Winnipeg Jets fantasy preview for 2020-21

As part of NHL.com's 31 in 31 series, the fantasy hockey staff identifies relevant players from the Winnipeg Jets. For more fantasy coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy and subscribe for free to the NHL Fantasy on Ice podcast.

Connor Hellebuyck, G (NHL.com rank: 24) -- The Vezina Trophy winner was second in wins (31) last season behind Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning (35) and led the NHL with six shutouts. Hellebuyck tied Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens in games (58) and was second in save percentage (.922) behind Tuukka Rask of the Boston Bruins (.929 in 41 games) among the 22 goalies who played at least 40 games. Hellebuyck is the second-ranked fantasy goalie this season behind Vasilevskiy, but it's worth noting he took a step back in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers (1-3, .904 SV% in four games against Calgary Flames). The Jets also allowed the seventh-most shots per game (32.6) during the regular season.
Jets 31 IN 31: [Season preview | 3 Questions | Top prospects | Behind the Numbers]
Mark Scheifele, C (38) -- He's tied for 24th in the NHL in points per game (1.02; 217 points in 213 games) over the past three seasons and was tied with left wing linemate Kyle Connor for the Jets' scoring lead (73 points in 71 games) last season. Scheifele was 11th in the NHL in even-strength points (53) and led Winnipeg in assists (44; T-18th) and power-play goals (10; T-18th). Scheifele, one of the 15 most valuable fantasy centers (13th in NHL.com's rankings), injured his leg during the postseason
but said he is feeling 100 percent
.
Patrik Laine, LW/RW (39) -- He had a bounce-back fantasy performance last season with 63 points (28 goals, 35 assists) in 68 regular-season games and was among the top 20 overall players (19th) in standard leagues. Despite usually playing on a separate line from Connor, Scheifele and forward Blake Wheeler at even strength, Laine was third on the Jets in goals, second in SOG (226; T-14th in NHL) and third in points per game (0.93). Laine is tied for seventh in goals since entering the NHL in 2016-17 (138) and set NHL career highs in assists (35) and hits (97) last season.

Kyle Connor, LW (40) -- He is a top 10 fantasy left wing in NHL.com's rankings and gives the Jets five players among the top 50 overall (only other teams with five in that range: Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs). Connor has scored at least 31 goals in each of his first three seasons and led Winnipeg last season with an NHL career-high 38. Connor, a fixture on the top line with Scheifele and Wheeler, led the Jets in shots on goal (239) and was among the NHL's top 10 last season in even-strength goals (28; T-4th) and points (54; T-9th).
Blake Wheeler, C/RW (56) -- He was third on the Jets in points (65 in 71 games) behind linemates Scheifele and Connor, second in assists (43) behind Scheifele, and second in PPP (22) behind breakout defenseman Neal Pionk (25). Wheeler, who had consecutive NHL career-high 91-point seasons in 2017-18 and 2018-19, has been one of the most valuable fantasy players of the past decade; since 2011-12, he ranks seventh in the NHL in points (634 in 687 games), 11th in SOG (1,978) and 16th in PPP (186) with 1.4 hits per game over the span.
Other players to consider in later rounds or off waiver wire: Nikolaj Ehlers, LW/RW (116); Neal Pionk, D (148); Josh Morrissey, D (224); Paul Stastny, C (226); Ville Heinola, D (238)
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