Post-Game Talk: Jets Crowned 3-2

[JetsFan815]

The Wheeler hate here is sad. Now people want him off the team? Lol.

Wheeler had a tough game, the puck didn't seem to settle for him. That said too many players have looked like complete ass with Laine on their line for people to write off Wheeler esp considering Wheeler started off pretty well when Ehlers was on that line. I am looking forward to seeing Wheeler with Little and Connor for a few games.

 

[surixon]

I have one too -
They don't play very well together and our skilled guys hang on the puck too long -
They pass the puck when they run out of room - and at that point it's too late.

No speed through the neutral zone - we don't break out as a wave - it's one guys trying to beat the blue line with the other 2 watching.
Why are we not hitting those speedy guys with quick passes at full flight?
I don't see a lot of cohesion - at least not tonight.

Maybe it has something to do with our D - IDK, but we need to be much better at moving the puck out of our end and everyone should be involved - not just Ehlers or Scheif.

KC needs to do more than dump - because his line mates are not chasing so what's the point. He's still stuck in first line mode.
Ehlers has blinders on - he's always looking for that cut to the middle and when it's not there, he's too deep to create anything.
Little's just watching at this point because all 3 of them are playing a different game.

Glad they broke up the top 6 and moved wheels down - they all need a shake up. Our zone entries are horrible and I blame most of that on how we move the puck between players -

They need to spend more time working on creating set plays in practice. Need to break some of our players out of the habits that they have entering the zone. It continues to be one of the least worked on areas by our coaching staff.

The dump has been a set play for a while now so maybe its been ingrained a bit too much in a couple of our players.

 

[Ducky10]

I have one too -
They don't play very well together and our skilled guys hang on the puck too long -
They pass the puck when they run out of room - and at that point it's too late.

No speed through the neutral zone - we don't break out as a wave - it's one guys trying to beat the blue line with the other 2 watching.
Why are we not hitting those speedy guys with quick passes at full flight?
I don't see a lot of cohesion - at least not tonight.

Maybe it has something to do with our D - IDK, but we need to be much better at moving the puck out of our end and everyone should be involved - not just Ehlers or Scheif.

KC needs to do more than dump - because his line mates are not chasing so what's the point. He's still stuck in first line mode.
Ehlers has blinders on - he's always looking for that cut to the middle and when it's not there, he's too deep to create anything.
Little's just watching at this point because all 3 of them are playing a different game.

Glad they broke up the top 6 and moved wheels down - they all need a shake up. Our zone entries are horrible and I blame most of that on how we move the puck between players -

And those are just the problems with the puck....

 

[JetsFan815]

Would Seattle even take Wheeler if we left him exposed? I wouldn't protect him.

You went full Sip there...

 

[AWSAA]

You went full Sip there...

ehhhh..... if they took 3 years of Wheeler or Little post-decline off our books it would be an absolute godsend.

 

[204hockey]

Button really went after Babcock tonight, wish Button would be honest about Maurice and say what he really thinks about the NHL’s most losing coach!

where can i hear it.. i love anytime someone blasts that smug goober!

 

[204hockey]

Not very many dmen can play with plugs in such a role, even Doughty was awful last year when forced to play 6/7 dmen in Forbert. I have never sold the other two short, both are big losses and helped contribute substantially. Good players generally need to play with other good players to get the most out of them. Even McDavid needs a Draisital to run shot gun with him. Just get JoMo a good top 4 partner and he'll look much better.

yep just sucks if we have to give up a good asset for no reason now. should have been done in the off season but the buff plans screwed that up. lets hope calgary shits the bed and gives us hamonic for pionk at the dead line lol

 

[204hockey]

The Wheeler hate here is sad. Now people want him off the team? Lol.

Is he having a poor start? Sure. Was he a joy to watch this game? No. But the microscoping, scapegoating, and cherry-picking of micro-events is ridiculous imho. It seems like some of you spend half your posts complaining about him. If a single player is causing you that much stress...to the point where you hyper-examine every play he makes....time to step back a little.

hard to blame them when 8 mill for another 5 years after this season.. thats a star player salary and long term for an aging player. i love the guy but he is frustrating and a huge reason why we will either be good or bad

 

[surixon]

yep just sucks if we have to give up a good asset for no reason now. should have been done in the off season but the buff plans screwed that up. lets hope calgary ****s the bed and gives us hamonic for pionk at the dead line lol

Yeah at this point unless you can offload a Perrault and a 2nd for a dmen on a team looking for some offense we are best off waiting until next year and go big Whale hunting in FA. The crop of UFA dmen is quite good.

We also will have the second line C hole that needs to be solved.

 

[bennylundholm]

hard to blame them when 8 mill for another 5 years after this season.. thats a star player salary and long term for an aging player. i love the guy but he is frustrating and a huge reason why we will either be good or bad

Ya, I'll take my anti-Wheeler pill tonight and hope it works.
Just frustrating that Maurice is hanging his hat on Wheeler running the crappy PP and a boatload of icetime when he stumbles around out there and makes one gaffe after another.

