Season expectations for the 2024-25 NHL season. It’s that time of year again as the calendar flips over into October where hockey officially feels back again. I don’t know how to best describe it, but as the last few preseason games wrap up, hockey season is officially upon us all.

The NHL season does actually *technically* begin today, with the New Jersey Devils and the Buffalo Sabres playing the 1st NHL regular season game in Prague, Czechia this morning. The rest of the NHL begins the regular season on October 8th, and the Jets will play their 1st game against the Edmonton Oilers on October 9th. Today also marks the official worldwide launch of EA Sports’ NHL 25 hockey video game, so if you’re an NHL gamer like myself, get online today and enjoy the new game.

Fresh off a 5-2 win at home over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday, the Jets travel to Calgary to play their 6th and final preseason game. The Jets are going with a fully NHL experienced lineup tonight (see our previous article for full details), which includes the focus for today: the top 4 defencemen. Josh Morrissey, Dylan DeMelo, Dylan Samberg and Neal Pionk are 99.99% locked in as the Jets top 4 defence this year, and each of them have their own set of expectations for the 2024-25 NHL season.

The 29-year old from Calgary, Alberta enters the 2024-25 season following a very slight down year compared to his Norris calibre breakout season in 2022-23. Morrissey ranked 8th in the NHL for defence in points in 2023-24 with 69 points in 81 games. Morrissey remains easily the Jets #1 defenceman, and the expectation for the 2024-25 season is that he continues his Norris calibre play on both ends of the ice. As a predominantly offensive defenceman, Morrissey will be able to continue to produce at a constant rate thanks to his defensive defenceman partner, Dylan DeMelo. Morrissey will be on the Jets 1st powerplay again this year, and with the fire power trio of Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele and Gabe Vilardi, Morrissey could be racking up the points on the powerplay. A 15 goal, 70+ point season is on the way for Morrissey if all goes well this year.

The 31-year old from London, Ontario is fresh off a 4 year contract extension as he enters his 6th season with the Jets. Last season, DeMelo reached a career high in points, with 31 in 82 games. DeMelo’s job is simple, be the number 1 defensive defenceman on this Jets team, and let Morrissey work his magic in the offensive zone. You won’t see DeMelo score hardly any goals or make those flashy plays, but what he does so well are the little things that go unnoticed most nights. It took a few years for DeMelo to really get appreciated for the hard work he puts in on a nightly basis, but now he’s seen as a very important piece of the Jets blueline. I’m expecting DeMelo to build on his great 2023-24 season, producing a 30+ point season again, all while being the defensive wall that will help protect Hellebuyck from facing 40+ shots a night.

The 25-year old from Saginaw, Minnesota enters the 2024-25 season with probably the most elevated expectations of the top 4 defencemen. This upcoming season could be the true “breakout” season for the Jets 2nd round pick from the 2017 NHL draft. Last season was a big step in the right direction, as Samberg put up a career high in points with 18. Similarly to DeMelo, Samberg will serve as the “defensive guy” in his defence pairing with Neal Pionk. Samberg’s game is a bit more adapted to the “new age” defenceman, but you’ll still see him in flashes play a very solid lockdown game. I’m not only expecting 20+ points from Samberg this season, but I’m fully expecting for Samberg to make a name for himself on the Jets blueline as someone that truly belongs as a member of the top 4 defence.

Last but not least is the 29-year old from Omaha, Nebraska. Pionk is one of those players that will get praised when he does something well, but will also get bashed on social media when he’s not performing as he can. That’s really what it comes down to with Pionk. If Pionk establishes more consistency in his game at both ends, he’ll be more respected on this Jets team for his role on the blueline. The only career high that Pionk set last season was in penalty minutes, with 63, but his 33 points in 82 games still sits around his career average thus far. This summer, Pionk and his wife welcomed their 1st child, so perhaps Pionk will gain those so called “dad powers” that are always talked about across sports. I’m expecting another 30+ point season from Pionk, and more importantly, some more consistency in his game with the help of his defensive partner Dylan Samberg.

The Jets kick off their regular season in just 5 days now, when the Jets battle the Oilers in Edmonton on October 9th at 9:00 pm CT. The final countdown is on!