Jets make the right call in recalling Marko Dano

The Injury bug has hit the Jets forwards seven games in to the season and Winnipeg is in need of reinforcements up front. Luckily for Winnipeg, the plethora of young talent they have developing with the Manitoba Moose can jump in and provide assistance on a whim. The Jets have recalled Marko Dano from the Manitoba Moose to help make up for the loss of Bryan Little and Drew Stafford for the rest of the Jets road trip.

What’s to make of the call up?

Dano, 21, was expected to crack the Jets final roster by some but was sent to the Moose at the end of camp. Of all the talented prospects the Jets have playing with the Moose, Dano has displayed the most offensive skill the NHL level thus far.  In a combined 69 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Chicago Blackhawks and a brief stint with the Jets last year, Dano has accumulated a total of 31 points in that span. 

There are a few different avenues the Jets could have gone with this call-up. The Moose could have gone with familiarity and re-called Andrew Copp, who played 77 games with the Jets last season. The argument for calling up Copp would be his face-off ability, defensive game and overall comfort level with the coaches, teammates etc. The problem with bringing Copp back in to the fold is the limited offensive game he has. The Jets have injuries to two offensively minded players in Bryan Little and Drew Stafford, they are seeking scoring, not face-offs and bottom six talent. You don’t need to have both Adam Lowry and Andrew Copp in your lineup.

Talent is clearly what the Jets needed to re-call from the Moose, if not Dano, the Jets could’ve given a shout to many of their players. A wildcard could have been Jack Roslovic. Roslovic leads the Moose in points as it stands right now with six points in six contests. The Miami-Ohio alumn is off to a great start in his first AHL season but a call-up six games in could be overwhelming for the first time pro. The Jets need someone that they know can preform at the NHL level, Dano has proved that before. 

Calling up Dano provides the Jets with experience, skill, comfortability, and someone that can step in to the top-nine and produce. One would hope that Dano can get some ice time with the Jets and isn’t warming the seat in the press-box for Chris Thorburn.