Armchair GM

[Fatdrunk]

No way 55 gets away with that with a good coach ... change the coach first and if the player does not improve trade him.

There is a possibility that Shuffles is playing like whale shit is that he does not want to be traded because he has it too good here for far too long.

 

[tbcwpg]

IMO, Ehlers will play his best game with a center who isn't counted on to lead the line rush or drive play - Stast's is a perfect example of that.
Put him with a center who would typically drive play and Ehlers will be redundant on that line.

It's only been 10 games but Scheifele us putting up his best numbers of the year with Ehlers. If scheifele stays I wouldn't mind seeing that next season as well.

 

[cbcwpg]

No way 55 gets away with that with a good coach ... change the coach first and if the player does not improve trade him.

I agree with this as a plan...except there is a risk. What happens if we get a new coach, one that has high regard , and Chef still decides that he will play the way he wants and damn the coach? Now we have a player that is going to do what he wants and the coach won't matter. That's going to get out to the league and it could tank Chef's trade value.

If we trade Chef now, there will still be teams that will think they can get the most out of Chef, and we will still get a good return.

Hard choice for Chevy.

 

[surixon]

IMO, Ehlers will play his best game with a center who isn't counted on to lead the line rush or drive play - Stast's is a perfect example of that.
Put him with a center who would typically drive play and Ehlers will be redundant on that line.

It's why I can see him working well with Perfetti at some point.

 

[Heldig]

Look at how outclassed the Jets are in Florida. So much needs to change IMO.

 

[voyageur]

I like what you did with the forward group perfect putting Schiefele on the wing however maybe I flip Schiefele and Wheeler.

I think Heinola is an important part of this team.

I move for sure schmidt and possibly Dillon for some forward prospects or picks.

My third pair is Heinola and Kovacevic.
Stanley is my #7.

I'd like to see a power line too. But Wheeler and Stats together, while smart, lacks speed. I'm a big Scheifele fan, having met him through the Kidsport camp he ran here in summer until the pandemic. I see a player who wants to win, and he's going to be 30 next year, you have to wonder if he believes that window is closing, especially after seeing the changes that the team has gone through since 2018. He's not in a place where he has planted roots, and I can see him wanting a chance to win, and find the athletic wife in the back half of his career. One more big contract left. After watching tonight's game, I'd be ok with a Scheifele trade that involved Braden Schneider because the defense of this team is nowhere near the 2018 level. That's a hockey trade. I think Schneider would replace some of the edge that has been lost since Buff/Trouba/Myers. Dropping De Melo down to a 3rd pairing d-man, who earns his keep killing penalties. I think Samberg-De Melo is the future first PK pairing. Get a quality forward like Kakko, who can add pace, and if Stats came back as the #2 centre, there's some top 6 competition at forward, and at least one talented player to put on Lowry's wing. Stats can be a place holder for Lucius potentially. But that's 10 years of contract control vs. 2, which is a win for a small market.

Dillon to me is in decline, so I'd get whatever value redeemable off that trade. Heinola for me is still a player who provides depth. It's not crucial to promote him, with only Chisholm as an ELC replacement on the Moose. Schmidt can move the puck, so I think he can help a team that should have speed as an identity. I see his contract as virtually unmoveable, unless the Coyotes want it.

I'd be happy with a defense that looked like

Morrissey-Schneider
Samberg-Pionk
Schmidt-De Melo
Stanley

I'd sacrifice Kovacevic in a Schneider trade, Berdin too, Rangers could have Kraskovsky as well.

If Kakko isn't on the table, I'd push for Schneider, Chityl and Dylan Garand as the future goalie.

