Post-Game Talk: B2B Jets lose 4-1

[bustamente]

A quick lock at the standings shows the Jets closer to the bottom than the top in the Central, they need to win a few games in the coming weeks to stop the slide

 

[Howard Chuck]

Coaching continues to be a issue. In some areas we have improved.

What disappointments me about our coaching staff is that when you see 4 stretch passes in 1.5 periods ONLY when your doing a line change you would figure that it could be a problem. Wasnt till the 5th one they scored on did we decide to fix it.

Preventive action is worth 10x more then reactive.

Over all I thought we played well 3 posts hurt. Without absolutely league leading goaltending we are a avg. Team with that back end.

Yes, something else I meant to mention, but you have.... how are our line changes so horrible? I watch other teams busting their butts to get back to the bench, where many of our players seem to think their shift ends when they start coasting back to the bench.

With just a little more hustle, we could have many of these little issues worked out. We lost to bad bounces and puck-luck in the first game, and the second game to me was just about details that we aren't completing. We have the roster even without some of our injuries, they just have to pay attention to detail. We are a little loose and haphazard, and that is the difference between us being really good and being average.

Hustle, and my new favorite pet peeve, Pionk's passing to Laine on the PP

P.S. I love every other part of Pionk's game.

 

[LowLefty]

We need to rebuild the D core and think wisely about our next moves in the top 6. We did pretty well with this forward group (for the most part) 2 seasons ago so I don’t think we want to panic.

This season we do not have the horses on the Blue line full stop. IF IF IF (major long shot if) Buff were to come back healthy and rested and we get Niku playing well and he can pull a Pionk lite then by gosh by golly this D core could look good as soon as late March but I give that a 10% probability. For my money we wait and see but really focus on this summer to retool our D core if the Hail Mary doesn’t hit this spring.

Part of the reason I wanted Mark Stone here so badly is he would have been “the” major ice tilter zone entry exit master that would have reshaped our top 6 completely. That is the single type of asset that can change a team (think ROR and the Blues). Our fans are maybe too focused on the centre position and not focused enough on the Ice tilting factor. We need one more possession monster in our top 6 then we can roll Ehlers off one line and a fill in the blanks on the other line. My hopes are that Laine grows into that by the time he is 23.

IF we are going to expend assets on a 2nd line centre (or forward) at some point then let’s get a possession beast that can carry anyone. Finishing skills are less important since we have those in spades already. I do not have a name in mind but I will put some thought to it.

We have to overcome the suboptimal defensive play of Connor (is there a worse star in the league at getting out of the zone), Scheifele, and eventually an aging of Wheeler etc. the thing is though we don’t want to try to make a hunting dog of a grey hound. Add one key possession driving asset and I think we have a really dynamic top 6. We gave it our best shot on Stone but he had other plans in mind, however, at least we were on the right track.

We would be wise to keep the Copp Lowry pair together on their next contracts too.

Good post - I agree with all of it -
I'd add Laine to the list of players that are unable to exit the zone - the complete top line are horrible in their own end.
Some of it is due to the structure of our zone exits - everything comes off a pass or dump along the boards. KC and Laine are not good handling a pass in a crowd on the walls - they get squeezed between the apposing winger and D man and it turns over.

Scheif should be more involved in the D zone and creating more on the exit - but he is floating and waiting on an outlet pass - or simply cheating. Pressure is then on the D to push it out - usually along the walls and then we run into trouble.

All three need to be more involved - better puck pursuit and much better at pressuring the offense into making their play sooner than they'd prefer. That all comes down to checking / D play in our own end - along with the zoned exit issues you mention.

I'm not looking to throw it all way and start over but I do see major issues in our own end, especially against good teams that know how to apply pressure. Some of this is D core related and some is due to a lack of a defensive play by our forwards - namely the top line.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

Wheelers attitude is whining about not being in the hall of fame yet. Shiefele has taken over from Laine from last year for being lazy

 

[Jetfaninflorida]

There is a silver lining to Helle coming back down to earth, and the Jets crash landing accordingly. Chevy won't be dumb enough to blow the future wasting picks and prospects to chase rainbows at the trade deadline like he did last year. Whew, thank God.

