The Winnipeg Jets made big moves after last year's first-round elimination. What could they do this time? Rick Bowness and Dylan DeMelo [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA2MTU0MTU0Mjk5NjMwNjkx/usatsi_23156354.jpg] Rick Bowness and Dylan DeMelo The Winnipeg Jets are coming off yet another early exit from the Stanley Cup playoffs. They've advanced beyond the first round only once since reaching the Western Conference final in 2018. This year's early departure follows the second-best season [https://records.nhl.com/franchises/winnipeg-jets/season-by-season-record] in franchise history. The Jets rode Connor Hellebuyck's strong goaltending and stingy defense to a 110-point finish. However, they struggled to contain the Colorado Avalanche, bowing out of the opening round in five games. Last year's first-round exit prompted GM Kevin Cheveldayoff to trade Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Los Angeles Kings and buy out the final season of Blake Wheeler's contract. It'll be interesting to see what he does following this year's disappointing finish. THN.com's Jacob Stoller believes the Jets lack true superstars up front despite having depth and their defense group behind top defenseman Josh Morrissey is bleak. He added that the team must address these issues to go deeper into the playoffs and become a true Stanley Cup contender. ESPN.com's Ryan S. Clark noted [https://www.espn.com/nhl/insider/story/_/id/39936448/nhl-offseason-schedule-keys-draft-picks-trades-free-agency-cap-space] that Cheveldayoff must maneuver around his limited salary-cap space for 2024-25 to improve his roster. PuckPedia indicates [https://puckpedia.com/team/winnipeg-jets] the Jets have about $11.473 million of projected salary cap space with 19 active roster players under contract next season. Forwards Tyler Toffoli and Sean Monahan, defensemen Brenden Dillon, Dylan DeMelo and Colin Miller and goaltender Laurent Brossoit are UFAs on July 1. Forward Cole Perfetti is their notable RFA. The Winnipeg Sun's Scott Billeck pondered [https://winnipegsun.com/sports/billeck-jets-brought-regular-season-game-to-playoff-battle] if Cheveldayoff would consider shaking up his roster core. Hellebuyck and center Mark Scheifele signed long-term extensions last fall so they're not going anywhere. Neither is Morrissey. Billeck wondered if high-scoring winger Kyle Connor or speedy forward Nikolaj Ehlers would become trade candidates. Peddling either guy would be a major move on Cheveldayoff's part. Connor would fetch the best return, but Ehlers seems the more likely trade option, given he has a year left on his contract. Head coach Rick Bowness's future drew the interest [https://winnipegsun.com/sports/snapshots-jets-put-in-historically-bad-defensive-performance-in-five-game-loss-to-avalanche] of Billeck's colleague Ted Wyman. He has a year remaining on his deal, but his wife dealt with some health issues this season, requiring him to take time away from the club. Wyman wondered if the 69-year-old Bowness might consider retirement.
