Breaking down benchmarks the Jets will need to hit if they want to win second straight divisional title.

The Winnipeg Jets are coming off their first-ever Central Division title and are aiming to repeat that success next season. The Central remains one of the NHL’s most competitive divisions, consistently producing top-tier Western Conference contenders such as the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars, with former powerhouses like the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks also having shaped its legacy.

Winning this division is never easy, especially with such high-caliber teams always in the mix. Repeating as champions will be a significant challenge for the Jets, but it is worth looking at what will be required for them to make another run at the top. Since the Red Wings' stretch of dominance in the early 2000s, the Central Division crown has passed through almost every team following Detroit’s departure in 2011 with the only exceptions being the Minnesota Wild and the newly relocated Utah Mammoth.

For Winnipeg to capture the division again, recent trends suggest they will likely need around 112 points. Since 2000, that number has typically been the benchmark to win the Central with anything below 109 points has usually proven to be not enough.

This target is within reach for the Jets as they have exceeded 109 points in each of the past two seasons, and their league-best defensive core returns intact with Dylan Samberg re-signing. The bigger question is whether the offense can maintain its pace following the departure of Nikolaj Ehlers.

To help address that gap, Winnipeg brought in Gustav Nyquist, a former 70-point scorer. While he may not fully replace Ehlers’ production, he could help soften the blow. Offense will be the primary focus for the Jets as they look to stay competitive in the division race.

One potential advantage lies in their schedule. Winnipeg is roughly in the middle of the league in terms of strength of schedule but ranks slightly ahead of key divisional rivals like the Stars and Avalanche. In a tight race, that difference could play a crucial role.

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