Future Plans: Dec. 9, 2014
9 years ago
No matter how good or poor a
team is playing, fans always seem to be concerned about a team’s prospect list and
who will be the next player to make a difference on the team. The Jets’
faithful are no different
team is playing, fans always seem to be concerned about a team’s prospect list and
who will be the next player to make a difference on the team. The Jets’
faithful are no different
In the past two weeks since our
last Future Plans, Winnipeg’s AHL affiliate the St. John’s IceCaps had a rough
spell being shutout in three of five games and scoring just seven goals in
their two victories.
last Future Plans, Winnipeg’s AHL affiliate the St. John’s IceCaps had a rough
spell being shutout in three of five games and scoring just seven goals in
their two victories.
Below is a list of Winnipeg’s
top 10 prospects over the past two weeks, and reasons that they are positioned
where they are on the list.
top 10 prospects over the past two weeks, and reasons that they are positioned
where they are on the list.
NOTE: I consider a Jets
prospect to be any player whose rights are owned by the Jets and have not yet
played 50 games in the NHL.
prospect to be any player whose rights are owned by the Jets and have not yet
played 50 games in the NHL.
Sorry this is a day late, I
promise it wont happen again.
promise it wont happen again.
Without further adieu, lets get
started.
started.
#10: Axel Blomqvist – RW,
Victoria Royals (WHL) [Last Ranking: NR]
The fresh face of the week is the giant Swedish winger, who is currently
sitting at a point-per-game this season (26p in 26gp). The 6’6 forward had a
great two weeks for his Royals netting three goals and three assists in five
games. I’m shocked Sweden did not invite Blomqvist to their WJC camp. They
could use a guy like him.
Victoria Royals (WHL) [Last Ranking: NR]
The fresh face of the week is the giant Swedish winger, who is currently
sitting at a point-per-game this season (26p in 26gp). The 6’6 forward had a
great two weeks for his Royals netting three goals and three assists in five
games. I’m shocked Sweden did not invite Blomqvist to their WJC camp. They
could use a guy like him.
#9: Connor Hellebuyck – G, St.
John’s IceCaps (AHL) [Last Ranking: 7th]
Hellebuyck starts our drop off for the IceCaps prospects. In five starts Connor
lost three games, saw his GAA rise to 1.72 and his SV% drop to .939. Not a good
way to follow up five wins in six game in our last rankings.
John’s IceCaps (AHL) [Last Ranking: 7th]
Hellebuyck starts our drop off for the IceCaps prospects. In five starts Connor
lost three games, saw his GAA rise to 1.72 and his SV% drop to .939. Not a good
way to follow up five wins in six game in our last rankings.
#8: Carl Klingberg – LW, St.
John’s IceCaps (AHL) [Last Ranking: 6th]
Klingberg has started a steady drop off on our list, dropping from 3rd
(Oct. 27, 2014) all the way to 8th this week. In the IceCaps past
five games, the Swede managed just one assist, but remained an even 0 in the
plus/minus category. Hopefully Klingberg and the rest of the IceCaps can turn
it around fast.
John’s IceCaps (AHL) [Last Ranking: 6th]
Klingberg has started a steady drop off on our list, dropping from 3rd
(Oct. 27, 2014) all the way to 8th this week. In the IceCaps past
five games, the Swede managed just one assist, but remained an even 0 in the
plus/minus category. Hopefully Klingberg and the rest of the IceCaps can turn
it around fast.
#7: Eric O’Dell – C, St. John’s
IceCaps (AHL) [Last Ranking: 4th]
O’Dell falls into the same category as the rest of his IceCaps teammates, he
fell flat in a two week span. Because of his single assist in five games he
drops, but is still my choice as the first forward call up when another Jets
forward goes down. (NOT CORMIER!)
IceCaps (AHL) [Last Ranking: 4th]
O’Dell falls into the same category as the rest of his IceCaps teammates, he
fell flat in a two week span. Because of his single assist in five games he
drops, but is still my choice as the first forward call up when another Jets
forward goes down. (NOT CORMIER!)
#6: Chase De Leo – C, Portland
Winterhawks (WHL) [Last Ranking: 10th]
De Leo as well as out next two prospects’ raise comes not only because of their
recent play but the rough two weeks St. John’s IceCaps players had. The speedy
forward had a goal and nine assists for his Winterhawks these past two weeks.
De Leo, like his teammate Nic Petan was named to his countries selection camp
for the World Junior Championships this coming Christmas season.
Winterhawks (WHL) [Last Ranking: 10th]
De Leo as well as out next two prospects’ raise comes not only because of their
recent play but the rough two weeks St. John’s IceCaps players had. The speedy
forward had a goal and nine assists for his Winterhawks these past two weeks.
De Leo, like his teammate Nic Petan was named to his countries selection camp
for the World Junior Championships this coming Christmas season.
