2016-17 roster

[Arthur Fonzarelli]

So what? That was then. This is now. If Stafford is moved Thor could move up to 13 on the depth chart. If not then he is 14. The gap between him and 12 is wide enough that at least 2 Moose players would fit in before he does.

Are we tanking?

That would be the only way I could interpret that lineup.

I certainly agree that Thor does rank as low as you suggest on the depth chart, but it certainly doesn't predict his relegation to the press box in 2016-2017.

There have been many questionable moves by the organization with regards to playing veterans over youth. Thorburn, Slater, Jokinen, Stuart, even Antronov are all glaring examples. What each have in common is their training habits & I firmly believe True North has a history of allowing work ethic to trump talent for roster positions in every situation. They clearly want this to be the example of what it means to be a Winnipeg Jet. Peluso is the ultimate example of a player who's owes his pro existence to his work in the gym.

Perhaps you're right & this will be the year that Thorburn & Stuart take a back seat, but I doubt it. Only Wheeler, Ladd, Byfuglien & Little have played more games for Jets 2.0 than Thorburn & Stuart. If the goal here is to predict the 2016-2017 roster, nearly etched in stone is Thor at 4th line RW & Stuart as 3rd pairing LD.

With Burmistrov, Ehlers, Little, Perrault, Scheifele, Stafford & Wheeler all being locks, Thorburn being gifted a spot & Armia no longer being waiver exempt, the only three spots uncertain in my eyes currently belong to Dano, Lowry & Copp.

One of the more astute moves Chevy made last season was sending Lowry down to the AHL. Had this not occurred he would likely have surpassed the 160 game threshold & been subject to waivers at the beginning of next season. Instead he's played 154 games which will certainly could provide some wiggle room in deciding where Connor, Laine, Dano, Petan, Lowry, Copp, Lemieux & Lipon belong. There's no room for all eight on next years roster without a trade occurring to those I've highlighted as locks.

Nylander, Theodore, Kamenev, & Rantanen spent either all or a good portion of last season in the AHL. There's no reason to think an organization with "It all starts here" as their slogan wouldn't at least consider starting Connor or Laine in the AHL where they can receive 1st line minutes immediately.

 

[donut]

Random question from a VAN fan...

How did Brandon Tanev do in his 3 games with the Jets? Will they sign him to a new contract? Does he start in the NHL or AHL? Curious to hear what Jets fan make of him.

 

[Board Bard]

Random question from a VAN fan...

How did Brandon Tanev do in his 3 games with the Jets? Will they sign him to a new contract? Does he start in the NHL or AHL? Curious to hear what Jets fan make of him.

Tanev was like Matt Halischuk lite IMO. I don't think that opinion is widely shared here though. If they sign him, I hope it's a two-way.

 

[surixon]

Random question from a VAN fan...

How did Brandon Tanev do in his 3 games with the Jets? Will they sign him to a new contract? Does he start in the NHL or AHL? Curious to hear what Jets fan make of him.

I thought he acquitted himself quite well. I think he is in the running to compete for one of the depth forward spots on the roster next year but he will have to beat out some good players for it.

 

[SLAYER]

I thought he acquitted himself quite well. I think he is in the running to compete for one of the depth forward spots on the roster next year but he will have to beat out some good players for it.

Agreed. Training camp this fall is going to have some intense competition, if Tanev makes the Jets, he's going to be beating out some decent prospects for a depth position. Although if I was a betting man (which I am), I'd bet on Tanev starting down on the Moose.

 

[Coach G]

Random question from a VAN fan...

How did Brandon Tanev do in his 3 games with the Jets? Will they sign him to a new contract? Does he start in the NHL or AHL? Curious to hear what Jets fan make of him.

I think we all liked him; good motor, so to speak, and a solid awareness of the ice and his responsibilities.
If HFB posters know anything (which is not at all a foregone conclusion), he is 100% with the Moose next year. I haven't seen a single proposed lineup with him in it; barring some trades, we just have too many good young forwards fighting for spots.