 

[DRW204]

Connor-Dubois-Wheeler
Ehlers-Stastny-Scheifele
Barron-Lowry-Appleton
Perfetti-Gustafsson-Svetchnikov
Harkins, Toninato


Morrissey-De Melo
Samberg-Pionk
Stanley-Schmidt
Kovacevic

i like that top-6. i think stastny better at actually playing C in 2/3s of the ice than scheifele. ehlers-stastny i think can carry anyone to strong scoring opportunities, and then scheifele can convert those while having less defensive responsibilities.

however: will this org do that to him? this is a player that they said one day would have a statute outside of bell mts, is on an yzerman track etc. on top of that - how often does a 1C/face of the franchise get moved from 1C to 2nd line RW (while not being forced by injuries ie: C.Giroux)? i agree it should happen, i agree take emotions out of it, however, it's seldom the case that's how things fare out.

that 3rd line is not going to get us anywhere sorry. we need more scoring out of the 3rd line, and lowry isn't consistent enough as a scorer or play-maker to rely on season by season. he was good in 17-18, solid with perreault during the canadian division year, beyond that though it's not good enough. that would be a solid 4th line i think, however think they will not put Lowry as a 4C especially at that cap-hit unfortunately. the Blues third line for comparison is barbashev-schenn-kyrou. we need more offense from the bottom-6. a 3rd line of Perfetti-X-Svech, with a better C i think can get you somewhere though.

that defense still needs a lot of work. Samberg will have to take a big step to play consistent top-4 mins over 82 gp he's never played close to that much hockey in a given year, Pionk needs to bounce back and show his 1 great year wasn't an outlier (you touched on both these points), and stanley-schmidt has been god awful as a paring.

 

[voyageur]

i like that top-6. i think stastny better at actually playing C in 2/3s of the ice than scheifele. ehlers-stastny i think can carry anyone to strong scoring opportunities, and then scheifele can convert those while having less defensive responsibilities.

however: will this org do that to him? this is a player that they said one day would have a statute outside of bell mts, is on an yzerman track etc. on top of that - how often does a 1C/face of the franchise get moved from 1C to 2nd line RW? i agree it should happen, i agree take emotions out of it, however, it's seldom the case that's how things fare out.

that 3rd line is not going to get us anywhere sorry. we need more scoring out of the 3rd line, and lowry isn't consistent enough as a scorer or play-maker to rely on season by season. he was good in 17-18, solid with perreault during the canadian division year, beyond that though it's not good enough. that would be a solid 4th line i think, however think they will not put Lowry as a 4C especially at that cap-hit unfortunately. the Blues third line for instance is barbashev-schenn-kyrou. we need more offense from the bottom-6. a 3rd line of Perfetti-X-Svech, with a better C i think can get you somewhere though.

that defense still needs a lot of work. Samberg will have to take a big step to play consistent top-4 mins over 82 gp he's never played close to that much hockey in a given year, Pionk needs to bounce back and show his 1 great year wasn't anoutlier, and stanley-schmidt has been god awful as a paring.

I don't like our defense. Whether it be Samberg or Heinola that makes the jump or both I'm still not going to like our defense. It's just not the same without Buff and Trouba. I'm hoping that Samberg can be better than previous top 4 d-men as Kulikov, Forbort, and this year Dillon. Right now it's Schmidt but I think this is part of the tank. I like a strong checking line, that could match Trenin-Scissons-Jeannot, or Foligno-Eriksson-Greenway in terms of physicality. Lowry is still a good shutdown centre. I mean we've seen Dubois and Scheifele both struggle in those roles, and that's a problem in its own, because somebody has to be a defensive ace. I think the Jets could have solved their problems long ago by drafting a centre like Suzuki, or Lundelll, but that's in the past. Acquiring centres isn't easy, if the Jets had a centre who was going to be a top 9 threat, he's been traded already. I do think that Scheifele can score PPG easily as a winger, and that's of value to the Jets. I think there's different models to win with. St. Louis has balance no arguments here, but we've played them well. I think getting a 4th line that can score would help, if Perfetti and Svetchnikov were two of your 4th line wingers, you should get 3rd line production out of them, without the -s that Harkins, Vesalainen, Brooks, etc. have put on the board. And that's where I see the team succeeding. Though that defense, how do we improve that defense after having "improved" that defense in the offseason? I think the only way is through coaching, because frankly we were losing to a team that had Kulikov, Benn, Merrill as their 4,5,6 early this season, and that's structure.

