What to be excited about after the Jets 2016-17 season

With the Winnipeg Jets season coming to a close on Saturday, we take a look at some of the best parts of the 2016-17 season.

The Winnipeg Jets finished off their season on Saturday night, defeating the Nashville Predators and extending their winning streak to seven. That streak is now the longest in franchise history, breaking a record that dated back to 2010 while the team was still in Atlanta.

While the year didn't end the way the Jets wanted it too, it wasn't a completely awful year. Fans were given plenty to cheer for, both on and off the ice. Here are some highlights from the Jets 2016-17 season.

'Hat-trick' Laine

Patrik Laine started the season with high expectations. Fans expected him to score. Laine expected to score. But I don't even think he would have predicted how the season went.

After two hat-tricks against the Dallas Stars and one against the number one overall pick and his Toronto Maple Leafs, Laine became the only 18-year-old in NHL history to score three hat-tricks before his 19th birthday. His three hat-tricks were also the most of any player in the NHL this season, helping him secure his first ever All-Star nod.

He finished the year with 36 goals, which puts him fifth all-time for goals by an 18-year-old, with first place belonging to a former Jets player, Dale Hawerchuk. The fans always want to see playoff hockey, but take heart knowing that, as a city, you've watched two of the greatest 18-year-old NHL players ever play for your Winnipeg Jets.

Scheifele Becomes Elite

Since February 1, 2016, Mark Scheifele has scored more points than any player in the NHL not named Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby or Patrick Kane. And since March 1, 2016, Scheifele has more even-strength points than anyone.

In the NHL, you often get your shot when someone else gets hurt. In the last half of the 2015-16 season, Bryan Little got hurt and Scheifele was offered the first-line center position. He has since taken it and never looked back.

Scheifele finished the 2016-17 season seventh in scoring, posting more than a point-per-game while playing with other young superstars like Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers and wily veterans like Blake Wheeler and Mathieu Perreault. He's already agreed to join Team Canada for the World Championships and seems like a lock for next years All-Star game.

Did I mention he's signed for another seven years? Enjoy it Winnipeg, but this seventh overall pick is going to be playing like this for many years to come.

Captain Wheeler

Speaking of Scheifele, many fans thought he would be named the next captain after Andrew Ladd was traded. Instead, Kevin Cheveldayoff and Paul Maurice went with the veteran Wheeler, with hopes that he would bring all the young kids together. Making it just a little sweeter was the fact that it was announced on his 30th birthday.

While they didn't make the playoffs, it wasn't because of any lack of effort on Wheeler's part. Wheeler finished second on the team and 12th in the league for points while playing an average of 20 minutes a night. And most importantly, he made everyone around him better. The Jets couldn't win enough games this year, but Wheeler has won our hearts.

Troubassey

After a stellar year with the Manitoba Moose, Josh Morrissey was ready for the NHL. His rookie year went great and he ended up being the only Jets defender to play all 82 games. But the most exciting part of the campaign came when Jacob Trouba and Morrissey were paired up and 'Troubassey' was created.

Since joining forces, the two young kids have been the Jets most consistent defenders. They can both make solid offensive decisions and cover for the other when something goes wrong.

Within three years, this will be one of the best defensive pairings in the league and, considering they are both younger than 24 years of age, Jets fans will get to see a lot more of them over the coming years.

The Future

No one knows for sure what the future holds, but for Jets fans, it's going to be fun! The Jets already have established NHL veterans like Wheeler, Bryan Little and Dustin Byfuglien, along with a crop of young kids like Scheifele, Laine, Ehlers, Morrissey and Trouba. If that wasn't good enough, they also have Eric Comrie, Jack Roslovic, Kyle Connor and Logan Stanley just waiting for their chance to shine.

What was your favorite Jets memory this season? Let us know on Facebook!