3 Jets With The Most To Prove In 2023-24

The Winnipeg Jets have made a few major changes to their lineup, which has opened up the opportunity for different players to step up this season. Along with that, some Jets had strong seasons that will put pressure on them to replicate for one reason or another. Let's take a look at three players with the most to prove.

Gabriel Vilardi

Gabriel Vilardi finally broke out like the Los Angeles Kings were hoping for and had a strong season, but had to be sent to the Jets in the Pierre-Luc Dubois deal. Playing on Winnipeg this season gives Vilardi a season-long opportunity that he wasn't going to get in Los Angeles, and in the second line center role, he must take advantage. There will be some familiarity playing on a line with Alex Iafallo, but the 23-year-old Vilardi must improve upon his 23 goals and 41 points in 63 games from last season as he also just signed a two-year, prove-it deal.

Josh Morrissey

Josh Morrissey changed his game a bit last season and it couldn't have worked out better. He put up 76 points under head coach Rick Bowness, but as the offense and team has gotten weaker, it will be tough to replicate. Some may expect a similar season from him, but realistic expectations are to hope for 55-65 points. Either way, with scoring up around the league and Morrissey heavily relied upon on the Jets' back-end, he will have to prove last season wasn't a fluke.

Mark Scheifele

Mark Scheifele was a point-per-game player for six consecutive seasons before 2022-23, but while sacrificing a bit of points, he managed to score the most goals in a season in his career, 42. Heading into his contract year and hoping to get a big contract after next season, there will be an expectation to return to a point-per-game player or once again put up 40 goals. And while he did score a lot of goals, he also put up his least amount of assists in a season since his rookie year.