 

[DRW204]

I don't like our defense. Whether it be Samberg or Heinola that makes the jump or both I'm still not going to like our defense. It's just not the same without Buff and Trouba. I'm hoping that Samberg can be better than previous top 4 d-men as Kulikov, Forbort, and this year Dillon. Right now it's Schmidt but I think this is part of the tank. I like a strong checking line, that could match Trenin-Scissons-Jeannot, or Foligno-Eriksson-Greenway in terms of physicality. Lowry is still a good shutdown centre. I mean we've seen Dubois and Scheifele both struggle in those roles, and that's a problem in its own, because somebody has to be a defensive ace. I think the Jets could have solved their problems long ago by drafting a centre like Suzuki, or Lundelll, but that's in the past. Acquiring centres isn't easy, if the Jets had a centre who was going to be a top 9 threat, he's been traded already. I do think that Scheifele can score PPG easily as a winger, and that's of value to the Jets. I think there's different models to win with. St. Louis has balance no arguments here, but we've played them well. I think getting a 4th line that can score would help, if Perfetti and Svetchnikov were two of your 4th line wingers, you should get 3rd line production out of them, without the -s that Harkins, Vesalainen, Brooks, etc. have put on the board. And that's where I see the team succeeding. Though that defense, how do we improve that defense after having "improved" that defense in the offseason? I think the only way is through coaching, because frankly we were losing to a team that had Kulikov, Benn, Merrill as their 4,5,6 early this season, and that's structure.

i agree with your points on the defense. ppl praise chevy for getting pionk+heinola for trouba and say we're better off but i don't think that's been the case so far. trouba i really think is sorely missed on this team, & ofc Buff. But it's been years since each have been gone, and we haven't done much to regain their prowess.

ok that's fine and dandy to like a strong checking line, however, as a top-9 line they need to put up offense as well. coleman-gourde-goodrow was a checking line in style, but they dominated posession and put up goals and points - something our 3rd lines have not been able to do. you cite those lines:

Trenin: 17 goals/24 pts in 72gp
Sissons: 6 goals/27 pts in 71gp
Jeannot: 24 goals/41 pts in 73gp

Foligno: 21 goals/37 pts in 69gp
Eriksson-EK: 21 goals/41pts in 68gp
Greenway: 8 goals/23pts in 59 gp

now compare vs ours.

is 2/3 of lowry, barron and appleton going to flirt with 20 goals or ~0.5 ppg?

i am fine w/ having a "checking line" in style, but they need to generate scoring chances along with putting the puck in the net. Lowry really hasn't been as strong as a shut-down center this year as you cite & his line-matching based on the info that i last saw has been less against top liners as I initially thought.

 

[voyageur]

i agree with your points on the defense. ppl praise chevy for getting pionk+heinola for trouba and say we're better off but i don't think that's been the case so far. trouba i really think is sorely missed on this team, & ofc Buff. But it's been years since each have been gone, and we haven't done much to regain their prowess.

ok that's fine and dandy to like a strong checking line, however, as a top-9 line they need to put up offense as well. coleman-gourde-goodrow was a checking line in style, but they dominated posession and put up goals and points - something our 3rd lines have not been able to do. you cite those lines:

Trenin: 17 goals/24 pts in 72gp
Sissons: 6 goals/27 pts in 71gp
Jeannot: 24 goals/41 pts in 73gp

Foligno: 21 goals/37 pts in 69gp
Eriksson-EK: 21 goals/41pts in 68gp
Greenway: 8 goals/23pts in 59 gp

now compare vs ours.

is 2/3 of lowry, barron and appleton going to flirt with 20 goals or ~0.5 ppg?

i am fine w/ having a "checking line" in style, but they need to generate scoring chances along with putting the puck in the net. Lowry really hasn't been as strong as a shut-down center this year as you cite & his line-matching based on the info that i last saw has been less against top liners as I initially thought.

When you look at the sum of info though, Lowry has played with Harkins, Vesalainen, Reichel all borderline NHL players. I look at Lowry, with Copp and Apples shutting down Mc Jesus last year, and I say personnel wise it's still possible. I don't see Adam Lowry as an easy guy to play against. Defensively he doesn't cheat like Dubois and Scheif, and that's important. I think PP time helps some of those guys stat lines. But to be fair Lowry has got PP time this year, but more points SH I think. I still think that would be a good checking line. It's not the checking line that is getting scored on the most this year, in spite of taking the most defensive zone draws. So there's other things at play in my opinion.

