine.

My prediction:

Connor signs in for 6 years 8.5 million AAV and Laine gets traded. The defensive corps is the weakest link of the Jets right now and adding some depth by trading Laine may be their best move.

How the Predators Match Up:

As always, this rivalry is about as physical as it gets and the Jets seem to have held an upper hand. The Jets were 3-1 against the Predators last season but expect a change this year.

Without the brute force of Dustin Byfuglien, the lack of defensive depth, and the unknown variables of Connor and Laine, the Predators seemingly have the advantage in the 2019-2020 season.

Can The Preds Dethrone The Blues?. dark. Next

Expect big things from the JOFA line as well as the Predators newest star, Matt Duchene.

Matchups:

11/19 at Nashville

1/12 at Winnipeg

2/4 at Winnipeg

3/24 at Nashville

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