The Winnipeg Jets are off to a historic start to their 2024-25 season. As such, their best players have been their best players. You know, along with their depth players also being better than their competition on a nightly basis. The difference this year for the Jets is definitely their power play which is among the NHL’s best. When you combine offence with Connor Hellebuyck‘s spectacular performances, you easily have a recipe for success. These are just some of the reasons powering these men, and we shall discuss their respective ways to 4 Nations glory.
Jets Star Players and Their Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck
Since we just gave him away, we will start in net and move outward. Connor Hellebuyck is arguably the best goaltender on the planet. Furthermore, he has maintained this level for a few years now. Over the past five seasons, he has two Vezina Trophies and was third and fourth in voting in two of those other three seasons. On this season, his numbers are, as per usual, unbelievable. He’s 12-1-0, with a 1.92 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage.
As expected for someone regarded at the world’s best at his position, he is likely in line for the starter’s job with Team USA at the February 2025 4 Nations Face-Off tourney. Of course, there is heated competition for the role. Players such as Jake Oettinger and Thatcher Demko definitely would be included in the conversation. However, given Hellebuyck’s great start, combined with him being the reigning Vezina winner, he’s likely the front-runner for Team USA starting goalie.
Moving Onto the Blueline for the Jets and Team Canada
Since we started in goal and moved outward, next we would fall on defence. Here is a player, and if he was somehow not on your radar for Team Canada inclusion, you better put Josh Morrissey on the map. Morrissey’s complete game and competitive nature have him looking as one of the best defencemen in the game. Furthermore, he’s second in the league in points by a defenceman with 17 in 17 games. The leader in the category is incredibly on pace for 121 points, and who’s another Team Canada player, Cale Makar. As a note, Makar has already been named to the 4 Nation roster within the first six names that were previously selected by Canada.
One stat that stands out for Morrissey, is when you look at his pairing along with Dylan DeMelo. The duo has already skated 275 minutes together. In addition, during all that time out there together, they are extremely stingy defensively. Their goals-against per 60 minutes is a minuscule 1.53. If you combine that with Morrissey’s offensive play and contributions on the power play, you see what makes him such a complete NHL rearguard.
Another Canadian Among the Jets Star Players
Let’s stick with a fellow Canadian and move up front. Mark Scheifele is a great two-way player. In previous years, he’s always shown to be a great player at 5v5. In contrast, this season the Jets have figured out their power play and Scheifele is a more than welcoming recipient. Moreover, Scheifele’s aggressive edge to his game helps make him an ultimate playoff warrior. It is unlikely that previous Jet downfalls were particularly his fault. These attributes and his skillset make him a worthy candidate for Team Canada.
The difficulty with Scheifele making the roster is the combined quantity and quality of his competition. In the battle for third and fourth lines, Scheifele will have to contend with the likes of Connor Bedard, Alexis Lafreniere, and Nick Suzuki. Two other names like Mark Stone and Steven Stamkos are also in that conversation. However, Stone’s play to begin 2024-25 has likely cemented his place on the squad. Then with his slow start, Stamkos’ ability to make the roster will fall on his past resume. Which given his ability to still shoot the puck and play responsibly, along with the veteran leadership of a proven winner, makes him hard to ignore.
Fortunately for Scheifele, he is doing what it takes to make the roster so far. In 17 games played, his 21 points have him tied for 16th in the league. Oddly enough, one of the players he is tied with is Stone. In addition, Scheifele is helping to power the best power play in the entire NHL at 38%. He already has eight points on the man advantage. If we take into consideration the team’s play, and the collective group’s ability to shut down opposing players, with Scheifele recognized as one of the club’s leaders and a Jets star, his application to the Team Canada roster looks pretty strong.
An Offensive Star and Team USA Hopeful
Next up is one of Scheifele’s linemates and the sniper of the line to boot. Along with Gabriel Vilardi and Scheifele, Kyle Connor plays on the Jets top line. They have been on the ice for 225 minutes together as a unit. In that time, their xGoals% is at 51.7%, which is positive. Considering they are up against the other team’s top matchups on a nightly basis, their consistency is impressive. Connor sits one point above Scheifele with 22, in a tie for 12th league-wide. His 11 goals have him tied for sixth in that category. Finally, one impressive stat about Connor has been his offensive consistency throughout his entire NHL career. If you average his statistics out over a full 82 games, he would have 38 goals and 38 assists.
Connor’s ability to attack on the rush and snipe makes him an ideal player for a tournament with top competition. He plays with speed and has the finishing ability to go along with it. It seems like he will make Team USA. However, the one thing that could make his inclusion difficult is if the team sides with role players. If Connor isn’t placed in a position to be a goal scorer, maybe the management staff will side with more responsible, two-way players for his roster spot. It is unlikely given Connor’s offensive proficiency, but perhaps something to consider.
The Jets Are Awesome and at the End of the Day Their Players Will Be Rewarded
Of all the players we have discussed so far, the two Team Canada hopefuls are less likely to make their respective squads. Hellebuyck is a lock and the only question is whether he is their top goalie. But by his performance thus far in 2024-25, that seems like a foregone conclusion. The competition for Scheifele and Connor is intense for both of them. However, the fact that they are so high up among the NHL leaders, should have them representing their countries. Also, the only real aspect putting Morrissey’s selection in question is the depth on the left side of the Team Canada defence. Conversely, given his standard of play, he has put himself very high on that depth chart, competing with fellow countrymen like Morgan Rielly and Shea Theodore.
For completeness, there are a couple of other players that could make one of the four country’s rosters. Adam Lowry is an American and the captain of the Jets, but it is tough to think he will be in the conversation to make such a highly competitive roster. Rasmus Kupari is a player who has represented his Finnish squad in the past, at the junior level. However, he is a player who is under ten minutes a night in the NHL. There are probably better options for Team Finland to choose from. So, there you have it. With an incredible start to the season, means that the Jets star players are highly coveted for their respective country’s best-on-best teams. Look for up to four of the Jets current players suiting up for the countryside come February.
Main Photo Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