 

[DRW204]

When you look at the sum of info though, Lowry has played with Harkins, Vesalainen, Reichel all borderline NHL players. I look at Lowry, with Copp and Apples shutting down Mc Jesus last year, and I say personnel wise it's still possible. I don't see Adam Lowry as an easy guy to play against. Defensively he doesn't cheat like Dubois and Scheif, and that's important. I think PP time helps some of those guys stat lines. But to be fair Lowry has got PP time this year, but more points SH I think. I still think that would be a good checking line. It's not the checking line that is getting scored on the most this year, in spite of taking the most defensive zone draws. So there's other things at play in my opinion.

it's not all on adam lowry. we need better wingers on the 3rd too. harkins and ves are terrible. for all the muster that's made about lowry doesn't get scored on he's a -13 at 5v5 hockey this season. it's nice he's good defensively but need better scoring depth too (again; not all on him the wingers need to be better). i think helle has more to do w/ our performance against EDM than our defense. we were out shot and chanced heavily.

 

[Al Camino]

Never mind 3rd line, when's the last time we had 3 that good on our 2nd line?

True, Sanford Appleton and Lowry not quite the same.

Last night Ken Wiebe lost his mind on the suggestion that Lowry wasn’t a viable 3rd line center. His argument basically consisted that because he’s a third line center for the Jets he is in fact a third line center.

 

[Al Camino]

When you look at the sum of info though, Lowry has played with Harkins, Vesalainen, Reichel all borderline NHL players. I look at Lowry, with Copp and Apples shutting down Mc Jesus last year, and I say personnel wise it's still possible. I don't see Adam Lowry as an easy guy to play against. Defensively he doesn't cheat like Dubois and Scheif, and that's important. I think PP time helps some of those guys stat lines. But to be fair Lowry has got PP time this year, but more points SH I think. I still think that would be a good checking line. It's not the checking line that is getting scored on the most this year, in spite of taking the most defensive zone draws. So there's other things at play in my opinion.

Other teams also don’t have to worry about that line scoring on them either. Good player but pucks kinda die on his stick.

 

[Al Camino]

Armchair GMs will always find it easier to take apart a team than build one. I don't know any of the players on a personal level, I've met some, but I believe Chevy when he says the team cares about each other more than I believe some of the other Chevy talk.

I don't think this is the year to tear the team apart.

I'd keep Dave Lowry as part of the Jets family, as an assistant. I believe he can help the special teams, and he can communicate with his players. I'd keep Wade Flaherty as well, but I'd look at changing the coaching staff. 11 years of Charlie Huddy is longevity. If Maurice can move on, I think Huddy won't be far behind. Kompon should be given the chance to be closer to his family. Which I think would open up some systematic changes to the coaching, and PP.

Personnel wise Dubois re-signing is the priority. That's not something that can wait until training camp or I think it starts off on the wrong foot.

I think communication with Mark Scheifele would be a priority to see where his head is at. If it's somewhere else then Chevy has to make a tough decision on his first ever draft pick as GM.

I'd make room for an ELC defenseman to win a spot out of training camp. Much of Copp's salary will be invested in Dubois's raise. So the movement of say Dillon's contract gives some more flexible trade options.

Also opens up bringing Stastny back. I think if he was given a 2 year deal that would be a hard one to turn down. And I think Stastny could play at a high level until 38. To me it's like it's like investing in a Patrice Bergeron.

I'd probably trade Vesalainen for RH forward depth or prospect, even a draft pick. I'm not sure he doesn't go back to Finland if he gets a 2 way contract, but that's speculation. I don't think he's played well enough to get a 1 way contract.

Gustafsson contract should be easy. I think he's earned the 1 way.

I think Svetchnikov should get a QO, and at least $1 million for his contribution this year.

Appleton probably gets more for being a special teams player.

I'd give Harkins one more year to compete as a 4th line player. There's some talent to work with. Though I'd wouldn't be adverse to moving him for a RH C/RW, maybe a Morgan Geekie.

