Jets Nation Round Table: The Conference Finals Edition
7 years ago
Welcome to this week’s round table discussion where we talk about almost everything under the sun that’s hockey related. Take a read in between playoff games!
In the WWYDW I asked what should be done with the 22nd overall pick. What would you do with it?
Garret: Unless something nutty happens, like someone the Jets have in their top 5 falling into the mid-to-late teens: BPA, BPA, BPA. Draft the Best Player Available. Building a team is a game where you need to acquire and develop more talent than the rest of the league. Get the most value you can out of the free lottery tickets you are given. These prospects are likely about four-to-five years on average to making a significant impact and what is organizational need could just as easily be changed by then as it could be the same. I’m not against trading back to acquire more lottery tickets, since teams that trade back tend to gain more value than those that do not in the 5th-40th range.
Cody B: The 22nd overall pick gives the Jets plenty of options, and could be the most interesting pick in play on draft day. I think the decision can’t be made at this moment as we do not know who will be left on the board. When it gets to the 22nd pick at the draft, if a dynamic player all of a sudden drops further than expected, the Jets should snag them at this spot, IE Dante Fabbro etc. If there are no A list prospects available, the Jets should try and trade the pick and a prospect for a solid left shot defenseman. They could also trade down and receive an adequate defenseman and take someone who they think will still be there like Brett Howden.
Cammers: As much as I want to have a plan for that pick, have to go with best player available. There’s too much risk with trying to fill positional needs with lower picks, even though the pick is still in the first round of the draft. Like Garret said, these players drafted in the lower rounds are more likely to have an impact a few seasons after they are drafted when the position is most likely filled.
It’s the Conference Finals. What has surprised you so far?
Cody B: The biggest surprise so far for me has been the depth of the Pittsburgh Penguins. When I think of the Pens I think Crosby and Malkin. Beating New York wasn’t a big shock, but downing the Capitals and looking solid against the Lightning has been surprising. With 3 great scoring lines, the Pens are a tough team to match up against. It will be interesting to see what happens if they face a tough team in the West like San Jose or St Louis.
Garret: When anything is possible, you don’t get as surprised as you once did. The only round that has really surprised me was the Florida Panthers versus Tavares… I mean New York Islanders. I mean I was betting on Anaheim going one more round than they did, but this year’s playoffs has not been much of a shocker, and very good to my gambling pockets ;).
Cammers: I was a little surprised with Washington and the Islanders, but the teams coming out of the West are the teams I expected and hoped for. What has really surprised me is the speed of the teams winning and the size of players. Teams are going to have to plan to counter speed even more and give smaller players a bigger shot..
What is one rule you would change in the NHL?
Cody B: This is a tough question. Everybody wants more scoring, but with the way teams focus on defence and systems, I’m not sure a single rule could change this. I’m not even sure that the “lack” of scoring is a problem, hockey is an exciting sport to watch. The one rule I would get rid of is the trapezoid behind the net. Let the goalies play the puck! Goalies could then come out and move it if they wanted, and could help defensmen coming back. Getting a penalty for playing it the corner is ridiculous.
Garret: Smaller goalies and larger nets… just kidding. More calls on when defenders are interfering with attacking forwards when the puck gets chipped past them. Should be interference and it annoys me as it kills offensive drive. I have toyed with the idea of abolishing offsides too.
Cammers: I would be interested in seeing icing on penalties. There would be more powerplay goals, but I suspect there would be an increase in shorthanded scoring. Teams would have to develop better plays to get the puck out of their own end once they gain possession, which could result in them keeping possession into the other end. I just think of the Sedins when they get the puck on the penalty kill, but they’re another topic.
Recent articles from Cam Farquharson
