Training Camp Notebook: Analyzing the Jets opening night roster

Forwards 

• The first line is no surprise. Ehlers-Scheifele-Wheeler were a consistent and effective trio last year, no reason to break the Jets top line up. 
• Having Mathieu Perreault as the third line centre is a much better move than having Adam Lowry as the team’s third line centre. The Jets third line this year could emerge in to a 2b line of sorts.
• This season’s fourth line is the best the Winnipeg Jets have ever had. Even if Chris Thorburn ends up in the lineup more than Jets fans would like, Paul Maurice has many ingredients to create an effective and useful fourth unit. 
• Where’s Andrew Copp? Copp played 77 games with the Jets last season which even included 4 points in his final 5 games. With the increased competition at this year’s training camp, it’s not a total shock that Copp’s the odd man out this year, but I personally thought his penalty killing and face-off ability would win him a spot even as an extra forward. 

Defence 

• Josh Morrissey is going to have ample opportunity in his first NHL season if he lines up beside Dustin Byfuglien. Morrissey will be taken advantage of what Jacob Trouba isn’t right now as he skates beside Byfuglien on the top pairing. 
• The Enstrom and Myers pairing will likely gel quite nicely for the time being. Myers can join the rush offensively if he pleases knowing Enstrom will stay behind and play conservative defense. 
• While I think Ben Chiarot should be in the lineup over Mark Stuart, I doubt that will actually happen. With that being said, seeing Paul Postma finally get a chance with the Jets is much deserved. 

Goaltending

• It’s a new era in Winnipeg. 23 year-old Connor Hellebuyck and 26 year-old Michael Hutchinson will be between the pipes for the Jets this season. 
• I’d expect Hellebuyck, ( who had the best 5 on 5 Save percentage last season) to eventually become the starter and Hutchinson to take about 35% of the starts.