 

[surixon]

hard to blame them when 8 mill for another 5 years after this season.. thats a star player salary and long term for an aging player. i love the guy but he is frustrating and a huge reason why we will either be good or bad

He is also at the age that most players really start to fall off. I hope for the best but I expect his overall effectiveness to decline over the next number of years. I actually think his play has declined the prior two seasons but his point totals were buoyed by PP production. It seems that his point totals are starting to match his on ice play. I think he needs to play less to get the most out of him, he should no longer be expected to be able to play massive minutes in all situations at his age. That isn't hating on the player, it is just reality for most older players. We have younger players who are now starting to or have eclipsed him in impact, only natural to get those kids more minutes.

 

[LucianoBorsato]

Hopefully Mark Letestu is back soon to whip the boys in shape

 

[surixon]

And those are just the problems with the puck....

Have to wonder if the message is starting to get stale between coach and players. I get the defense isn't talented but just seems to be a lot of the same issues over and over again. Nothing is really changing on this team and perhaps a new perspective unlocks some things in this team.

 

[wabagee]

He is also at the age that most players really start to fall off. I hope for the best but I expect his overall effectiveness to decline over the next number of years. I actually think his play has declined the prior two seasons but his point totals were buoyed by PP production. It seems that his point totals are starting to match his on ice play. I think he needs to play less to get the most out of him, he should no longer be expected to be able to play massive minutes in all situations at his age. That isn't hating on the player, it is just reality for most older players. We have younger players who are now starting to or have eclipsed him in impact, only natural to get those kids more minutes.

Now our biggest paid players are none existent! One doesn’t play and the other is lost in the clouds. I hope Wheeler wakes up!

 

[Mbraunm]

I agree that Wheeler’s ice time must be reigned in to increase his effectiveness. Over 20 minutes is likely too much for him and it shows.

He belongs on the second line and will likely reignite that great chemistry with Little.

 

[Adam da bomb]

How'd Heinola look?

 

[snowkiddin]

Oilers also on the verge of losing 2 in a row and my Oiler fan buddy has been pretty quiet last few days. More positives

We here at HFJets are the glass half-full type! (@nobody imp0rtant not withstanding)

 

[WPGChief]

This team either needs to write off the season immediately after the Heritage Classic and prepare their assets for the future (i.e. sending Heinola and Gustafsson down to let ELCs slide, getting Stanley and Veslainen up to play meaningful minutes) or make both a systemic and personnel change to try and save this season. This team will go nowhere playing like they have struggling to put up 50+ CF/60 and 2+ xGF/60 during 5v5 play (AKA 80% of the game) if they can't convert on the power play or stop getting scored on on the penalty kill.

They've been under 45% xGF% at 5v5 (SVA) 6 of the 11 games played thus far, with 3 of those 6 being under 40% and another two being dangerously close to that mark. This is nowhere near the 5v5 powerhouse we saw in the 2017-18 season, and certainly isn't even close to the PP dominance displayed then either.

 

[Zippity]

Have to wonder if the message is starting to get stale between coach and players. I get the defense isn't talented but just seems to be a lot of the same issues over and over again. Nothing is really changing on this team and perhaps a new perspective unlocks some things in this team.

What’s left in Huddys contract? Surely they have a spot for him on the Moose

 

[LucianoBorsato]

What’s left in Huddys contract?

I think he has life time tenureship

 

[wabagee]

How'd Heinola look?

Looked tired and is going to take more penalties to keep up. Needs a year or two.

 

[ATLbound]

I agree that Wheeler’s ice time must be reigned in to increase his effectiveness. Over 20 minutes is likely too much for him and it shows.

He belongs on the second line and will likely reignite that great chemistry with Little.

Wheeler started skating more after the switch. Hands were still bad. But I thought they created chances just off the work of 26 and 18 and Connors speed and shooting. I want to see more of them they are suited for each other well. Top line after 55-29 were also brutal looked much better with Ehlers. I guess we will find out tomorrow. Sucks that next game is a crap shoot on outdoor ice

 

[LucianoBorsato]

Looked tired and is going to take more penalties to keep up. Needs a year or two.

Yeah I can't see him being able to play a full season, has to work on his stamina. Which is fine, he will end up being a good one.

 

[surixon]

This team either needs to write off the season immediately after the Heritage Classic and prepare their assets for the future (i.e. sending Heinola and Gustafsson down to let ELCs slide, getting Stanley and Veslainen up to play meaningful minutes) or make both a systemic and personnel change to try and save this season. This team will go nowhere playing like they have struggling to put up 50+ CF/60 and 2+ xGF/60 during 5v5 play (AKA 80% of the game) if they can't convert on the power play or stop getting scored on on the penalty kill.

They've been under 45% xGF% at 5v5 (SVA) 6 of the 11 games played thus far, with 3 of those 6 being under 40% and another two being dangerously close to that mark. This is nowhere near the 5v5 powerhouse we saw in the 2017-18 season, and certainly isn't even close to the PP dominance displayed then either.

I'd give it until game 20 as that is the usual amount of time that it takes to input a new system if that is even what they are doing.... but I agree the team ain't going anywhere playing as they have.

Chevy has a big time decision to make but it looks like the team is multiple pieces away from making any type of turn around. I can't see how he can acquire the assets needed to do so inseason. A soft tank retool year wouldn't be the worst move and it may allow us to get one more key impact piece in a crucial position like C. I also think a new voice is needed behind the bench but it also might be best to wait until the offseason for when there is more of a market.

 

[DharmaBum]