Kovacevic gets a 2 way contract, and a chance to compete for a roster spot in training camp.

I'd re-sign Comrie to a modest raise. I think he played well enough to get another chance.

Something like

Connor-Dubois-Wheeler
Ehlers-Stastny-Scheifele
Barron-Lowry-Appleton
Perfetti-Gustafsson-Svetchnikov
Harkins, Toninato

Perfetti can move up the lineup. 1st injury replacement for the top 6. Takes Copp's PP time. I'd be gradual with his development. After this season I think having a 4th line that can score, and not get scored on, would help the Jets become a better 4 line team.

Morrissey-De Melo
Samberg-Pionk
Stanley-Schmidt
Kovacevic

Heinola as #8. I'd like his chances more if Schmidt is moved, instead of Dillon, as the PK personnel becomes an issue, but I see virtually no chance of Schmidt being traded again, that salary is going to be something the Jets would have to eat part of to move.

Maybe bring in a Madison Bowey to compete in TC, for RD depth.

Other than Reichel and Eyssimont, unless Torgersson surprises in his first year, I don't see a lot of callup potential. Maybe Lucius signs late season.

I think this team would come in around the $80 million mark, which leaves some room to manoeuvre.






I'd be looking at what happens in the Central, I think there's a chance Forsberg signs somewhere else than Nashville, Minnesota is paying a lot for Suter and Parise next season. So they won't be able to make a lot of moves. Dallas probably loses Klingberg. I'm not expecting a massive rise out of Chicago and Arizona.

I think if Morrissey keeps improving, which he has, the Jets lack of a true #1 defenseman won't loom so large. Pionk probably isn't a true #2, but he's shown potential, and I think there is something good that could come of a full season of Samberg- Pionk, knock on wood. I don't think Ville the kid is ready to be a #3, that's why I'd keep Schmidt around. When I look at the young players who are competing for spots beyong Samberg, in Stanley, Heinola, Kovacevic, and Chisholm I have a hard time seeing how Dillon complements them. The more mobile this defense becomes, I think there is enough talent to be an efficient puck moving team, with a different coaching style. If Perfetti is ready to make a full time jump, and some of the young players have an impact, which wasn't so much the case this year, the Jets have some players on board who can get them back to the playoffs. Might just take a new coach and a season to regroup. I'd give the core one more season to compete.

I would just make the point that keeping Lowry in the fold sends a bad message.

 

[surixon]

When you look at the sum of info though, Lowry has played with Harkins, Vesalainen, Reichel all borderline NHL players. I look at Lowry, with Copp and Apples shutting down Mc Jesus last year, and I say personnel wise it's still possible. I don't see Adam Lowry as an easy guy to play against. Defensively he doesn't cheat like Dubois and Scheif, and that's important. I think PP time helps some of those guys stat lines. But to be fair Lowry has got PP time this year, but more points SH I think. I still think that would be a good checking line. It's not the checking line that is getting scored on the most this year, in spite of taking the most defensive zone draws. So there's other things at play in my opinion.

I mean that is only this year though. He hasn't scored at a good enough pace 3 of the last 4 years amd rhe linemate excuss doesn't hold for the other three. In 18-19 where he put up 23 in 78 he played predominantly with a combination of Copp, Perrault and Tanev. In 19-20 where he scored 10 points in 49 games he played with a combination of Copp, Perrault and Roslovic. We have a pretty darn good book on this player now. He has two years in his career where he has scored at a legit third line level 17-18 which is likely the entire bais for how he is viewed by the org and last season against the weak Canadian division.

The one thing he used to bring was elite level defense but he hasn't been thay player either for a while.

 

[WolfHouse]

I mean that is only this year though. He hasn't scored at a good enough pace 3 of the last 4 years amd rhe linemate excuss doesn't hold for the other three. In 18-19 where he put up 23 in 78 he played predominantly with a combination of Copp, Perrault and Tanev. In 19-20 where he scored 10 points in 49 games he played with a combination of Copp, Perrault and Roslovic. We have a pretty darn good book on this player now. He has two years in his career where he has scored at a legit third line level 17-18 which is likely the entire bais for how he is viewed by the org and last season against the weak Canadian division.