 

[tbcwpg]

Apparently responding to a direct question about how you're perceived around the league after seasons of high level production is begging to be put into the Hall of Fame.

Just more of the usual HFJets post-loss sensationalism.

 

[Howard Chuck]

Good post - I agree with all of it -
I'd add Laine to the list of players that are unable to exit the zone - the complete top line are horrible in their own end.
Some of it is due to the structure of our zone exits - everything comes off a pass or dump along the boards. KC and Laine are not good handling a pass in a crowd on the walls - they get squeezed between the apposing winger and D man and it turns over.

Scheif should be more involved in the D zone and creating more on the exit - but he is floating and waiting on an outlet pass - or simply cheating. Pressure is then on the D to push it out - usually along the walls and then we run into trouble.

All three need to be more involved - better puck pursuit and much better at pressuring the offense into making their play sooner than they'd prefer. That all comes down to checking / D play in our own end - along with the zoned exit issues you mention.

I'm not looking to throw it all way and start over but I do see major issues in our own end, especially against good teams that know how to apply pressure. Some of this is D core related and some is due to a lack of a defensive play by our forwards - namely the top line.

I've thought that Laine's game in our end is actually really good this year. He isn't perfect by any means, but his ability to find and complete a really nice outlet pass is very good this year. He is using his body to protect the puck as well really well this year. He could certainly be better, and I'm sure he will be, but I don't think he is our problem on the first line.

On our D play in our end, I know someone has explained this to me before, regarding how our D hold up so that the forecheckers get there ahead of one of our D. I think this is killing us in our own end. Our D need to hustle to get there first and get control of the puck. I could be wrong, but it really looks simply like a lack of hustle and losing the race to a dumped in puck.

 

[pucka lucka]

When will Sawyer be fired? I can’t recall a more ridiculous person doing sports broadcasts. He’s absolutely absurd. f*** right off Sawyer.

 

[LowLefty]

I've thought that Laine's game in our end is actually really good this year. He isn't perfect by any means, but his ability to find and complete a really nice outlet pass is very good this year. He is using his body to protect the puck as well really well this year. He could certainly be better, and I'm sure he will be, but I don't think he is our problem on the first line.

On our D play in our end, I know someone has explained this to me before, regarding how our D hold up so that the forecheckers get there ahead of one of our D. I think this is killing us in our own end. Our D need to hustle to get there first and get control of the puck. I could be wrong, but it really looks simply like a lack of hustle and losing the race to a dumped in puck.

I'd have to disagree - I don't see Laine getting it done in our end although he might be better than he was last year. He struggles on the walls mainly due to playing on his off wing and using a stick that is not good for working in tight areas (too long).
If he gets the puck in open ice, he's fine - but then so is KC or Scheif. However, those are rare cases - most of our exits are along the boards based on a dumping attempt by the D.
I wouldn't give Laine a pass here - all three need to be much better.

 

[LowLefty]

I wanted to bring up the PP, so might as well jump off from this post....

The PP looked a little better last night, some good movement etc, BUT! Man, those passes from Pionk to Laine are painfully slow. By the time the puck gets to Laine, a forward is kneeling in front of Laine and Binnington is in position. I said it in the GDT as well, those passes are almost comically slow. That will never work in a million years.

How hard is it to simply spend some time working on something like that. It takes what? An hour to work out where the pass should be and how hard it can be? I don't understand why it takes months to move this team's PP.

I agree -
I noticed this last game more so than in the past - looks like they are trying to get Laine the puck via the D man, more often.
They haven't done a lot of that this year and the slow pass might be just a process that needs a tweak based on a learning curve as Pionk figures out what Laine can handle from varying angles. One point I notice with Pionk is that he is moving more than our D men have in the past and working with a lot of different angles as he sets up Laine - it makes sense that he would gauge what Laine can handle before sending him lasers from different angle to support that one timer.

