Post-Game Talk: 5 Unanswered Jets win 5-2

[Jets 31]

The good news is that this org will not part with KC - IMO.
When you come across a player that will likely be playing PPG or better hockey through his career, you keep him.
He comes to play every night, he's consistent as they get, he's never hurt, he has some the best mitts in the game, his skating and speed are top shelf, his edges are beyond description, he has a great shot and a great stick, and can pass the puck with the best of them.

In additional, he's now showing us a he can gain the O zone and drive play - this has been super obvious lately. And when we execute a decent breakout, he's a blur through the neutral zone - but he needs an outlet pass that does include rounding the boards on a panic dump - and out D are getting much better at this.

I like playing the "who do we trade to be better" games as much as the next person - but this team isn't going to do it that way. They have a long term contract with a 23 yr old who is currently 14th in points in the league and appears to be getting better every game - why would they even consider sending him away in hopes that they find someone of his skill set, attitude, and contract at any position. Won't happen.

Agreed , both Connor and Ehlers are signed long term and obviously want to play for the Winnipeg Jets , i just don't think you trade that . There are a few untouchables on this team and they are on that list , you wait for these young guys to develop and just as they are coming into their primes you don't trade them .

 

[Jets 31]

I don't think we are trading anyone currently in our top six, imo. I couldn't decide if I had to. I would keep Laine and Schiefele first I think though. That's just me.

To me if we had to make a trade Wheeler would be at the top because of age and money but i don't want him traded unless it's a unbelievable deal . I hope Laine wants to do a long term deal or that could be a problem .

 

[Adam da bomb]

Clearly trying to boost his value

Right or wrong they’ve picked their guy. Unless Mo gets fired and if they make the playoffs that won’t happen in next 3 yrs or fire Chevy ditto. Best case scenario they keep them all.

 

[Adam da bomb]

We are like the blues last year getting hot at the right time. Lousy 1st half

 

[bennylundholm]

Does anyone else go back and read the "in-game comments" the next day? It's pretty funny the way so many here are proven wrong.

All sorts of condemnation and insults for Copp, ranging from "stone hands" to being useless to deserving a place on the bench. Of course, a beauty pass gives us a shorty and then the game winning goal comes off his superb effort.

Again, condemnation and insults for Wheeler, ranging from "where plays go to die" to having only two moves on the powerplay. Of course, his laser shot over Crawford's shoulder ties up the game.

Try reading the comments on delay. It's not only hilarious but it also reveals the negativity and calibre of many of the posters on here.

It might even be a little educational for some parties.

Or, realistically, that Wheeler for example makes some doofus plays throughout the game and then makes a few good ones.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

Your version of love is love you now how can I get rid of u

You really don't seem to grasp this at all. It is a simple concept. We need players who are not left wingers. You need to give up something good to get something good. Sometimes, that means having to move someone you would really rather keep.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

I too prefer Ehlers, but I'd be tempted to keep Connor and just try switching their roles (maybe with a different coach). If one of them is a trade chip though, I'd dangle Connor first.

Yes, absolutely. I'm not trying to move anyone. This only comes up in the context of if we are going to move a top 3 winger.

 

[snowkiddin]

Trading Connor to Colorado would entail Makar + coming back.

 

[Adam da bomb]

No @Mortimer Snerd its a different concept I don’t get. If Ehlers is as good at tilting the ice, defending, playmaking why can’t u pair him with a cheap centre like Copp and Vesalainen.

 

[Jetfaninflorida]

And Ehlers falls down really easily, which draws a lot of penalties.

 

[PhilJets]

When does
Little
Lowry
Perrault comes back

?
I hope coach just ease them all in and play them as a unit in the 4th line.
until after Mid June after Jets wins the cup


That would be one of the top 4th line i would think.... expensive also

 

[JetsFan815]

Looks like they are coming out of the funk they were in during most of January. I don't know if they can keep this run up into a playoff berth but better this than what we were seeing in January before the All Star Break.

 

[Eyeseeing]

Neutral zone tweak has been beneficial to the team, back pressure and support has been better, which is enabling the D to keep a harder gap at the blue line. They're transition game is at it's best when they are creating turnovers in the neutral zone and that's what they've been doing a lot of since the break. Their tighter gap is also making zone entries more difficult for the opposition, they're retrieving pucks and getting them back up ice far better than before. It's been a noticeable change in direction.

So it’s been coaching all along and not Chevy’s fault

 

[Ducky10]

So it’s been coaching all along and not Chevy’s fault

 

[surixon]

I still don't understand the comments of so and so (Copp/Lowry) having hands of stone so they should be put on the 4th line. If they tilt the ice in your favor, create more/better chances that what's you want. But anyway, continue this narrative....

Copp has pretty consistently scored at good third line rates in his career so he's in the absolute best role for him on the team right now. He defends and scores at an elite 3rd line rate which makes him an upper echelon 3rd line C in this league.

Lowry is big, physical and very good defensively. The problem is that he has consistently scored at mediocre fourth line player rates. I this case the stone hand comment is warranted as he doesn't produce enough I a top 9 role. One of the big issues this team had the last year and a half was secondary offense. Given Lowry was being hard matched with second line ice time it hurt our ability to add offense outside the top line.

Now we are running a formation with three lines that can score at high levels for their matchups. That makes it much harder on opposition coaches.

When Lowry comes back you now can have a very good defensive and physical fourth line which will make the team stronger imo.

 

[surixon]

Wow. It’s amazing how differently some of us see games. I think he’s really doing well.

