Yeah I know the Draft is coming up. But I don’t feel like writing a prospect preview on this muggy night. Maybe it’s the heat, but I already previewed Max Domi, and that’s the guy I want them to select IF they don’t trade up a few spots. I feel like it’s disloyal to write about other prospects now. I made my choice, and no Curtis Lazar, Rasmus Ristolainen, or Ryan Pulock can change my mind. 

Trades are happening elsewhere, but when it comes to deals involving the Jets, good luck finding something to write about. Supermoons are more common than a Kevin Cheveldayoff blockbuster. The biggest deal Cheveldayoff ever made probably had something to do with excitement over beige pants and the percentage-off he got them for. The guy is dull. Can the Jets hire Rob Ford so we can some action around here, please? 

But one of these days, the levy will break, and news will spill from the Jets office. With just 12 players under NHL contract for next season – 2 of whom are Mark Scheifele and Jacob Trouba – the Jets will at some point have to sign enough players to in order to put a full team on the Ice. Something will happen. 

And with that, both an article and a template came to mind.  Here it is – a look at the Jets in-house Free Agent picture. 

Blake Wheeler RFA – VERDICT: Keep him WHY? He’s quite good at Hockey.

Bryan Little  RFA – VERDICT: Sign him as well. It’s not my money – spend liberaly. WHY? You won’t find a better Center on the market this year.

Alex Burmistrov RFA – VERDICT: Sign him! Or trade him! I like him, but I can be convinced a better player could be acquied through trade for him WHY? He’s the perfect match for an un-happy prospect swap. Maybe the Jets can gets some grumpy yet relatively produtive high ceiling kid in return. Or Alex Steen. Signing him is also fine with me. Again, not my cash.

Eric Tangradi RFA – VERDCT: Meh, keep him, actually. If he’s a 4th liner on the 2013/2014 Winnipeg Jets, that’s not a bad thing at all. WHY? He proved himself not to be a total liabilty, which is a near asset in my books.

Nik Antropov UFA – VERDICT: Sayonora. WHY? Because that’s the Japanese word for goodbye.

Kyle Wellwood UFA – VERDICT: If he wants to come back play on the 3rd line for under 2 million dollars, he should. WHY? He’s a good top 9 forward for a Team to have. Bad top 6, though.

Mike Santorelli UFA – VERDICT: You’re outta here!! WHY? I got distracted watching baseball highlights showing John Farrell getting booted from a game for one, and two, If there was anything that made Mike Santorelli stand out as an NHL player, it would be news to me. I wish him all the best in life, just not on the Jets.

Antii Miettinen UFA – VERDICT: Guilty of not being a good Winnipeg Jet. WHY? His suckage levels were higher than anyone could have guessed; almost Edmonton’ian levels of bad. (Oilers dig!)

Zach Bogosian RFA – VERDICT: Keep him at all costs! WHY? He reminds me of Duncan Keith and Keith Seabrook in one person when he’s on his game. 

Zach Redmond RFA – VERDICT: Bring him back! WHY? He was making a mark before his terrible injury. I think a bond was made between team and player through this near death experience. This kid could be something.

Paul Postma RFA – VERDICT: May as well keep him WHY? I don’t think he’d get much in trade, and he may still develop into a reliable bottom pairing defender in time, if not more.

Arturs Kulda RFA – VERDICT: Hung jury WHY? Some stray strand of brain activity keeps naging at me at how I’ve never seen the guy play and can’t make a reasonable judgement on him. It’s right. That said, may as well sign him and hope he’s the next Bobby Orr.

Ron Hainsey UFA – VERDICT: Take a Hike WHY? Byfuglien, Enstrom, Bogosian, Trouba, and Stuart. The 6th guy doesn’t need to be a 3M+ Ron Hainsey.

Grant Clitsome UFA – VERDICT; They will re-sign him. In fact, I’ll put $3 he’s the first re-signing of the season. WHY? Because I think the management team thinks they unearthed themselves a real gem here. Whether they did or not is up for interpretation, but I like what he brought to the table.

Al Montoya UFA – VERDICT: He was fine, but totally replaceable. WHY? Even though his numbers weren’t bad, he’s not the kind of guy I’d want to shoulder the load should for a good period of time should something ever happen to Pavelec. I think they need a reliable veteran who’s started before in his younger days. A Vokoun’esque backup.

 

So, there it is. Remember to print this out for your own records. Let us know what you think of who should stay and who should go.