WINNIPEG -
The arrival of Patrik Laine and continued growth of Mark Scheifele and new captain Blake Wheeler are among the reasons there's a renewed sense of optimism surrounding the Winnipeg Jets.
After a 21-point decrease in the standings, the Jets missed the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons last spring. But that fall allowed them to essentially win the NHL draft lottery, moving to second from sixth and earning the right to draft Laine, the Finnish sniper whose landmark season included a gold medal at the world junior championship, another championship with his club team, Tappara Tampere of the SM-liiga, and a silver medal at the world championship.