The one thing he used to bring was elite level defense but he hasn't been thay player either for a while.

Its getting clear that Copp was likely our actualy shutdown 3C... would be interesting to see Lowry's play driving with/without him

 

[surixon]

Its getting clear that Copp was likely our actualy shutdown 3C... would be interesting to see Lowry's play driving with/without him

Last 3 years Copp and Lowry weren't all that great together: 45 XGF and not doung great on the other metrics as well. Copp is a 50 XGF player without Lowry and Lowry is a 47 XGF player without Copp.

 

[WolfHouse]

You know... Paul Stastny could be an interesting choice - and maybe resolve the locker room issues

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

Didn't know where to post this, but this is how I concluded the Jets' 7-round mock draft:

16 - Owen Pickering, LHD, Swift Current (WHL)
54 - Josh Filmon, LW, Swift Current (WHL)
57 - Liam Steele, RHD, Stanstead College (HS-ON)
77 - Devin Kaplan, RW, USA NTDP (USHL)
98 - Leo Gruba, RHD, Hill-Murray (HS-MN)
176 - Cade Littler, C, Wenatchee Wild (BCHL)
208 - Cameron O'Neill, RW, Mount St. Charles Academy (18U AAA)
215 - Alexander Smolin - Stalnye Lisy Magnitigorsk (MHL)

 

[Ducky10]

It's no question.
Ehlers is a shot generation machine, notably in the slot area.And tilts the ice in our favor more times than not. I know some posters and mods on here hate it, but over the last number of years he's been one of our most productive/efficient forwards at 5v5 hockey in terms of out-shooting or chancing and importantly out-scoring the opposition.

Curious what this means? Do you honestly think that’s true? Don’t quite understand the need to frame things in such a way.

 

[WolfHouse]

Didn't know where to post this, but this is how I concluded the Jets' 7-round mock draft:

16 - Owen Pickering, LHD, Swift Current (WHL)
54 - Josh Filmon, LW, Swift Current (WHL)
57 - Liam Steele, RHD, Stanstead College (HS-ON)
77 - Devin Kaplan, RW, USA NTDP (USHL)
98 - Leo Gruba, RHD, Hill-Murray (HS-MN)
176 - Cade Littler, C, Wenatchee Wild (BCHL)
208 - Cameron O'Neill, RW, Mount St. Charles Academy (18U AAA)
215 - Alexander Smolin - Stalnye Lisy Magnitigorsk (MHL)

Very nice - but I think they draft a goalie in 3 or 4th round

 

[DRW204]

Curious what this means? Do you honestly think that’s true? Don’t quite understand the need to frame things in such a way.

Curious to why mods delete posts and ban posters when they praise ehlers over scheifele or wheeler.

 

[Imcanadianeh]

Curious what this means? Do you honestly think that’s true? Don’t quite understand the need to frame things in such a way.

Ehlers has become the new Laine in the sense that if you don’t blindly agree that he is the greatest thing since sliced bread for some reason that means you hate him and don’t want him to succeed.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

Very nice - but I think they draft a goalie in 3 or 4th round

This was more on how I wanted feedback on what other Jets fans thought. I've done lots on HF Mock Drafts, but think this is my best to date considering what I drafted in the later rounds. I tried to trade up to draft Geekie, as a Scheifele replacement down the road if it's true he gets traded. Too good of a fit for us.

 

[WolfHouse]

This was more on how I wanted feedback on what other Jets fans thought. I've done lots on HF Mock Drafts, but think this is my best to date considering what I drafted in the later rounds. I tried to trade up to draft Geekie, as a Scheifele replacement down the road if it's true he gets traded. Too good of a fit for us.

Geekie could fall but Pickering would be my other choice anyway...

There's about three big-bodied goalies that have potential in this draft - I think we need one of them to develop as our Helle 2.0 - Im not sure Berdin is the guy and the team doesnt seem to have faith in Comrie

I really want Chevy to turn those two 2nd rounders for Copp into a first rounder or player... this draft drops off the cliff fast.