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Arizona Coyotes 2015 Opponents: Winnipeg Jets

By William Grigsby

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The Arizona Coyotes have to win games against their Western Conference foes, as they are so important in the standings.

We go up the North country today to look at the Jets:

Today we look at: Winnipeg Jets

2014-15 record: 43-26-13, 5th in the Central, Lost in 4 games to Anaheim in the Western Conference Quarterfinals

How the the Arizona Coyotes did in 2014-15: 3 games, 1-1-1

Schedule this year against the Arizona Coyotes: Sat 11/21 at Winnipeg, Tue 1/26 at Winnipeg, Thur 1/31 Home

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Notable additions: RW Matt Fraser, C Alex Burmistrov

Notable subtractions: RW Michael Frolik, RW Lee Stempniak, C Jim Slater

Coached by: Paul Maurice (3rd year)

Who’s in Net:

The Jets had a surprisingly successful season last year. They witnessed 24-year-old Michael Hutchinson start to show his abilities, and the resurgence of Ondrej Pavelec, which gave them promise for the future. Pavelec is still the starter, but Hutchinson could take over as early as this season, if he continues to plays well. They also have Connor Hellebuyck waiting in the wings and a trade with one of these goalies could happen. You could say the Jets are set between the pipes.

Some thoughts about the Jets:

  • After barely making the playoffs last season, the Jets haven’t made significant changes to their team. That may disappoint some who feel they could develop more with younger players. They now feel they have the quality players to not only to make the playoffs again, but move up further in the standings as well.
  • One of their star players Dustin Byfuglien is constantly mentioned in trade rumors, and a player his size can be a forward or a defenseman, your choice big guy.
  • The Jets expect a big season from Tyler Myers after acquiring him from Buffalo last season in the trade for Evander Kane. Kane didn’t seem to get along very well in Winnipeg, so they traded him, and now may miss his offense. That puts excessive pressure on Tyler Myers to show they made the correct choice with Kane. Hope he can handle it.

Why the Jets will win the Stanley Cup:

They were happy and so were their fans, to make the playoffs, after rejoining the NHL. Now, they want to continue that success, and see if they can become an even better team. They have the potential, but are still growing into a team who can be considered a Cup contender.

Why the Jets won’t win the Stanley Cup: They seem to be a team who are content with their new found success, and made some moves, but nothing earth shattering to consider them a viable candidate to take it all.

Three Things We Like About You:

  1. We like that you moved to Arizona when your team decided to move.
  2. We’re glad that your loyal fans got their team back, and are playing some decent hockey.
  3. We like that we have some spirited games, and the history of our existence was rooted in Winnipeg.

Three Things We Don’t Like About You:

  1. It seems when we make those long Western Canada road trips, we tend to be worn out by the time we play against you.
  2. We weren’t too happy about how the Evander Kane situation turned out, but are glad he’s in the Eastern Conference now, and won’t against us as often.
  3. The constant rumors that we would move to Winnipeg, and then you re-entered the league as an expansion team instead. It would have been really embarrassing to go back to Winnipeg after leaving there, kinda like a do over thing… not good.

Prediction: You lost Kane, and Frolik, but got Myers in return. Whether that is enough to qualify you again for the playoffs is debatable. The Western Conference is always improving and the competition for the playoffs continues to increase. We think your “Cinderella” season may have been a fluke, and you may just miss the playoffs this season. 

Next: Arizona Coyotes Trade Gormley To Av's For Stefan Elliott

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