# @puckempire on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Dbla5y3nCYZ
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/68611557-puckempire-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/d55b3a64e6.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-08-03T16:29:19.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Puck Empire 👑 (@puckempire) — https://gondola.cc/puckempire

## Caption

Continuing on with our 2026-27 standings projections, we've got the Winnipeg Jets at #24.

It's a shame Winnipeg doesn't have this Hellebuyck situation figured out at this point so that they could pick a direction. Instead of being completely awful and gunning for a top draft pick, they'll be mid again, as I think they'll START the season with Hellebuyck in net. If that changes I'll update my prediction, but I see Hellebuyck starting the year in Winnipeg and being moved around December. It's a matter of when, not if, at this point.

Offensively, I think Winnipeg has a fun top-six. Connor & Scheifele will do their elite thing per usual, and Vilardi is a true top-six guy. Iafallo & Niederreiter might be better suited as third-liners at this point, so maybe we see one moved down for Perfetti. I think we need to pump the tires on Viggo Bjorck. He's not going to jump into the league and immediately be a good 2C. He'll be fun as hell to watch, but he doesn't fix the Jets 2C problem they've had since Bryan Little got injured... yet.

Defensively, Winnipeg is actually pretty interesting. Their goaltenders will have some of the most help they've had in a while. Hopefully a healthy Morrissey, + guys like DeMelo, Samberg & Ferraro all of whom specialize in defensive game over offense. Pionk is a solid piece if he doesn't need to be the next man up, and Salomonsson (😆) is blossoming into a solid piece in their corps. Defense may actually be Winnipeg's best asset this season?!

In net, Hellebuyck sees progression from last season until he's moved. I think Skinner will see better stats than he had in Pittsburgh & Edmonton last season, but at the end of the deal he's ideally a backup and will put up backup numbers in a starter role.

Like I said, if Winnipeg trades Hellebuyck between now and puck drop, I'll update the list to have them MUCH lower... but I'm operating under the basis that he'll play the first couple months in Winnipeg.

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