 

[Aavco Cup]

Tanev was like Matt Halischuk lite IMO. I don't think that opinion is widely shared here though. If they sign him, I hope it's a two-way.

He will get a two way qualifying offer. Not sure if he makes the opening day roster. I would guess he begins with the Mooses.

 

[Howard Chuck]

I certainly agree that Thor does rank as low as you suggest on the depth chart, but it certainly doesn't predict his relegation to the press box in 2016-2017.

There have been many questionable moves by the organization with regards to playing veterans over youth. Thorburn, Slater, Jokinen, Stuart, even Antronov are all glaring examples. What each have in common is their training habits & I firmly believe True North has a history of allowing work ethic to trump talent for roster positions in every situation. They clearly want this to be the example of what it means to be a Winnipeg Jet. Peluso is the ultimate example of a player who's owes his pro existence to his work in the gym.

Perhaps you're right & this will be the year that Thorburn & Stuart take a back seat, but I doubt it. Only Wheeler, Ladd, Byfuglien & Little have played more games for Jets 2.0 than Thorburn & Stuart. If the goal here is to predict the 2016-2017 roster, nearly etched in stone is Thor at 4th line RW & Stuart as 3rd pairing LD.

With Burmistrov, Ehlers, Little, Perrault, Scheifele, Stafford & Wheeler all being locks, Thorburn being gifted a spot & Armia no longer being waiver exempt, the only three spots uncertain in my eyes currently belong to Dano, Lowry & Copp.

One of the more astute moves Chevy made last season was sending Lowry down to the AHL. Had this not occurred he would likely have surpassed the 160 game threshold & been subject to waivers at the beginning of next season. Instead he's played 154 games which will certainly could provide some wiggle room in deciding where Connor, Laine, Dano, Petan, Lowry, Copp, Lemieux & Lipon belong. There's no room for all eight on next years roster without a trade occurring to those I've highlighted as locks.

Nylander, Theodore, Kamenev, & Rantanen spent either all or a good portion of last season in the AHL. There's no reason to think an organization with "It all starts here" as their slogan wouldn't at least consider starting Connor or Laine in the AHL where they can receive 1st line minutes immediately.

Every time I see a (well thought out) post like this one, I think we will be seeing a trade at the draft. We have so many good, bordering on very good, prospects that we just can't fit into our lineup without stocking the Moose to the gills (if moose had gills).

 

[donut]

Tanev was like Matt Halischuk lite IMO. I don't think that opinion is widely shared here though. If they sign him, I hope it's a two-way.

I thought he acquitted himself quite well. I think he is in the running to compete for one of the depth forward spots on the roster next year but he will have to beat out some good players for it.

Agreed. Training camp this fall is going to have some intense competition, if Tanev makes the Jets, he's going to be beating out some decent prospects for a depth position. Although if I was a betting man (which I am), I'd bet on Tanev starting down on the Moose.

I think we all liked him; good motor, so to speak, and a solid awareness of the ice and his responsibilities.
If HFB posters know anything (which is not at all a foregone conclusion), he is 100% with the Moose next year. I haven't seen a single proposed lineup with him in it; barring some trades, we just have too many good young forwards fighting for spots.

I'd imagine he'll probably be a top-6 forward with the Moose? I didn't expect him to make it right out of the NCAA, especially with the number of young guys WPG has.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

I certainly agree that Thor does rank as low as you suggest on the depth chart, but it certainly doesn't predict his relegation to the press box in 2016-2017.

There have been many questionable moves by the organization with regards to playing veterans over youth. Thorburn, Slater, Jokinen, Stuart, even Antronov are all glaring examples. What each have in common is their training habits & I firmly believe True North has a history of allowing work ethic to trump talent for roster positions in every situation. They clearly want this to be the example of what it means to be a Winnipeg Jet. Peluso is the ultimate example of a player who's owes his pro existence to his work in the gym.

