Better know a prospect – Paul Postma

Fall 2011 – #4

Winter 2012 – #3

It could easily be argued that Paul Postma is indeed the top prospect in the Winnipeg Jets organization. Young, skilled defensemen quite simply are very hard to come by. The Jets organization are flush with young (ish) talent on the blue line in Winnipeg and that has enabled them to be very patient with Postma and let him further his development in St. John’s. If a spot opens up for him next fall, he should be more than ready to grab it.

 Paul Postma was the 7^th last player picked in the entire 2007 entry draft, 205^th overall. (Remember that on Monday when you see a bunch of 5^th round picks go flying around and you don’t really care) A player going in the last round and making it into one game in the NHL is very rare indeed, and I would suggest that there is quite a bit more to come from Mr. Postma.  At 6’ 3” and 195 pounds, he is still a bit gangly for an NHL defensemen and at the age of 23 it remains to be seen if he will fill out at all. He has been able to put on 10 pounds in the last year knowing that he needs a bit more weight to compete at the NHL level.

That being said, Postma’s game is more about offense and he has delivered again this year in the AHL. As of February 26^th, Postma is tied for the league lead in goals with 11 and third overall in points among defensemen with 37 points in 45 games. His performance earned him his second consecutive AHL All Star game. Last season as a member of the Chicago Wolves, Postma was tied for 12^th in AHL scoring among D men (ahead of Wade Redden) so the arrows are pointing in the right direction.

Paul Postma played parts of five seasons in the WHL, first as a member of the Swift Current Broncos and then was traded to the Calgary Hitmen for his final two seasons. Postma blossomed in Calgary were he put up 42 points his first year and then a remarkable 84 in his last season in the ‘Dub. He also scored 5 goals and 13 points in 18 playoff games that spring. The 84 points that included 23 goals set Hitmen records for goals and points by a defenseman. Postma was nominated for the top D man award, was named an All-Star, and won the top Plus Minus award. Not bad for a 7^th round pick…

Old scouting reports are hard to find at the best of times, finding them for a player that was drafted in the 7^th round is almost impossible…and to be honest, probably useless. Postma has developed so much in the last 4 years that anything written about him prior to 2009 almost has no bearing. Postma’s best asset would seem to be his shot. In 2010, then coach Don Lever suggested that he might have the hardest shot in the AHL. At the most recent all star skills competition Postma finished second recording 98.9 miles per hour on the radar gun. With Dustin Byfuglien and Zach Bogosian possessing cannons as well, the Winnipeg Jets could have an even better power play next year if Postma makes the team. He is also a right-handed shot which would be perfect for the 3^rd line as well.

Make no mistake, Postma is not yet a “three zone” player as of yet as his earlier call up to the NHL suggest. With continued development though through the rest of this season and hopefully a long playoff run, we should see him push for the 6 and 7 spot in the NHL next year.