from Sean Reynolds of Sportsnet,

1. Too many “ifs”
You’ve heard the recipe for success in Winnipeg this season. The Jets will be a threat:

• IF Connor Hellebuyck regains his Vezina candidate form…
• IF a collection of inexperienced defencemen can step up and fill the holes on a decimated blue line…
• IF Dustin Byfuglien returns to play…

To summarize: a lot needs to go right for the Jets to keep the season from falling apart. Things tend to go wrong with that many questionable links in the chain.

2. Loss of veteran leadership
Though the Jets have a number of talented young players to fill holes left behind by a summer of loss, talent isn’t always enough. There’s a reason NHL teams don’t turn over experienced defence corps the way the Jets are doing right now.

Composure is a learned trait for pro hockey players, maybe more so for defencemen. The Jets are going to hit turbulence this season and to expect fringe NHLers and youngsters to steady the ship while learning the NHL game on the fly is a tall order.

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