This is now part five of our 20 in 20 series. I am sure you are now aware of what is going on,  so let’s get right to it!

The Jets have been known for the last several seasons for their excellent drafting and developmental skills as their first pick of every draft has made it to the NHL (minus Vesalainen who was drafted only a year ago). While the Jets have certainly used their first round picks well, it’s their depth picks that really set them apart from other organizations.

One of the trends that is beginning to emerge for the organization is how often players who have once played for the Moose are now playing for the Jets. When looking at the history, majority of the Jets picks have eventually made their way onto the Manitoba Moose. From there, the Jets continue to develop these players and have ended up with the likes of Morrissey, Lowry, Roslovic, and Connor.

It is only a matter of time before some of the younger prospects begin to push their way onto the Jets roster like the others before them. Today’s combinations will look at two lineups that include Manitoba Moose players from last season and also a few lines that are comprised of all former Moose players.

Ehlers – Scheifele – Wheeler
Connor – Roslovic – Petan
Perreault – Little – Laine
Tanev – Lowry – Copp

Likelihood: 4/10
Fun Factor: 10/10

This lineup features an all Moose second line with Connor, Roslovic, and Petan finally playing together on the big club. This line would fantastically fun to watch as they go flying up the ice and terrorizing any slower competition. They might need to be sheltered by Maurice and get a very high offensive zone start percentage, but they would be a joy to watch in the offensive end.

Roslovic and Connor already have plenty of experience playing together considering they were line mates for the Moose two seasons ago. During their time together, they lit up the opposition, including this hat-trick Connor scored during his Moose days with Roslovic getting assists on the first and third Connor goals.

The rest of the lines are also strong which would help the second line to be sheltered when needed.

While most would recognize the second line as the all former Moose players, technically the fourth line is also former Moose players. Lowry played nearly a full season in the AHL in 2013/14 but that was with the IceCaps. More recently, he played four games with the Moose in 2015/16. Tanev and Copp also have briefly made appearances with the Moose, Tanev with 23 games in 2016/17 and Copp with 8 games in that same year.

Connor – Scheifele – Wheeler
Ehlers – Little – Perreault
Appleton – Roslovic – Laine
Lemieux – Lowry – Copp

Likelihood: 2/10
Fun Factor: 3/10

This line combination has both Appleton and Lemieux cracking the lineup. This might be a long shot but Appleton has had a very strong development curve and Lemieux already has a taste of what the NHL experience is like.

Roslovic and Appleton were on the same line for much of last season, so that makes him a nice fit on the wing. Appleton also had 44 assists last year with the Moose which would definitely pair well with Laine on the other side.

Lemieux played in nine games for the Jets this past season after getting called up multiple times throughout the year. He might be ready for the jump to the NHL this next year as he totalled 43 points in 51 games with the Moose and added a whopping 170 PIM. If the Jets want to add some toughness and gritty attitude to their lineup, Lemieux would be the right choice.

 

As always, let me know your thoughts! Is Appleton ready now, or still a few years away? Would Lemieux make a nice addition to the lineup? Also, submit to your lineup combinations on Twitter to Jetsnation and they might get published as part of the series.