Perhaps you're right & this will be the year that Thorburn & Stuart take a back seat, but I doubt it. Only Wheeler, Ladd, Byfuglien & Little have played more games for Jets 2.0 than Thorburn & Stuart. If the goal here is to predict the 2016-2017 roster, nearly etched in stone is Thor at 4th line RW & Stuart as 3rd pairing LD.

With Burmistrov, Ehlers, Little, Perrault, Scheifele, Stafford & Wheeler all being locks, Thorburn being gifted a spot & Armia no longer being waiver exempt, the only three spots uncertain in my eyes currently belong to Dano, Lowry & Copp.

One of the more astute moves Chevy made last season was sending Lowry down to the AHL. Had this not occurred he would likely have surpassed the 160 game threshold & been subject to waivers at the beginning of next season. Instead he's played 154 games which will certainly could provide some wiggle room in deciding where Connor, Laine, Dano, Petan, Lowry, Copp, Lemieux & Lipon belong. There's no room for all eight on next years roster without a trade occurring to those I've highlighted as locks.

Nylander, Theodore, Kamenev, & Rantanen spent either all or a good portion of last season in the AHL. There's no reason to think an organization with "It all starts here" as their slogan wouldn't at least consider starting Connor or Laine in the AHL where they can receive 1st line minutes immediately.

If ranking that low on the depth chart doesn't predict a PB assignment then Maurice is trying to get fired. Some of the decisions in the past were questionable and some were made by a different coach. These are not. It is beyond questionable and that is why I expect Thor and Stu pushed down. There are always caveats of course. If Morrissey flops then Stu could be in. It would still be wrong but it could happen. It is also possible that Thor starts out at 4RW. That too would be wrong but it could happen. I concede that both are possible but I don't think either is likely. Slater, Jokinen and Antropov all reached that point and Thor and Stu will too. Those 3 all had their contracts expire but they were just gone, not in the PB. I don't see Thor and Stu being moved or bought out. Just healthy scratched until their contracts expire.

None of those players you mentioned were as ready as Connor and Laine are likely to be. Leafs were deliberately keeping their good prospects in the A while they tanked this year. Rantanen was tried in the NHL to start the season but, like Petan was not ready yet. He went to the A and blossomed. Expect him in the NHL this year. The Jets might consider Laine and/or Connor in the A if either looks like they need it but there are no signs of that yet.

If the goal is to be as good a team as possible as quickly as possible Thor and Stu don't play and Pav plays very little. As long as they are on the roster playing these 3 are not Chevy's decisions. They are Mau's. If he plays those 3 over the better players we have now then he really is trying to get fired. Tanking is not a coach's decision.

 

[Coach G]

I'd imagine he'll probably be a top-6 forward with the Moose? I didn't expect him to make it right out of the NCAA, especially with the number of young guys WPG has.

That's definitely where I (and most other Moose observers, I think) would have him. He should get a chance to play with some talented players, and I expect him to be in the mix with guys like Petan, Lemieux, Lipon, and maybe Copp as a callup F. This will depend on each player's performance relative to the goals management has set for them (which we probably won't know until they actually DO get called up).

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

Random question from a VAN fan...

How did Brandon Tanev do in his 3 games with the Jets? Will they sign him to a new contract? Does he start in the NHL or AHL? Curious to hear what Jets fan make of him.

He was OK. That's all. No better than several other forward prospects we have. If he makes the NHL roster it will be as a PK specialist and I don't think he is that good at the PK. I expect they will sign him but he will start in the A on a 2 way deal.

 

[Festinator]

Throwback Thursday!

Ladd-Little-Wheeler
Kane-Antropov-Wellwood
Stapleton-Burmistrov- Jones/Miettinen/Flood
Glass-Slater-Thorburn

Byfuglien-Enstrom
Bogosian-Oduya
Stuart-Hainsey

Pavelec
Mason

 

[Mud Turtle]

Throwback Thursday!

Ladd-Little-Wheeler
Kane-Antropov-Wellwood
Stapleton-Burmistrov- Jones/Miettinen/Flood
Glass-Slater-Thorburn

Byfuglien-Enstrom
Bogosian-Oduya
Stuart-Hainsey

Pavelec
Mason

That 4th line lol.
And to think, Glass is still on someone's roster



And to think, Thorburn is still on someone's roster.

