Good thread.
As for as I'm concerned we have three years left of the Scheifele/Helle on bargain deals window. If we aren't planning on contending then both should be dealt for a kings ransom and the org would need to start a rebuild. Given that the chances of that being the organizations direction are slim we need to build around this window.
A number of things need to happen to get this team back on track and not all of it is personnel.
On the personnel side we really can't afford to trade another scoring winger for another need position. We did that already with the Laine trade so that takes the core piece for core piece trade out of the picture. That leaves the future trade plus maybe a support piece like Copp trade.
I look to get a top 4 RD with size and speed. I know many don't like Ristolianen but his playing style and size profile matches up well with they type of partner that works really well with JoMo. Also you have to consider the Buffalo angle with regards to his performance. I trade Copp and a second or B prospect for him. Expiring contract for expiring contract.
With that we then add our promising young players and let them grow into roles.
JoMo Ristolinan
Samberg Pionk
Heinola DeMelo
That defense has a good collection of size, skill and puck moving. We should be able to run a very effective and robust transition with it.
Up front our problems seem to resolve around not having enough play drivers in the top 6. Right now we have Mark and Nik and when one is out of the lineup it really shows. Wheeler has just aged out as a top line forward that can drive play and Conner just can't get his overall game good enough to the point where he isn't just an elite complimentary scoring winger. We need two more top 6 play divers. I think we have both in house. While Dubois struggled this year he has shown he can drive play while scoring 60 points in Columbus. I don't believe what happened this year is indicative of the player he is and will be going forward. We also have Perfetti who has been an elite play driver at every level he has played at including the AHL this past year.
Configure a top 6 with two drivers per line and a complimentary piece per line:
Conner Scheifele Ehelers
Perfetti Dubois Wheeler
Each line should have more then enough skill to score and our defensive liabilities are spread out.
In the bottom 6 I think we need to modify our philosophy a bit. Our third line is trending towards being a big physical two way line on its own and I think adding Ves to it full time next year once he gets comfortable will give it a lethal shot. We need to ice a quicker fourth line that can get in on pucks quickly and has some offensive capabilities.
Ves Lowry Appelton
Harkins Gus fast FA signing
Even with these player changes we need to change on the coaching front:
Our top forwards have not been helped at all by this coaching staff in terms of systems that are designed based on their strengths. Add in a terrible defensive and breakout scheme and the team looks like a mess most nights. Our top 6 scores off the rush or not at all and that needs to change. We need a robust offensive scheme that can break down other teams defenses in the offensive end of the ice. No more of this conservative garbage where we can't have two forwards deep to cycle properly.
Our coaching staff needs to do their homework this year and derive and implement something that will work for this group. Maurice also needs to get out of his comfort zone and run a much more assertive scheme. This risk adverse conservative stuff doesn't work for this group. It's painfully obvious by now that this team isn't good at low event hockey.
I'm all for a retool year where we live with some rookie growing pains up front and on the back end in order to take a big step forward going forward.
I agree with everything here, just hope we can do better than Ristolainen! Is there any chance we could land Hamilton as a UFA?
I agree with everything here, just hope we can do better than Ristolainen! Is there any chance we could land Hamilton as a UFA?
This thread is meant to be focused on what various people think the Jets need to do with the roster, based on assessment of the current quality / potential and needs. If it just devolves into "replace Chevy" or "replace all the coaches", that's a different set of questions, and there have been many other threads to focus on those topics.
This is a chance for posters to give their analysis and what decisions they would make if they were in the GM's role. I hope that's the focus. If not, might as well close it down and resurrect "Fire Chevy" and "Fire Maurice" threads.
You have Wheeler, who is still an asset, but his role and usage need to be re-examined - but is Maurice the guy, willing to do that. Or is Wheels still the defacto coach?
I think Savard would be an improvement on Poolman, but I really don't think he's the answer. The Jets need a D or two that would actually be the better D on a pairing with Morrissey and/or Pionk to give the Jets a bona fide top pairing, and a strong 2nd pairing. For example, an "all in" short term move might be trading a 1st and a good prospect for Ekholm, to pair with Pionk. Or maybe the Jets need to put a big enough offer together to go after Dumba. They might even be able to free up trade capital to go after both of them, if they want to optimize this contending window.I think Chevy probably could have outbid Tampa for Savard. But it likely would have been a hard to swallow move even for the most optimistic of posters here.
This is completely off topic. The point of the thread is to focus on what you think the Jets should do, not who you think makes decisions for the organization.This is a critical question IMO. Who's in charge? Is it a) Maurice? Is it b) Wheifle?
If it's a), then are we getting the most out of Wheifle? Would we get more out of them (and others) with a new coach?
If it's b), then what happens if we bring in a coach who takes control? Do we get the the whole team under control and increase their output? Does it create a situation wher Wheifle rebels and needs to be "dealt" with? How do you deal with that? Trade them? Is Wheeler tradeable?
