Jets Re-Assign Eight To Moose Including Ondrej Pavelec

Analysis

• An end of an era for the Jets with Pavelec – the team’s defacto starting goalie for the first five seasons in Winnipeg – being waived. We knew there was a ‘shoe to drop’ with the Jets goaltending situation, but many of us had assumed that the season would start with Pavelec and Michael Hutchinson with Connor Hellebuyck in the AHL as he was the one goalie within that trio that didn’t need to clear waivers. The problem was it was very obvious to anyone with working eyes that Hutch and Helle were likely better options in goal. Pavelec did post a 31 save shutout in his one preseason appearance against the Calgary Flames, but the Flames hit the post four times in that game and Pavs was constantly was flopping around the ice and out of position.

• Brian Strait was signed by the Jets over the summer with the idea that he would be added depth on the blueline be it on the bottom pairing or as the team’s 7th defenseman. Neither of those things are obviously happening now and it’s likely for the best as he was simply awful at trying to help move the puck out of his zone and had a stretch of three minor penalties taken in two games – obviously not a good stat to have for a team looking to cut down how many penalties it took from last season.

• Anthony Peluso was the last “really notable” name on that list. It’s simply a case of Peluso not being able to bring anything to the team other than the ability to punch people in the face which is what the league has been going away from the last few years but only seems to be that the Jets have figured out this year. With the likes of Thorburn and Stuart still on the team, that was more than enough “grit” for the club.

• Andrew Copp and Marko Dano had to be “close” to making the team and don’t be shocked if both are called back up to the main club sooner rather than later. Both had solid camps, but with the youth that is already staying on the team the coaching staff may have felt better going with veterans like Thorburn and Shawn Matthias to start the season.

• Let’s talk about who is still on the club! Joel Armia, Kyle Connor and Brandon Tanev to be specific. All three had great camps, but past history has shown that even a great camp by a rookie didn’t always equal a spot on the Jets main roster. Connor’s scoring prowess and ability to play along side top players like Blake Wheeler and Brian Little and not look out of place at all punched his ticket. Armia has displayed a real comfort level in playing a bottom six forward role with the potential to chip in some offense. Tanev is the pleasant surprise of Jets camp as he constantly made smart plays and was still displaying a willingness to hustle and be a thorn in the side of opposing players.