 

[kylbaz]

I would be surprised if the Jets didn't try Ladd+ for Drouin, but I highly doubt that the Lightning would have been interested.

Why don't you think they would have been interested? With stamkos down I'd figure a great veteran guy would have been ideal to add. Overall though, it seemed like Yzerman wasn't selling low, which was the right move, but not the one I was hoping for.

 

[Arthur Fonzarelli]

If ranking that low on the depth chart doesn't predict a PB assignment then Maurice is trying to get fired. Some of the decisions in the past were questionable and some were made by a different coach. These are not. It is beyond questionable and that is why I expect Thor and Stu pushed down. There are always caveats of course. If Morrissey flops then Stu could be in. It would still be wrong but it could happen. It is also possible that Thor starts out at 4RW. That too would be wrong but it could happen. I concede that both are possible but I don't think either is likely. Slater, Jokinen and Antropov all reached that point and Thor and Stu will too. Those 3 all had their contracts expire but they were just gone, not in the PB. I don't see Thor and Stu being moved or bought out. Just healthy scratched until their contracts expire.

None of those players you mentioned were as ready as Connor and Laine are likely to be. Leafs were deliberately keeping their good prospects in the A while they tanked this year. Rantanen was tried in the NHL to start the season but, like Petan was not ready yet. He went to the A and blossomed. Expect him in the NHL this year. The Jets might consider Laine and/or Connor in the A if either looks like they need it but there are no signs of that yet.

If the goal is to be as good a team as possible as quickly as possible Thor and Stu don't play and Pav plays very little. As long as they are on the roster playing these 3 are not Chevy's decisions. They are Mau's. If he plays those 3 over the better players we have now then he really is trying to get fired. Tanking is not a coach's decision.

As you mention, it took expired contracts to Jokinen, Antropov & Slater to remove them from occupying the C2-C4 positions. Why would this year be any different? Maurice is just as guilty as Noel was for playing veterans over prospects.

I doubt anyone would disagree that Stuart serves no role other than as a bottom pairing defencemen. Although some would prefer him gone, most acknowledge he's capable in this limited role. It's been his use beyond that role that have had many shaking their heads. Even if Morrissey plays lights out in camp, Enstrom & his NMC stand in his way of the first pairing, Trouba now occupies the second pairing on his offside, bringing us back to the blood & guts assistant captain who has played through nearly every injury he's faced.

I would think if Morrissey makes the team, he'd assume Trouba's position shifting him back down to 3rd pairing with Stuart & placing Postma back in the press box during his final year before becoming a UFA. After his vocal frustration in media interviews last year, I wouldn't begin to think he'd consider resigning with the Jets should that scenario play out.

Again I agree that Laine & Connor are virtually NHL ready, but that doesn't mean that even that best of prospects can't use some AHL seasoning, particularly if it's at the expense of other prospects that have little left to gain at the AHL level like Armia or Dano. I also love the fact that we have three strong offensive prospects at each forward position, Conner (LW), Petan (C), & in all likelihood Laine (RW) that could very easily one day be the #1 line in Winnipeg. Allowing these three to begin this path together as the Moose #1 line could pan out quite nicely for all involved.

What is interesting is that once the late season injuries forced Maurice into playing the prospects, the team began rolling 4 lines, the penalty minutes substantially declined, likely the biggest reason the Jets began competing in every game down to the buzzer & the reason the tank failed.

If anything perhaps these final 10-15 games awoke something in both the coaching staff & managements head that our youthful core may be far more ready than they were given credit for. With Laine & Connor added to this mix I'll admit it's quite possible that Thorburn MAY see press box duty, although every Jets 2.0 decision made up until today suggests otherwise.

 

[Festinator]

That 4th line lol.
And to think, Glass is still on someone's roster



And to think, Thorburn is still on someone's roster.