 

[pucka lucka]

Paul Maurice has completely missed the boat with this team. He has attempted to fill up his D with AHL talent who might be slightly better defensively than offensively gifted like guys like Niku. His plan to stifle offence puts so much more pressure on our weak d. We have the talent up front to out score, yet he goes all in with suspect backend talent by playing defence first system. You play to your talent not over compensating for your weaknesses and eliminating your only advantage.

The coaching just isn’t good enough. It was never good enough. His line optimization is terrible. Has Connor ever seen a pass he’s not refused to make to Laine in the slot? Connor is so overrated by our coaching staff. Get a player who will make a pass to a scoring position on the top line. Laine is a f***ing playmaker on that line. Out of necessity. Great coaching. Wtf is PoMo’s job exactly?

 

[Jets 31]

I agree , it's hard to take a post seriously if they can't spell a Jets player's name right that has been here for years , it's Scheifele not Shiefele .

 

[puck stoppa]

Not sure where to put this but if Little comes back for the stretch run I’d like to see this:
Ehlers Scheif Laine
Connor Little Wheels
Perreault Copp Roslo
Shore Lowry Appleton/Harkins
Bourque

Strong centres. Lowry and Copp have chemistry but Lowry kills offense I find. This gives us nice balance and a scoring third line. I want to see that top line at some point.
And on D just for fun
Jmo Pionk
Niku Buff
Kulikov Poolman

I think Niku finishes year here. Samberg could fill in too come seasons end. He’s nhl ready.

 

[Atoyot]

I hate being in the same division as St Louis and Nashville because I want their defensemen and I know they won't trade them inside the division.

 

[puck stoppa]

I hate being in the same division as St Louis and Nashville because I want their defensemen and I know they won't trade them inside the division.

They will want our defence in two years.
I really believe we will be loaded.
Jmo Samberg
Heinola Pionk
Niku Poolman

That’s without a potential signing if Buff is traded. Kovacevic, Stanley, Gawanke, Chisholm. One of those should make the show.

 

[FFHockey]

I can't wait until the next win and the PGTs become a but more reasonable.

I would be so pumped to be wrong, but not too sure how soon that next W comes.

We are in tough against Avs speed (I think they have all their gunners in the lineup now) and unfortunately the Leafs are starting to play well.

I hate being a Debbie Downer but just not seeing how we are in a playoff spot for much longer.

We need our best guys to be dominant.
- I like Laine’s game but he has to start getting on a roll....posts aren’t good enough.
- Scheif is a disappointment for me...his effort out there just sucks, not sure why he has an A, he sets a piss poor example for the other kids. I used to be a huge defender of his but that has changed a lot for me over his last year of hockey.
- Not sure how Connor continually gets the benefit of the doubt over Ehlers. Connor is horrible at times but never pays the price for it. Ehlers makes one mistake and typically gets “punished” for it.
- End of the day, how we are even in a playoff spot with this D is a minor miracle. Like many have said, without Helle playing like he was, we are in the running for a lottery pick. Now that Helle’s play has leveled off, we may be back in it.

Apologies for such a downer post, but my feeling is that this upcoming run may put us too far behind the 8 ball.

 

[Atoyot]

They will want our defence in two years.
I really believe we will be loaded.
Jmo Samberg
Heinola Pionk
Niku Poolman

That’s without a potential signing if Buff is traded. Kovacevic, Stanley, Gawanke, Chisholm. One of those should make the show.

I like your optimism, but I don't think that compares to St Louis or Nasville. Parayko and Pietrangelo are better than any of those defensmen and I'm really high on Dunn.

 

[KCjetsfan]

When will Sawyer be fired? I can’t recall a more ridiculous person doing sports broadcasts. He’s absolutely absurd. **** right off Sawyer.

