1980-81 Regular Season: Jets vs. Hartford Whalers The Winnipeg Jets were in their second season in the NHL, and ninth season overall, after playing seven years in the World Hockey Association. The Jets were a powerhouse in the old WHA, winning 3 Avco Cups and leading the way in signing talented European players. However, the Jets and the other three WHA holdovers were treated like expansion franchises upon entering the NHL. The Jets were forced to give up several top scorers in a "reclamation draft" and could only draft 18th overall in the NHL Entry Draft in 1979. As a result, the 1979-80 season was brutal for the Jets, as they finished dead last with just 51 points. The team selected Portland Winterhawks defenseman Dave Babych second overall in the draft. 1980-81, however, made the previous year's team look like a contender. The 1980-81 Winnipeg Jets...sucked. There's really no better way to describe that team. Winnpeg w...