We all loved the GST line

 

[KingBogo]

If ranking that low on the depth chart doesn't predict a PB assignment then Maurice is trying to get fired. Some of the decisions in the past were questionable and some were made by a different coach. These are not. It is beyond questionable and that is why I expect Thor and Stu pushed down. There are always caveats of course. If Morrissey flops then Stu could be in. It would still be wrong but it could happen. It is also possible that Thor starts out at 4RW. That too would be wrong but it could happen. I concede that both are possible but I don't think either is likely. Slater, Jokinen and Antropov all reached that point and Thor and Stu will too. Those 3 all had their contracts expire but they were just gone, not in the PB. I don't see Thor and Stu being moved or bought out. Just healthy scratched until their contracts expire.

None of those players you mentioned were as ready as Connor and Laine are likely to be. Leafs were deliberately keeping their good prospects in the A while they tanked this year. Rantanen was tried in the NHL to start the season but, like Petan was not ready yet. He went to the A and blossomed. Expect him in the NHL this year. The Jets might consider Laine and/or Connor in the A if either looks like they need it but there are no signs of that yet.

If the goal is to be as good a team as possible as quickly as possible Thor and Stu don't play and Pav plays very little. As long as they are on the roster playing these 3 are not Chevy's decisions. They are Mau's. If he plays those 3 over the better players we have now then he really is trying to get fired. Tanking is not a coach's decision.

Agreed. There is little chance Connor starts in the A and next to no chance Laine starts in the A. Laine just got playoff MVP in the top Finnish league as a 17 y/o and is leading the WHC in scoring a couple weeks after is 18th b-day. He is one of the top players on one of the top teams in the World championship. This is what an elite player looks like. He is already a better player then most of our top prospects can ever hope to be. Just look back over the last few years to see what type of impact one of the 1st couple picks has had. As a 6.4 scoring winger with pro experience he will likely be at the top end of that.

 

[Arthur Fonzarelli]

Agreed. There is little chance Connor starts in the A and next to no chance Laine starts in the A. Laine just got playoff MVP in the top Finnish league as a 17 y/o and is leading the WHC in scoring a couple weeks after is 18th b-day. He is one of the top players on one of the top teams in the World championship. This is what an elite player looks like. He is already a better player then most of our top prospects can ever hope to be. Just look back over the last few years to see what type of impact one of the 1st couple picks has had. As a 6.4 scoring winger with pro experience he will likely be at the top end of that.

I'll assume then you expect the forward depth chart to be something like:

01. Wheeler
02. Scheifele
03. Little
04. Ehlers
05. Perrault
06. Stafford
07. Burmistrov
08. Armia
09. Thorburn
10. Lowry
11. Copp (waiver exempt)
12. Dano (waiver exempt)
13. Laine (waiver exempt)
14. Conner (waiver exempt)
15. Petan (waiver exempt)

So if Laine & Connor make the team, all three of Copp, Dano & Petan go to the Moose? I realize the team can carry more forwards, but none of 11-15 should be in the press box for any length of time. Further which top 9 forwards (other than Thor) are relegated to the 4th line?

Perhaps this indicates a potential trade, but lets not complicate things to get even further speculative.

ps. loving the fact that I no longer feel obligated to be writing Peluso's name down, even if it was always for press box duty.

 

[Hank Chinaski]

Tanev was like Matt Halischuk lite IMO. I don't think that opinion is widely shared here though. If they sign him, I hope it's a two-way.

XS Matt Halischuk if you're talking about effort. Holy crap did Tanev ever motor during his stint with the Jets, made Hustlechuk look like a lazy slob by comparison.

Otherwise, yeah. Based on his skill-set and NCAA production, nothing to suggest he'll be better than someone like Halischuk. Will be really interested to see if he can create offense at the AHL level with his speed and fearlessness. Can't really say much about his NHL ceiling until I see him in action with the Moose.