I'm of the opinion that our problems are related to leadership - I'm just not entirely sure where the leadership is coming from however. And if it's unclear to the rest of the team - that's a recipe for disaster.
This is completely off topic. The point of the thread is to focus on what you think the Jets should do, not who you think makes decisions for the organization.
Sorry, I disagree. The question is germane to what the jets do (if anything) with regard to coaching and leadership.
I think Savard would be an improvement on Poolman, but I really don't think he's the answer. The Jets need a D or two that would actually be the better D on a pairing with Morrissey and/or Pionk to give the Jets a bona fide top pairing, and a strong 2nd pairing. For example, an "all in" short term move might be trading a 1st and a good prospect for Ekholm, to pair with Pionk. Or maybe the Jets need to put a big enough offer together to go after Dumba. They might even be able to free up trade capital to go after both of them, if they want to optimize this contending window.
As an example...
Trade 1: 2021 1st (#18 overall) + Samberg + another pick / prospect for Ekholm.
Trade 2: Copp + Vesalainen + 2nd for Dumba.
You fill in the forwards with some UFA acquisitions, like Coleman, Armia, Cizikas, etc. and end up with a line-up that looks more like this...
View attachment 444553
Cap would be tight, and the Jets would probably have to sign Pionk short-term to keep the cap hit low (around $5M).
Another option is acquire Dumba and trade Pionk at a time when his value is very high. I would consider trading Morrissey, but I'm not sure he has much trade value considering his contract and recent performance.
I don’t think gutting the prospect pool is smart, but one of Heinola/Samberg/Stanley can go in a deal, with at least one needing to blossom into a solid ELC contributor. Perfetti will come in this year/next and will need to do the same.
I’ve been really disappointed with Kyle Connor the last two playoffs, but don’t expect any changes with 55/26/81/27 at this point. Also think PLD needs surgery and hopefully we can see his true potential in the fall.
Only way we get over this hump is finding a top pairing dman to push everybody down one spot. At this point I wonder if we’re too focused on a RHD and would instead benefit from a solid LHD to pair with Pionk on the top pairing and bump Morrissey to second pair with DeMelo.
I think Savard would be an improvement on Poolman, but I really don't think he's the answer. The Jets need a D or two that would actually be the better D on a pairing with Morrissey and/or Pionk to give the Jets a bona fide top pairing, and a strong 2nd pairing. For example, an "all in" short term move might be trading a 1st and a good prospect for Ekholm, to pair with Pionk. Or maybe the Jets need to put a big enough offer together to go after Dumba. They might even be able to free up trade capital to go after both of them, if they want to optimize this contending window.
As an example...
Trade 1: 2021 1st (#18 overall) + Samberg + another pick / prospect for Ekholm.
Trade 2: Copp + Vesalainen + 2nd for Dumba.
You fill in the forwards with some UFA acquisitions, like Coleman, Armia, Cizikas, etc. and end up with a line-up that looks more like this...
View attachment 444553
Cap would be tight, and the Jets would probably have to sign Pionk short-term to keep the cap hit low (around $5M).
Another option is acquire Dumba and trade Pionk at a time when his value is very high. I would consider trading Morrissey, but I'm not sure he has much trade value considering his contract and recent performance.
Minimum of three years left on the Scheifele / Ehlers / Hellebuyck / Connor "bargain" contracts. That's the window.
I voted for the "blockbuster trade to improve the D right now" option. I still think our inability to generate offence as well as defend against any kind of cycle can be traced back to the personnel on the blue line. Dates back to Byfuglien retiring, which means we've had 2 full years to fix it.
I expect a lot of D to change hands because of Seattle expansion. No excuse not to be aggressive here. Other than maybe Perfetti, no one should be off the table.
Would also add the "fire the coaching staff" option to this if I could. I've defended Maurice on a lot of the common criticisms (line blended, playing the vets, etc) but it's time for a change, even if it's "change for change's sake"
Top pairing D on either side would do about equally well. I lean a bit toward getting a RHD, but a good lefty would get the job done.
Agree.I think they made there blockbuster with the Dubois/Laine trade
A lot will depend on what happens during the Expansion draft. Seattle has a chance to make or break a lot of teams.
They could potentially make some kind of deal with Seattle for a D man.
What is Copp going to ask for?
Who are they going to protect in the expansion draft?
Who do they feel is ready for full time NHL minutes from their young D?
Who are they going to try and bring back from their UFA crop?
Can this team contend? I think they can but they sure as hell need some help on the blue line.
If they can bring back Perrault and Stastny cheaper that would be great. I think instead of "Vet" 4th line they need to bring in Gus/Vesa. Is Perffetti ready for prime time minutes?
Cant see Hamilton choosing Winnipeg. IF he comes to Canada I expect it will be Toronto.I would make an offer but when was the last chance we signed a marquee FA. He will have plenty of suitors and I doubt he comes here.
Cant see Hamilton choosing Winnipeg. IF he comes to Canada I expect it will be Toronto.