NHL Analyst Reveals One Crucial Factor Could Decide Where the Jets Finish in Central Division Race

The Winnipeg Jets are coming off their first Central Division title and are looking to repeat next season. But with powerhouses like the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars still in the mix, and the division's history of parity, repeating won't be easy.

With Detroit's relocation to the Central in 2011, just two teams, Minnesota and Utah (formerly Arizona), haven't won the division, showing how competitive it's been.

It'll likely require something in the range of 112 points to top the division again, a figure that's long been the benchmark to take the division. That's no small feat, but Winnipeg has surpassed 109 points in each of the past two seasons.

The team's elite defensive core remains intact, with the new contract of Dylan Samberg. Offense is the bigger concern. Can the Jets muster sufficient scoring punch without Nikolaj Ehlers? The team signed Gustav Nyquist in an effort to offset the loss.

While he may not replace Ehlers' production, his veteran presence and past production could be sufficient to round out the top six.

One other thing going in Winnipeg's favor: the schedule, per NHL analyst Jake Tye of 'The Hockey News'.

Winnipeg's strength of schedule is right around the league average or slightly higher, yet easier than that of key competitors Dallas and Colorado. In a tight division fight, that's a massive advantage.

With defense, depth, and schedule in its favor, Winnipeg has a real shot at a repeat if the offense can keep pace.