 

[Aavco Cup]

I'll assume then you expect the forward depth chart to be something like:

01. Wheeler
02. Scheifele
03. Little
04. Ehlers
05. Perrault
06. Stafford
07. Burmistrov
08. Armia
09. Thorburn
10. Lowry (waiver eligible)
11. Copp (waiver eligible)
12. Dano (waiver eligible)
13. Laine (waiver eligible)
14. Conner (waiver eligible)
15. Petan (waiver eligible)

So if Laine & Connor make the team, which three of Lowry, Copp, Dano & Petan go to the Moose? I realize the team can carry more forwards, but none of 10-15 should be in the press box for any length of time. Further which top 9 forwards (other than Thor) are relegated to the 4th line?

Perhaps this indicates a potential trade, but lets not complicate things to get even further speculative.

ps. loving the fact that I no longer feel obligated to be writing Peluso's name down, even if it was always for press box duty.

For most of Jets 2.0 existance they run with 14 forwards and 7 defence.

Healthyness will be a factor

 

[KingBogo]

I'll assume then you expect the forward depth chart to be something like:

01. Wheeler
02. Scheifele
03. Little
04. Ehlers
05. Perrault
06. Stafford
07. Burmistrov
08. Armia
09. Thorburn
10. Lowry (waiver eligible)
11. Copp (waiver eligible)
12. Dano (waiver eligible)
13. Laine (waiver eligible)
14. Conner (waiver eligible)
15. Petan (waiver eligible)

So if Laine & Connor make the team, which three of Lowry, Copp, Dano & Petan go to the Moose? I realize the team can carry more forwards, but none of 10-15 should be in the press box for any length of time. Further which top 9 forwards (other than Thor) are relegated to the 4th line?

Perhaps this indicates a potential trade, but lets not complicate things to get even further speculative.

ps. loving the fact that I no longer feel obligated to be writing Peluso's name down, even if it was always for press box duty.

Laine won't be in the A any more than Matthews will be in the A. Development wise they are way past that level. Laine just got playoff MVP in the Finnish league, would you not say that would be at least equivalent to the A. He is one of the top players playing for the Finnish national team playing along side top NHLers. He needs to keep playing against the best to reach his potential. When you get lucky enough to win a draft lottery you get an NHL player, and one with elite pedigree. The 4 other players you mentioned will likely never come close to the impact he will have. You move down whatever players aren't able to make the final roster. As I've said before they might look to move Stafford to free up room. If I had to bet I'd also see Connor on the starting roster. I think it is likely Copp and Petan start in the A.

 

[allan5oh]

I'll assume then you expect the forward depth chart to be something like:

01. Wheeler
02. Scheifele
03. Little
04. Ehlers
05. Perrault
06. Stafford
07. Burmistrov
08. Armia
09. Thorburn
10. Lowry (waiver eligible)
11. Copp (waiver eligible)
12. Dano (waiver eligible)
13. Laine (waiver eligible)
14. Conner (waiver eligible)
15. Petan (waiver eligible)

So if Laine & Connor make the team, which three of Lowry, Copp, Dano & Petan go to the Moose? I realize the team can carry more forwards, but none of 10-15 should be in the press box for any length of time. Further which top 9 forwards (other than Thor) are relegated to the 4th line?

Perhaps this indicates a potential trade, but lets not complicate things to get even further speculative.

ps. loving the fact that I no longer feel obligated to be writing Peluso's name down, even if it was always for press box duty.

Ah yes depth! How you doin?

Those forwards are not eligible for waivers, rather they are waiver exempt. I assume you just made a mistake. However Lowry does in fact need waivers.

 

[Arthur Fonzarelli]

For most of Jets 2.0 existance they run with 14 forwards and 7 defence.

Healthyness will be a factor

Not last season. They even ran with 12 forwards for quite a stretch, & when Lowry was sent down the team briefly had 11 forwards...was that when they had Pardy play forward?

 

[KingBogo]

Not last season. They even ran with 12 forwards for quite a stretch, & when Lowry was sent down the team briefly had 11 forwards...was that when they had Pardy play forward?

The went that way as they could pull up forwards as needed from the Moose that were waiver exempt but would have risked one of their d-man if waived. That is not likely to be the case this year.