Today’s Logbook looks at Marko Dano, a forward who was part of the Andrew Ladd trade with Chicago and was a highly thought of prospect, but hasn’t been able to properly crack the Jets NHL lineup.

 

In the Jets first full season with Dano in 2016-17 it could be argued that while his numbers were not the best, he wasn’t truly given enough ice time to show what he could really do and that if given the chance he could still turn out to be a solid bottom six forward that could play physical but also provide some offense.

We can pretty much say the say the same thing about him as well this season, but with the added caveat that other players – possibly more talented than him – have passed him by.

If you search Dano here on JetsNation, you’ll note that every article we have about him features the same picture and while initially that wasn’t intentional, I actually made the decision to use it again for this article because in a way it’s rather fitting. We’ve seen him kind of stagnate now for two seasons with the Jets and while we’re hoping for a breakthrough, it just hasn’t happened.

He was essentially given a one year “show me” type deal last summer by the Jets but he was never really given much of a chance to show anything beyond practices and game day skates. Maybe it’s something the coaches see in his practice habits, or perhaps they are more enamored with players like Andrew Copp and Joel Armia. Dano can play a strong game where his hustle and physical play can help a fourth line, but when you have players in your system like Copp and Armia who can play the same kind of game that Dano can, only with a higher level of consistency… Well, that leaves Dano in the press box and a contract that won’t allow the Jets to send him to the AHL without a risk of losing him for nothing in return to another team.

Dano did not appear in the playoffs for the Jets

Dano is in this really strange place right now where it would be nice if the Jets hung on to him because at the age of 23 there is still potential that could be developed, but to qualify him the Jets would have to offer him a $892,500 deal which would only be a one-way contract which in turn is the reason why he’s was limited to 23 total games played this season. It would be very ideal to have him in the AHL and at least playing and working on his game.

If the Jets do keep him, he’d not only have to worry about Copp and Armia ahead of him on the depth chart, but likely Jack Roslovic and maybe even Brendan Lemieux who might pass him on the chart as well.

Chances are we won’t see Dano with the Jets next season, unless they can work out a two-way contract.