#5: Jimmy Lodge – C,
Mississauga Steelheads (OHL) [Last Ranking: 9th]
Lodge, like De Leo moves up due to his own strong play. The hard-working centre
from Pennsylvania has become a leading contributor on his new OHL team, netting
four goals and three assists in six games. He is currently riding a five-game
point streak, but will unfortunately not be joining Chase De Leo at USA’s WJC
selection camp this month.
Mississauga Steelheads (OHL) [Last Ranking: 9th]
Lodge, like De Leo moves up due to his own strong play. The hard-working centre
from Pennsylvania has become a leading contributor on his new OHL team, netting
four goals and three assists in six games. He is currently riding a five-game
point streak, but will unfortunately not be joining Chase De Leo at USA’s WJC
selection camp this month.
#4: Andrew Copp – C, U. of
Michigan Wolverines (NCAA) [Last Ranking: 5th]
As the NCAA season nears its winter break, Copp and his Michigan Wolverines
will be playing less and less in the coming weeks. In the past two weeks, Copp
only played three games, but netted two goals and an assist in that time. Copp
was also named the first start of his last game where he scored his two goals
and extended his point streak to two games.
Michigan Wolverines (NCAA) [Last Ranking: 5th]
As the NCAA season nears its winter break, Copp and his Michigan Wolverines
will be playing less and less in the coming weeks. In the past two weeks, Copp
only played three games, but netted two goals and an assist in that time. Copp
was also named the first start of his last game where he scored his two goals
and extended his point streak to two games.
#3: Josh Morrissey – D, Prince
Albert Raiders (WHL) [Last Ranking: 3rd]
The first first-round selection on our list is enjoying a successful fourth
year in Prince Albert. Over the past two weeks Morrissey potted one goal and
added four helpers in seven games. Morrissey was also named to Canada’s World
Junior camp, where he will be looking for a chance to represent his country for
a second time in this tournament. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s named captain
of the team as well.
Albert Raiders (WHL) [Last Ranking: 3rd]
The first first-round selection on our list is enjoying a successful fourth
year in Prince Albert. Over the past two weeks Morrissey potted one goal and
added four helpers in seven games. Morrissey was also named to Canada’s World
Junior camp, where he will be looking for a chance to represent his country for
a second time in this tournament. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s named captain
of the team as well.
#2: Nicolas Petan – C, Portland
Winterhawks (WHL) [Last Ranking: 2nd]
Since starting the season with nine losses in 10 games, Portland has been one
of the strongest teams in the WHL as of late. Nic Petan has been one of the
reasons for Portland’s strong November, adding a pair of goals and eight
assists in the past two weeks. Petan will be looking to help Canada redeem
itself at the World Juniors after failing to medal in last year’s tournament.
Winterhawks (WHL) [Last Ranking: 2nd]
Since starting the season with nine losses in 10 games, Portland has been one
of the strongest teams in the WHL as of late. Nic Petan has been one of the
reasons for Portland’s strong November, adding a pair of goals and eight
assists in the past two weeks. Petan will be looking to help Canada redeem
itself at the World Juniors after failing to medal in last year’s tournament.
#1: Nikolaj Ehlers – LW,
Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) [Last Ranking: 1st]
Yet again Ehlers sits atop my Jets prospects list, but he is making it really
difficult for me to move him, (not that I or an Jets fans want me to.) In five
games the Danish forward had five goals and 12 assists, was a +5 and extended
his point streak to 15 games. With the World Junior Championships fast
approaching, he is going to be a player that the world will come to know.
Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) [Last Ranking: 1st]
Yet again Ehlers sits atop my Jets prospects list, but he is making it really
difficult for me to move him, (not that I or an Jets fans want me to.) In five
games the Danish forward had five goals and 12 assists, was a +5 and extended
his point streak to 15 games. With the World Junior Championships fast
approaching, he is going to be a player that the world will come to know.
SUMMARY
Who’s In: Axel Blomqvist (10)
Who’s Out: J.C. Lipon (8)
Total Goaltenders: 1
Total Defencemen: 1
Total Centremen: 6
Total Wingers: 2
Who’s Out: J.C. Lipon (8)
Total Goaltenders: 1
Total Defencemen: 1
Total Centremen: 6
Total Wingers: 2
Now don’t forget, this is just
my opinion, and I would like to know yours. Who do you think is Winnipeg’s top
prospect? Is there a player not on a list you think should be? Who would you
replace them with from this list? Be sure to leave your thoughts and opinions
in the comments section bellow.
my opinion, and I would like to know yours. Who do you think is Winnipeg’s top
prospect? Is there a player not on a list you think should be? Who would you
replace them with from this list? Be sure to leave your thoughts and opinions
in the comments section bellow.
Until next time,
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