Scouting Report: Winnipeg Jets

The Oilers are in Manitoba to take on the Winnipeg Jets tonight.  And I've got questions.  I've got questions about the Winnipeg Jets.  I've got questions about their goaltending, and I've got questions about Patrick Laine too.  Are the Jets a playoff team?

Fortunately, Tim Bonnar from Arctic Ice Hockey is here to help me out.  Thanks for helping us out, Tim.

Copper and Blue:  Right this very minute, Your Winnipeg Jets are on a two game winning streak. What's going right for Winnipeg?

Arctic Ice Hockey:  Goaltending is happening and that hasn't been the case for much of the Jets first 5 years. Connor Hellebuyck is keeping the team in games - even when the offense isn't flowing freely.

CNB:  2016 second-overall pick Patrik Laine looks like he's the real deal. Just 25 games into his young career, he's third in team scoring with 19 points. What's a good season look like for Patrick Laine? What's his ceiling this year?

AIH: Laine makes keeping expectations in check a challenge. He is among the league leaders in goals and nothing he does makes it look like a fluke. His shot is among the best in the league. Many are still looking at 30 goals as a measure for a good year, but I don't think anyone would be shocked to see him surpass that by a handful. He improved by leaps and bounds as time passed last year, wonder if he can do the same this year. What I do expect is a jump in the assist numbers. Laine is a marvelous passer -though he's doing his best work on the powerplay at this point.

CNB:. Ondrej Pavelec was a big question mark in goal for the Jets in the past. Do you feel better with Connor Hellebuyck driving the bus?

AIH: So much better. Hellebuyck plays a much more calming style. He isn't out of position so he doesn't have to scramble. Hellboy was arguably the best goaltending prospect outside the NHL, he's lived up to that billing early. .

CNB: Tell us about a Jet who's been doing all the right things who doesn't get the credit he deserves.

AIH Gonna go with Josh Morrissey on this one. The rookie has spent most of the season on the top pair with Dustin Byfuglien and he has looked great. Originally billed as an offensive D man, it has been his play in the D zone that has earned accolades. Josh is a phenomenal skater and he's played some of the league's most dangerous players perfectly 1-on-1. Expect the same if his is defending a rush tonight. Excellent gap control.

CNB:. Finally, are we talkin' playoffs for the Jets? Why or why not? Nobody expects playoffs at this point.

AIH: The team is very young and they've dug a hole while dealing will all these injuries. Maybe they'll be better for it, but plenty needs to go right. Regardless, there is plenty of reason for hope.

Thanks to Tim for taking the time out to answer a few questions about the Jets.

The Oilers will take on the Jets tonight at the MTS Centre.