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JN AirMail: April 4, 2016
Apr 4, 2016, 19:48 EDTUpdated: Invalid DateTime
As always you can have your questions related to the Jets or hockey
in general to this little weekly main-in segment we do here at Jets
Nation.
in general to this little weekly main-in segment we do here at Jets
Nation.
How you may ask? Well you can tweet us and make sure you add the #JNAirMail hashtag so it won’t be missed or you can direct
message us on Twitter, ask away on our Facebook page OR e-mail us at
JNAirMail@shaw.ca
message us on Twitter, ask away on our Facebook page OR e-mail us at
JNAirMail@shaw.ca
Michael asks: What about #18 on the wing next year for an 18-55-26 top line?
It’s an interesting idea – especially if they happen to be so lucky to draft some Arizona kid playing in the Swiss League who happens to be a center himself – and there is nothing saying Paul Maurice won’t tinker with that idea this fall, but the chances of seeing this line is quite slim. For starters, I don’t think you want to break up the magic that has been Scheifele, Wheeler and Ehlers. I’m almost certain that’s your top line for next season.
On top of that, has Little ever played wing? If he has, it’s never been with any consistency so there would be an adjustment period for him.
And one last little kaviat: Little’s career faceoff percentage is higher that Scheifele’s so perhaps 55 should maybe be the one going to the wing?
Nah, file this one away as a decent idea, but an idea that won’t happen.
Kyle asks: What are the three things the Jets need to take care of this summer?
This is strictly one guy’s opinion so take it for what it’s worth. I’m sure there are multiple opinions which is of course the beauty of hockey…
1) Get a
top two pairing quality LHD. Buff, Myers and Trouba and are right handed shots
and that’s a pretty solid trio to have on the right side of the blue-line. Postma is also a RHD and he would be ideally used as a 3rd pairing d-man. The
issue is on the left side where Enstrom is the only quality left handed shot
while Stuart and Chiarot are the other two LHD on the Jets roster and neither
of them are good options to take one of the top two defensive pairings.
top two pairing quality LHD. Buff, Myers and Trouba and are right handed shots
and that’s a pretty solid trio to have on the right side of the blue-line. Postma is also a RHD and he would be ideally used as a 3rd pairing d-man. The
issue is on the left side where Enstrom is the only quality left handed shot
while Stuart and Chiarot are the other two LHD on the Jets roster and neither
of them are good options to take one of the top two defensive pairings.
Josh Morrissey is perhaps the only high level LHD prospect that could be coming down the pipe that you may be able to pencil in to a top two pairing in a couple of seasons, but definitely not next season. The left side of the
ice was a weakness that multiple opposing teams took advantage of this season
in both gaining access to the Jets zone and staying in it setting up a cycle.
It would be nice to see the Jets take care of this during the summer.
ice was a weakness that multiple opposing teams took advantage of this season
in both gaining access to the Jets zone and staying in it setting up a cycle.
It would be nice to see the Jets take care of this during the summer.
2)
Deal with the goaltending situation. I think it’s obvious that Hellebuyck is ready for the
NHL – his stint this year with the 14 consecutive starts and leading the team
in save percentage and wins I think kind of proves it – and I don’t see the
point in keeping him in Manitoba to start the 2016-17 season.
Deal with the goaltending situation. I think it’s obvious that Hellebuyck is ready for the
NHL – his stint this year with the 14 consecutive starts and leading the team
in save percentage and wins I think kind of proves it – and I don’t see the
point in keeping him in Manitoba to start the 2016-17 season.
They certainly
could do nothing this summer, go into camp and decide that Hellebuyck and
Pavelec are the new duo and that Hutchinson should start the season with the
Moose, but Hutch would have to clear waivers to be sent down. Granted it’s only a
small risk that another team would claim him (most teams have their goalies set
coming out of camp) but it’s a risk they don’t need to take if they are pro-active
this summer. Don’t forget there is an expansion draft coming up and with only
one goalie available to be protected, the Jets again would risk losing someone for
nothing.
could do nothing this summer, go into camp and decide that Hellebuyck and
Pavelec are the new duo and that Hutchinson should start the season with the
Moose, but Hutch would have to clear waivers to be sent down. Granted it’s only a
small risk that another team would claim him (most teams have their goalies set
coming out of camp) but it’s a risk they don’t need to take if they are pro-active
this summer. Don’t forget there is an expansion draft coming up and with only
one goalie available to be protected, the Jets again would risk losing someone for
nothing.
Jets management seems to be more of a reactive group when it comes to roster decisions. It would be nice to see them be proactive for once.
3) Take
care of forward depth. Time to undo the wrongs of the 2015 off-season where
Chevy had the ability to retain the likes of Lee Stempniak and Jiri Tlusty and
let them walk for nothing. They gambled that the youth would be ready to step up
along with the likes of Thorburn and Peluso and that gamble didn’t pay off. If
the Jets are serious about contending for a playoff spot next season, they need
more depth on the bottom six forwards. Keep in mind though the chances the Jets
do this are slim as it seems they are contend with loading the bottom six with
youth (and Thorburn) and suffering the consequences.
care of forward depth. Time to undo the wrongs of the 2015 off-season where
Chevy had the ability to retain the likes of Lee Stempniak and Jiri Tlusty and
let them walk for nothing. They gambled that the youth would be ready to step up
along with the likes of Thorburn and Peluso and that gamble didn’t pay off. If
the Jets are serious about contending for a playoff spot next season, they need
more depth on the bottom six forwards. Keep in mind though the chances the Jets
do this are slim as it seems they are contend with loading the bottom six with
youth (and Thorburn) and suffering the consequences.
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