Yeah Niku wasn't amazing but he's continuing to show signs a of growth in his game. I'm fairly happy with how his development is trending.

 

[surixon]

A few observations from a last minute attendee of the game:

- Crowd was as loud as I've heard it in ages, that was my 7th game this year and the others didn't hold a candle to this one. (4 of previous 6 were victories too) Kudos to the crowd!

- I was impressed with Niku, I realize he's got a ways to go in the D zone, but man does he bring a different dynamic in the offensive zone. I was not a huge fan of his

- Connor looks like he has newfound confidence. He looks faster and more confident with his puck control. Looked dangerous every time the puck was on his stick

- Laine is turning into a beast at both ends of the ice....and he's only 21! He is going to be so much fun to watch over the next while.

- Scheif looked like Petterson getting bounced around by the Flames on Saturday night. That collision with Wheels was right in front of us...good hit! His reaction time seems to have slowed down considerably.

- I am a huge Lowry fan, but am prepared to take Copp over Lowry every day of the week if it comes down to one over the other come the Expansion draft, or having to choose one over the other in any way shape or form. Such a smart player! I think he should be wearing a letter...but what do I know!

We don't have to protect Lowry as he's a pending UFA

 

[surixon]

I don't think we are trading anyone currently in our top six, imo. I couldn't decide if I had to. I would keep Laine and Schiefele first I think though. That's just me.

I agree. We now have cap space with Buff leaving. They will go to a futures package around some prospects and a pick for a dmen first imo.

 

[ps241]

I am so frigging proud of these guys. What a gutsy effort. I said previous to this game they look a lot like the 17-18 Jets, albeit looser defensively.

Beaulieu has added some toughness this team needed. Call me a dinosaur but I think it has something to do with our success.

Niku struggled in spots but played pretty well too. Kulikov was really good, as were 4 and 44.

Connor is a threat every shift, Laine is becoming a very dangerous player as he's starting to put both parts of his game together.

All this and 2 of our best forwards are still struggling to score.

I can't wait till Little comes back, that gives us some options to improve the 4th line.

Feels good!!

9th season back. I have allot of posts and I have learned one truth for sure!

WINNING > losing

 

[FFHockey]

We don't have to protect Lowry as he's a pending UFA

Thanks for the heads up.

I guess where I was going is either way, I’d keep Copp over Lowry now and never would have thought I’d say that.

 

[Farmboy Patty]

Agree. Shore was a nice pickup. Shaw has 1 decent game out of 8 or so at this level, and Borque is this year's WTF roster staple -- does nothing especially well, and often does nothing, and makes A Bitetto look like a speedster. I honestly do not understand why PoMo continues to play him, except that it's a hard habit to break.

”He plays a heavy game”
-Paul Maurice

 

[Tommigun]

Looks like they are coming out of the funk they were in during most of January. I don't know if they can keep this run up into a playoff berth but better this than what we were seeing in January before the All Star Break.

So you are saying winning is better than losing?

 

[ps241]

I noticed it in the listings but just assumed it was the regular SN crew. Never even thought of Cree. Don't speak a word of it but it would still have been an improvement.

I don’t speak a word of Cree either but I enjoyed the call more than Sportsnet. I could read and feel the inflection, hear the names, and as I said the crowd noise was louder or so it seemed to me. I didn’t feel as distracted and was not annoyed at all.

It was more soothing.

 

[ps241]

Wheeler had 2 pp assists against Ottawa; on his second he set up Laine's hat-trick goal by driving the slot, forcing the D and goalie to commit, and making a patient, good, unselfish pass to Laine who had a wide-open side to fire it into. He pretty much got zero credit by anyone on the forum, and wasn't really even acknowledged as being involved in the play.

He (along with Copp) led the team with 6 shots last night against Chicago. Just as perspective (and not a hot-take on Laine's performance), Laine's only shot was his empty-net goal, something Wheeler would potentially be chastised here for performing.

Copp and Laine were lauded in this PGT for having 'excellent' games. I don't disagree with that, per se. Wheeler, despite scoring the game-tying PP goal, being a warrior this game going to the difficult areas, getting crotched and head-shotted and what not, only receives either negative or neutral comments in this PGT, naming him a 'has-been', and 'weakest link on the PP'.

People see what they want to see. So granted that I'm an abashed Wheeler fan, I tend to see his good play and overlook his bad. A few people go the other way, and are locked in a narrative that everything he does is terrible, and he's bad for the team, etc. I would hope that most people are somewhere in the middle. Unfortunately, the negative hot-takes overwhelm the GDTs as soon as we are behind by a single goal, and that's why I've decided not to participate in them anymore.

Good post.

Once the puck drops the GDT turns into a bad sci-fi, horror movie when the monsters come out to play. Since I am not a licensed therapist nor do I want to become one I avoid it 99% of the time. I get why some would like the roller coaster ride but it’s not my thing.

PGT after losses becomes a place for people to bitch and moan on every teams board. I usually don’t avoid that but I look for patterns of people that only show up to complain about losses and never join in the joy of victory. If I notice that pattern I may exercise the ignore option. Complaining is perfectly fine and part of human nature but “only” complaining is something I try to avoid since it’s just a hobby to me and life is too short.

 

[ps241]

Love the edge Boo Boo has returned to this team, he's not taking any **** and it's rubbing off on his teammates. Will be great to get Lowry back so he can ride shotgun with him, that adds a lot of toughness to the team.

I am with you and Jet. I think it’s made a difference.