As part of NHL.com’s 32 in 32 series, the fantasy hockey staff identifies relevant players from the Winnipeg Jets. For more coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy and subscribe for free to the “NHL Fantasy on Ice“podcast.
MORE FANTASY COVERAGE: Top 250 rankings
NOTES: These fantasy projections (for 82-game season), a collaborative effort by Pete Jensen and Anna Dua, have been quantified based on factors including but not limited to past performance in the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs, projected line combinations, power- play usage, team goalie situations, injury history or concern, sleeper upside, anticipated regression or bounce-back candidacy, age, contract status and overall upside for this season. The below totals are safe estimates and do not necessarily indicate each player’s ceiling or floor and should be used as a basis for decision-making in all fantasy leagues. Players are listed below in order of NHL.com top 250 rank.
[Jets 32 in 32: Season preview | 3 Questions | Top prospects]
Kyle ConnorLW — He ranked second in the NHL in even-strength goals (36) behind Toronto Maple Leafs center Austin Matthews (44) and was one of four players with at least 45 goals (47) and 45 assists (46) last season (others: Matthews, Leon Draisaitl, Kirill Kaprizov). Connor set NHL career highs in points (93), power-play points (28) and shots on goal (317) in 79 games last season despite the Jets missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He should be considered a top 25 overall player, top 10 left wing and a fringe top 15 player in most keeper leagues.
NHL.com point projection for Connor: 95
Video: Top 5 Kyle Connor Plays from the 2021-22 Season
Mark ScheifeleC — He was better than a point per game (70 in 67 games last season; second on Jets behind Connor) for the fourth straight season and has had at least a point per game in six straight. Scheifele ranks 13th in the NHL in points per game since 2016-17 (1.04) and, despite dealing with multiple injuries in his career, should be considered a fringe top 50 overall player and top 20 center.
NHL.com point projection for Scheifele: 83
Nikolaj EhlersLW/RW — He’s had his best points-per-game averages over the past two seasons (0.98 in 2020-21; 0.89 last season) and can reach his fantasy ceiling with more first power-play usage after Winnipeg’s coaching change from Dave Lowry to Rick Bowness. Ehlers finished strong (42 points in the final 40 games) last season and was second on the Jets in shots on goal (245) behind Connor. He could play more often on a line with a rookie forward Cole Perfetti (seven points in 18 NHL games) under Bowness and should be considered a top 75 overall player and among the five best dual-eligible wings in Yahoo Fantasy.
NHL.com point projection for Ehlers: 75
Connor HellebuyckG — He was second among goalies in games played (66) behind Jesus Saros of the Nashville Predators (67), 13th in wins (29) and tied for sixth in shutouts (four). Hellebuyck, who had the most saves (1,962) in the NHL last season, has one of the highest ceilings at his position; No goalie has had more wins in a single season than Hellebuyck since 2017-18, when he tied Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning for the League lead with 44. Hellebuyck should be considered a top 15 fantasy goalie and fringe top 75 overall player with obvious bounce-back appeal.
NHL.com win projection for Hellebuyck: 33
Pierre-Luc DuboisC — He played center on Connor’s line for most of last season and set NHL career highs in goals (28), power-play points (19) and shots on goal (233). Dubois ranked third on the Jets in points (60), goals and shots on goal last season and provides strong hits coverage (112 last season; 1.4 per game in NHL career), making him a potential fantasy bargain based on average draft position.
NHL.com point projection for Dubois: 63
—
Other WPG players to consider in fantasy: Blake Wheeler, C/RW; Cole Perfetti, C/RW; Neal PionkD; Josh MorrisseyD
Listen: “NHL Fantasy on Ice” podcast
.