I think he's just there to make Beyak's awfulness more tolerable in comparison.

 

[puck stoppa]

I like your optimism, but I don't think that compares to St Louis or Nasville. Parayko and Pietrangelo are better than any of those defensmen and I'm really high on Dunn.

We will check back in two years. I think we got some good ones.

 

[Eyeseeing]

Not captain material at this time

Not to say he can’t or won’t be, but something is off again this season.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

I think he's just there to make Beyak's awfulness more tolerable in comparison.

Maybe it's just me, but I like Beyak quite a bit. Sawyer on the other hand, I struggle with him. All he does is praise Maurice, True North, etc etc. It's like a broken record.

 

[Howard Chuck]

I agree -
I noticed this last game more so than in the past - looks like they are trying to get Laine the puck via the D man, more often.
They haven't done a lot of that this year and the slow pass might be just a process that needs a tweak based on a learning curve as Pionk figures out what Laine can handle from varying angles. One point I notice with Pionk is that he is moving more than our D men have in the past and working with a lot of different angles as he sets up Laine - it makes sense that he would gauge what Laine can handle before sending him lasers from different angle to support that one timer.

Yes, I like everything Pionk is doing with the exception of the slow passes. He's a smart, mobile guy. I don't think it would take much practice between him and Laine to try a couple of passes at different speeds. Laine should be able to tell him what he can and can't do. That would help our PP so much imo.

 

[nobody imp0rtant]

Paul Maurice has completely missed the boat with this team. He has attempted to fill up his D with AHL talent who might be slightly better defensively than offensively gifted like guys like Niku. His plan to stifle offence puts so much more pressure on our weak d. We have the talent up front to out score, yet he goes all in with suspect backend talent by playing defence first system. You play to your talent not over compensating for your weaknesses and eliminating your only advantage.

The coaching just isn’t good enough. It was never good enough. His line optimization is terrible. Has Connor ever seen a pass he’s not refused to make to Laine in the slot? Connor is so overrated by our coaching staff. Get a player who will make a pass to a scoring position on the top line. Laine is a ****ing playmaker on that line. Out of necessity. Great coaching. Wtf is PoMo’s job exactly?

I would reserve some of that criticism for Chevy. He acquires the players and has a major say in who is up and who is down. I'm with you on Connor, but I don't have a problem with Laine being a playmaker as well as a shooter. He can do both very well.

 

[tbcwpg]

I would be so pumped to be wrong, but not too sure how soon that next W comes.

We are in tough against Avs speed (I think they have all their gunners in the lineup now) and unfortunately the Leafs are starting to play well.

I hate being a Debbie Downer but just not seeing how we are in a playoff spot for much longer.

We need our best guys to be dominant.
- I like Laine’s game but he has to start getting on a roll....posts aren’t good enough.
- Scheif is a disappointment for me...his effort out there just sucks, not sure why he has an A, he sets a piss poor example for the other kids. I used to be a huge defender of his but that has changed a lot for me over his last year of hockey.
- Not sure how Connor continually gets the benefit of the doubt over Ehlers. Connor is horrible at times but never pays the price for it. Ehlers makes one mistake and typically gets “punished” for it.
- End of the day, how we are even in a playoff spot with this D is a minor miracle. Like many have said, without Helle playing like he was, we are in the running for a lottery pick. Now that Helle’s play has leveled off, we may be back in it.

Apologies for such a downer post, but my feeling is that this upcoming run may put us too far behind the 8 ball.

The NHL is so close in skill level that any team can beat anyone.

The nature of HFJets, which is not unusual amongst any sports fanbase so this isnt a shot at anyone here, is that when a team is struggling, it's their "true form" and, when they're winning, it's some mirage that will never last. If you read this thread, and your post in particular, anyone from the outside looking in would think that this team will never win again.

 

[nobody imp0rtant]

Not to say he can’t or won’t be, but something is off again this season.