Yep. Not every player needs to finish out a junior career and then toil in the AHL to “season” before they are ready for the show. And players do not stop developing in the NHL — good, smart players who can be trusted with the basics learn on the job, and should be challenged at the highest level they are capable of handling well.
Part of he problem with the Jets has been the rigid division of lines into scoring, checking, and energy, leaving just 6 slots open for “skill” players, with vets in Stats and Wheeler locked into two of them, and four of the team’s best younger players rightfully taking up the other 4. That leaves a spot on the Lowry line and maybe one or two more on the 4th, where the tie always has and always will go to the vet — whoever he has, and however well he plays.
I don’t see a big problem in Perfetti starting the year in the AHL, and maybe being released to play at the WJHC, but he’s already so good and so quick off the mark that I doubt he will have many challenges there by mid-season. If he’s capable of out-playing someone on the Jets, why should he sit in the A?
Heinola offers a different challenge. He’s a very competitive kid who, I suspect, knows just how good he is, and will not relish spending another year dominating the A, so maybe he slots in with an injury — Samberg stays where he is, IMO.
The point is that players who are ready aren’t necessarily going to benefit from playing at a level or 2 below their capabilities, so they can be viewed as “having earned it.” And there’s no hard and fast rule that I know of about what age a player is most likely to help their team. As a friend of mine said the other day: “Who would you rather have on your team — 18-20 or 21-23 YO Patrik Laine?”
Lots of good points -
The Jets do have a lineup based on scoring, checking and energy - but some of that comes from what they have had to work with.
I can see this changing with the addition of Cole and the recently drafted offensive players and our much improved prospect pool on D.
I don't see it as a "system" but more to do with the players available - and I can see a shift taking place on the third line soon. I see less immediate opportunity for our D prospects.
You're right that Wheels blocks a spot in the top 6 - but I can see this going away at some point not too far down the road.
I see Stast's being a depth player that was signed due his ability to ride up and down the line up.
If we have a winger / center ready to move in, I can see him moving to accommodate.
The Jets will work with the young guys via the Moose - that is where they will receive the most attention if not the highest competition while on the ice. This is a good model IMO and best prepares the young guys (regardless of talent) for the NHL game.
IMO, you will benefit playing on the Moose regardless - assuming they are teaching and preparing these guys for a higher level - and there's no reason to believe other wise.
I don't believe our guys are toiling in the A.
The final hurdle with our up and coming guys is our depth - and now you can add our D to that situation.
That leaves the real issue wide open for debate - our forth line needs to be more than an energy line because that is the where we should be introducing the kids in the line up and not at 6 minutes a night or as an energy only line.
This is where I can see things changing - and it comes down to who you have on the sidelines that needs exposure - we have more of that now than we have in a while (and I'm referring to higher end talent) - and - we have fewer vets ready to be plugged in. This would lead me to believe the young will get opportunities and the 4th line structure will change.
Nice post - lots of solid insight
