Comparison between Current Jets Team and 2018 Team Sparks Debate

The question came out of the Blue Jackets dressing room, posed by Columbus forward and former Winnipeg Jet Jack Roslovic, when his team was in town to take on the streaking Jets this past week. He asked, ‘So who’s a better team, this year’s team or the 2018 team?’ This sparked a fascinating debate among the players and fans.

Roslovic was a part of the 2017-18 Jets team, a dynamic and exciting group that had a remarkable regular season, winning 52 games and earning 114 points, just behind the Nashville Predators. However, their journey to the Stanley Cup Final was cut short with a five-game loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final.

The current Jets, sitting on top of the NHL standings, have raised the bar and have the potential to recreate that postseason magic. With players like Adam Lowry, Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, Nik Ehlers, Josh Morrissey, and Connor Hellebuyck, who were all part of the 2017-18 team, in their ranks, the comparisons between the two teams are being made.

Lowry expressed his hope that this year’s team can overcome the obstacles and finally reach the ultimate goal. He believes both teams are exceptional, but the current team may have an edge.

While the 2017-18 team had the remarkable goal-scoring prowess of Patrik Laine, who scored 44 goals that season, the current Jets team is on pace to score almost the same number of goals. In fact, they have six players on track to score at least 20 goals each, compared to five players in the 2017-18 season.

Comparing the forward depth between the two teams, some players believe that the current team has a slight advantage. The addition of Paul Stastny at the 2018 trade deadline bolstered their lineup and allowed for more depth. However, injuries and potential trade deadline moves could still impact the current team.

When it comes to the defense, the 2017-18 team had an exceptional group of defensemen, including Dustin Byfuglien, Jacob Trouba, Tyler Myers, and Toby Enstrom, which made them one of the best back ends in recent memory. While the current Jets team might not have the same star power on the blue line, they are still producing offensively and playing solid defense.

Overall, the debate between the two teams continues, with each having their strengths and weaknesses. The answer to whether the current Jets team is better or not remains uncertain. Only time and the playoffs will truly reveal the outcome.