What’s next for the Winnipeg Jets?

Sometimes you sweep, sometimes you get swept.

The Winnipeg Jets pulled off a major shock in the first round of this year’s playoffs, taking down Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers in four games. After that, they got shocked by the Montreal Canadiens, who pulled off a sweep of their own.

After getting through Edmonton, the Jets appeared poised to go on a serious playoff run, but now they’ll be bussing back to Winnipeg for some golf. What’s next for this team?

First thing’s first, the Jets can’t get fooled by their sweep over Edmonton. Though they took down a team with two Hart Trophy winners in four games, Winnipeg was never the better team during the series. It was the same story against Montreal, as the Jets were outshot in all four of their games.

The Jets’ success this spring ultimately came down to Connor Hellebuyck being very good. He stopped 151 of the 159 shots Edmonton threw his way but he couldn’t will the team through another series. There’s quite a bit of work to do in order to build a legitimate contender here.

The Jets badly need to make their blueline better. They ranked sixth-last in the league in 2021 in terms of expected goals against at even-strength and were bailed out by Hellebuyck. With @Paul Stastny, @Mathieu Perreault, and @Jordie Benn coming off of the books, Winnipeg will have some cap room to try to make a major free-agent signing to shore up their blueline.

The challenge, of course, is that the Jets have to lure a big-time free agent to Winnipeg. Instead, they could opt to trade for a defender. With the Expansion Draft coming up, a play for the Jets could be to trade draft picks and prospects to a team who won’t be able to protect all of their defenders from Seattle. Teams like Anaheim and Nashville come to mind.

Regardless, the Jets need to improve their blueline in order to take the next step and become a team that doesn’t just rely on their goalie to win games.