NHL Preview 2019-20: Winnipeg Jets

(This year again, I will twin-post with my Collectibles Blog and write about a player who is related to my Preview post here. Today, it's Winnipeg Jets star defender Dustin Byfuglien).

GM: Kevin Cheveldayoff (since 2011). 7.5/10
Coach: Paul Maurice (since 2014). 7.5/10

2018-19 record: 47-30-5, 99 points (2nd in the Central Division, T-4th in the Western Conference).
Playoffs: Eliminated in Round 1 by the St. Louis Blues in six games.

Departures: Jacob Trouba (D), Kevin Hayes (C), Tyler Myers (D), Ben Chiarot (D), Matt Hendricks (C), Marko Dano (LW), Nic Kerdiles (LW), Brandon Tanev (RW), Joe Morrow (D), Par Lindholm (LW), Bogdan Kiselevich (D).

Arrivals: Gabriel Bourque (RW), Neal Pionk (D), Mark Letestu (C), Anthony Bitetto (D).

Top forwards: Mark Schiefele (80-85 points), Blake Wheeler (75-90 points), Patrik Laine (65-75 points, 40+ goals, hopefully), Kyle Connor (55-70 points), Nikolaj Ehlers (60-65 points), Bryan Little (40-50 points), Mathieu Perreault (45-50 points), Jack Roslovic (35-45 points), Adam Lowry (25-35 points), Andrew Copp (20-30 points).

Must-improve forward: used to be regarded as a potential second-liner, but now, on his fifth team, he mans the fourth and plays around 13 minutes per game.

Top defensemen: Dustin Byfluglien (50-55 points if he plays), Josh Morrissey (35-45 points), Dmitry Kulikov (20-35 points), Nathan Beaulieu (20-30 points), Neal Pionk (20-30 points), Ville Heinola (20-25 points), Tucker Poolman (10 points), Anthony Bitetto (5-10 points).

Goalies: Connor Hellebuyck (89/100), Laurent Brossoit (80/100).

Top prospects: Ville Heinola (18, D, 2019 first-round draft pick), Kristian Vesalainen (20, LW/RW), Logan Stanley (21, D, 2016 first-round draft pick), Andrei Chibisov (26, LW/RW), Leon Gawanke (20, D), Sami Niku (22, D), Luke Green (21, D).

Analysis:
What team can overcome losing two-thirds of its regulars on the blue line and three left wingers? The answer should be "none", but the Jets have the resources to try, with elite forwards like captain Wheeler, Scheifele and Connor, elite-to-be sniper Laine, and one of the best supporting casts on forward in the game. Unfortunately for them, all but one (Tampa Bay Lightning) of those deep-at-forward teams play in the West: Vegas Golden Knights, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators.

The Jets also have a Vezina-worthy goalie in net to help alleviate losing the likes of Trouba, Myers and Chiarot, but no one in the NHL can replace a Byfuglien should he choose to retire. That is one roster move that will certainly hurt Winnipeg's chances of advancing in the playoffs, and could even be big enough to have them miss the post-season dance altogether.

Needless to say, I came up with these in late August when Big Buff was still slated to be at his usual position on the back end:

Prediction: 5th in the Central Division, second Wild Card in the West, 15th overall.