The Winnipeg Jets are down to Patrice Cormier (45) days until their 1st game of the 2024-25 season. After the news of the McGroarty trade broke a few days ago, I’m back to bring you part 2 of 3 of this mini series. In part 1, I covered the ideal defence pairings that the Jets should use on opening night against the Edmonton Oilers, and tonight we’re looking at the forwards. Part 3 will look at the goalies, but since there’s obviously no such thing as “goalie lines”, it will breakdown how the Jets should share the crease with their available goalies throughout the season.

As I mentioned in part 1, it’s important to remember that the lineup will change as the season goes on, and that’s especially true when it comes to combinations for the forward lines. When it comes to deciding the best forward pairings for opening night, the task is a bit more difficult than picking the 3 defence pairings, for various reasons. The Jets have some options and depth pieces at forward, but I decided to go fairly safe with my picks as to how the Jets will line up at forward on October 9th. Here are the 12 forwards, listed in lines (pairings) 1-4, with some honorable mentions for extra forwards mentioned at the end.

Starting from the top, with the Jets’ number 1 line, featuring a trio that played together well most of the time last season. Connor will be looking for a 2nd 40 goal season, Scheifele will be looking to continue at his near point-per-game pace, and Vilardi will be looking to build off a very solid, injury shortened 1st season with the Jets. I believe that this line combination will remain the top line throughout the season, and as the chemistry builds they will all help improve each other’s games. I really don’t see too many flaws with this line, and you have a bit of everything from these 3 that should lead to success on the scoresheet on a nightly basis.

Just like when I talked about the defence, the 1st line is pretty set, but the 2nd line is where things get interesting. Despite trade rumours, Ehlers will be a Jet for at least this season, and I have a sense that the Jets will try their best to re-sign him when the time comes. Ehlers consistency has been unmatched, and after a near career year last year, he’ll be perfect as the 2nd line winger during his contract expiring year. As for Namestnikov, I’m still not 100% convinced that he will be the guy centering line 2 throughout the year, but I think he will show enough during training camp to win this spot for at least the 1st part of the season. I want to see the Jets give Lambert a chance at line 2 centre, but Namestnikov will likely get the 1st chance at this spot. As for Perfetti, he’s established himself in the league now, and coming off a new contract extention (coming soon I hope), he’ll be eager to take another big step in his development.

I feel like I don’t need to say much about this one, the nicknamed “LAN line” is surely the right forward trio for line 3. The chemistry displayed between these 3 are what allowed them to be successful, as well as helped them remain a line combination that remained pretty much unchanged throughout the season. You have the shifty Swiss winger in Nino, the tall and talented Canadian in Lowry, and someone who always seems to understand his role in Appleton. The chemistry will only improve with this line this upcoming season, and it will be interesting to see how they push each other to reach new career highs.

Like most line 4’s around the NHL, this one is a bit of a toss up as to who the 3 players could possibly be. Teams always have the option to use younger players on the bottom line, but depending on the player’s playstyle, it’s not always the right move in terms of helping their development. What made me select these 3 players is that they each excel in understanding their role as a bottom 6 forward. Certain defensive skills can be taught to your bottom 6, but other skills are built through a specific mindset that comes with understanding what you need to do for your team. The scoring isn’t what’s most important for this line, but rather it’s the chemistry. Barron, Gustafsson and Iafallo appear to be the right trio for opening night.

As for extra forwards, the Jets have some options. From prospects, to two-way specialists, to veterans, the Jets have different types of players to fill in or replace any given forward in the Jets lineup. Brad Lambert is the easiest and most obvious choice for me to say that he will get some game action with the Jets this season, preferably in the top 6. Jaret Anderson-Dolan and Axel Jonsson Fjallby would be solid bottom 6 replacements, as they’re the type of players that are built for a certain defensive role. Nikita Chibrikov, Rasmus Kupari and Mason Shaw are other names that I could see enter the Jets lineup at some point this season.

Overall, the Jets have a very solid forward group if everyone plays to their expectations. The departures of Tyler Toffoli and Sean Monahan will hurt the Jets offence, but there’s players throughout the lineup looking to take a step up this upcoming season. I’m looking forward to seeing how Scott Arniel switches up the forward lines in his 1st year as head coach, as he may end up discovering a combination that works as well as the existing chemistry with the “LAN” line. Jets fans are still waiting for that Cole Perfetti contract extension, but other than that, the hype for the hockey season is starting to get real.