Could the Jets finish top three in the Central Division?

One of the big surprises of the first week-and-change of the NHL season has been the Winnipeg Jets, who have jumped out to a 3-0-1 start that gives them an early leg up in the Central Division.

Given that they finished well outside the playoff picture last season and are playing without star goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who continues to sit out after requesting a trade, the Jets were widely projected to finish in the bottom half of the division, especially with a top three of Colorado, Dallas and Minnesota that was so strong in 2025-26.

But new goalies Stuart Skinner and Clay Stevenson have performed quite well, and star winger Kyle Connor has been one of the league’s top forwards to this point. A 2-0-1 start was one thing, but Winnipeg found a real statement win on Wednesday night by knocking off the Avalanche in regulation thanks to a late game-winning goal from Connor.

On Thursday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, host Tyler Yaremchuk and co-host and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton were joined by former NHL defenseman Colby Cohen to break down Winnipeg’s hot start and discuss what it means for their ceiling this season.

Tyler Yaremchuk: One of my preseason predictions was that the Winnipeg Jets are going to be a playoff team. I’ve said it a bunch, but I think they’re gonna really buy into this underdog, us against the world mentality, and after watching them early in the year, I’m feeling pretty good about my prediction of them making the playoffs. So I’m going to take it a step further for this one; they’re 3-0-1 by the way: The Winnipeg Jets will be a top three team in the Central Division. Hutts, I’ll let you go first, 1-10 is it insane, or do you think it could happen?

Carter Hutton: I do think it could happen, but I’m going to go 4. I just think where they’re at with this parity and their depth in their lineup, I think right now Kyle Connor’s scoring at a crazy pace. He’s got potential to get 50 this year; he’s had 47 before. I do think we have underestimated the fact that they have Stuart Skinner in their pipes, right? This is a guy that just came from Edmonton where he was under the microscope. He didn’t have a great team at times in front of him, and he battled… He’s been to Stanley Cup Finals. There’s a lot of pedigree in there, and just maybe a change of scenery… it gives them value, but in a Central Division where we just talked about how good Utah is, how good Colorado is, Minnesota, Dallas, to slide in that top three might be a bit of a stretch for me, folks.

Colby Cohen: I’m sorry, Winnipeg, but I’m going to go with a 1. I think it’s insane. I don’t think it’s going to happen. Good for them, I’ll tell you what, Stuart Skinner, it’s a shame Edmonton doesn’t have a guy like that in net. He sure looked good last night and steals two points for his team because Colorado had a ton of Grade-A opportunities. Martin Necas gets robbed on the back door, Stuart Skinner was dialed. I do think you put a chip on a guy’s shoulder, you push him out of a market and you blame everything on him, I think that certainly can be a huge motivating factor for a player… Kyle Connor’s going to score goals; we know that… I still think ultimately, unless they can turn around and add some serious depth offensively and add some real pieces in a Connor Hellebuyck trade, I just don’t see it. It’s less of a knock on them and really more of a testament to how good the rest of the division is.

You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode below…