The Winnipeg Jets are back in the win column following a 3-2 overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres last night. It wasn’t the “perfect” game by the Jets by any means, but it was definitely an improvement from the games during the Jets 4 game losing streak. Today, the Jets were on their way to Chicago, where they will take on the Blackhawks tomorrow at 3:00 pm CT.

Talk around the Jets has become more positive after a win, despite some recent adversities and injuries, but today the talk around the Jets was about Mark Scheifele. Earlier today, on “Daily Faceoff Live”, insider Frank Seravalli mentioned that Mark Scheifele is being considered as a top replacement candidate for Canada at the upcoming 4 Nations face-off tournament in February.

As soon as news of this tournament was announced, I wrote an article (5 months ago) about which Jets could be playing at this event. I had projected, like many others, 4 players to make this tournament: Connor Hellebuyck, Kyle Connor, Josh Morrissey and Mark Scheifele. Hellebuyck and Connor were selected for team USA, and Morrissey was selected for Canada, but it was somewhat of a surprise to learn that Scheifele was not selected for Team Canada.

In 27 games this season, Scheifele has 13 goals and 16 assists for 29 points. Only Kyle Connor has more points than Scheifele on the Jets, with 30 points in 27 games. The 7th overall pick from the 2011 NHL draft continues to maintain an elite level of production at 31 years old, and has been a big part of the reason why the Jets are currently 19-8-0.

Why then was Scheifele not selected as one of the 13 forwards to be a part of Team Canada? Some people think it could be due to position, as Canada is loaded at the centre position. Other reasons why Scheifele could have not been picked could be due to being a right handed shot, or maybe it just had to do with what situations on the special teams Scheifele could have been used for on a stacked Canadian roster.

Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli brought up 3 names on “Daily Faceoff Live” today that he thinks have come up to the top of Canada’s list for possible replacements, and Mark Scheifele was one of those names. Seravalli said that “Scheifele, to me, I think he’s right on the edge of being an undeniable player for Team Canada to leave off of this team.” Seravalli went on to note Scheifele’s hot start to the season, producing at over a point per game. Seravalli also added that some people have called Scheifele’s game “one dimension”, but he sees him as a “horse”, someone who could really contribute to the Canadian team.

Mark Scheifele has proven this season that he can play in almost any situation. If Scheifele does get the call to Team Canada prior to the tournament, you can bet that he’ll be ready to play whatever role he is given, whether that is at centre or on the wing. Jets fans will already have 3 players to watch for at this “best on best” (of the 4 nations) tournament, but Scheifele is “up next” for Team Canada if the team requires any changes to its current roster.

Seravalli also named Edmonton Oilers’ forward Zach Hyman, and Calgary Flames’ defenceman Mackenzie Weegar as the other Canadian players that are on Team Canada’s radar at the moment. The 4 Nations face-off tournament begins on February 12th at the Bell Centre in Montreal, before shifting to TD Garden in Boston for their 3 final games of the tournament, including the Championship game on February 20th.