Player Discussion: Kyle Connor

[peter sullivan]

Personally, I think Copp is a keeper. He has a lot of attributes that you want on a championship caliber team. He can play with talent, but also bring something in lower roles. He can kill penalties, play C and he's a big body that can really skate. His offense keeps getting better, and he actually has a good scoring touch with a good shot. I know the stats might disagree at this point, but I don't mind keeping him over Dano and Petan, all things considered. I think he'll be a key bottom-6 player for this team even as it transitions into a contender.

Yeah. I don't see it. Wasn't a scorer before turning pro. Hasn't shown much of it as a pro. Despite having some nice opportunity with two of the best players in the NHL. He was fine, but as soon as he was replaced by a skilled player (MP) the line took off. He kills penalties, but to say he is a good penalty killer isn't really proven either. Lots of guys can kill penalties. Need more to stay in the NHL.

I don't hate him, I just think he's at best a fourth line player and on a talented team is a bubble player. I hate seeing him on the power play or on the top line. Hopefully the Jets roster improves enough next year that he is challenged for his place.

 

[Atoyot]

Yeah. I don't see it. Wasn't a scorer before turning pro. Hasn't shown much of it as a pro. Despite having some nice opportunity with two of the best players in the NHL. He was fine, but as soon as he was replaced by a skilled player (MP) the line took off. He kills penalties, but to say he is a good penalty killer isn't really proven either. Lots of guys can kill penalties. Need more to stay in the NHL.

I don't hate him, I just think he's at best a fourth line player and on a talented team is a bubble player. I hate seeing him on the power play or on the top line. Hopefully the Jets roster improves enough next year that he is challenged for his place.

In the 5 games he was with Scheif and Wheeler their stats were:

Scheif - 8 points
Wheeler - 6 points
Copp - 5 points

So they all played above their average. Small sample size but you can't really say he was just "fine" or that they took off after he was taken off the line.

I've been saying it for awhile, but I really do see more offensive upside with Copp than I do with Lowry.

 

[csk]

Yeah. I don't see it. Wasn't a scorer before turning pro. Hasn't shown much of it as a pro. Despite having some nice opportunity with two of the best players in the NHL. He was fine, but as soon as he was replaced by a skilled player (MP) the line took off. He kills penalties, but to say he is a good penalty killer isn't really proven either. Lots of guys can kill penalties. Need more to stay in the NHL.

I don't hate him, I just think he's at best a fourth line player and on a talented team is a bubble player. I hate seeing him on the power play or on the top line. Hopefully the Jets roster improves enough next year that he is challenged for his place.

The role I want for Copp moving forward is as the 12th/13th fwd. As far as I see it he's competing with Matthias for 4th line LW.

 

[10Ducky10]

I hope Connor competes with MP for a LW spot.
Honestly though, I wouldn't mind a Connor Roslo Armia line.

 

[Flair Hay]

I hope Connor competes with MP for a LW spot.
Honestly though, I wouldn't mind a Connor Roslo Armia line.

I'd like to see them try out Connor a bit on the PK. His speed could be a big asset there. Would take time, but could pay off big time in the long run.

 

[10Ducky10]

PP for me...Connor on the right side and Laine on the left side.

 

[mazmin]

In the 5 games he was with Scheif and Wheeler their stats were:

Scheif - 8 points
Wheeler - 6 points
Copp - 5 points

So they all played above their average. Small sample size but you can't really say he was just "fine" or that they took off after he was taken off the line.

I've been saying it for awhile, but I really do see more offensive upside with Copp than I do with Lowry.

I too see an offensive upside. He's a classic late bloomer that didn't full commit to hockey until his late teens. He has natural athletic ability, superb co-ordination and always works hard. I think he'll continue to improve.

 

[mazmin]

PP for me...Connor on the right side and Laine on the left side.

Ehlers Scheifele Wheeler

Laine Connor

...Like this?

 

[mazmin]

I hope Connor competes with MP for a LW spot.
Honestly though, I wouldn't mind a Connor Roslo Armia line.

Or we can keep Armia with Lowry and try Dano on the right wing where he belongs?

 

[Nickel eye Heel hers]

Ehlers Scheifele Wheeler

Laine Connor

...Like this?

Laine Petan Connor is how I'd like to see the second PP if they were experimenting next season.

 

[10Ducky10]

Trouba on point and Buff screening the goalie.
Scheif in between Laine (LW)and Connor (RW).
2PP
Morrissey on point with Lowry screening the goalie.
Little in between Wheeler or Armia (LW) and MP (RW).

I'd have Lowry Armia Trouba and Morrissey on the 1PK and
Matthias Copp Myers and Buff on the 2PK.

 

[10Ducky10]

Laine Petan Connor is how I'd like to see the second PP if they were experimenting next season.

If Petan can't crack the top 9, he should play with the Moose and be the first call up.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

Point per game with the Moose isn't good enough?

I expect him to play with the Jets next year on the third line paired with Lowry and Armia.

Next season I see:

Laine Scheif Ehlers
Perrault Little Wheeler
Connor Lowry Armia
Copp Roslovic Petan/Tanev/Mathias

Dano to LV in expansion draft.

I think we're better off exposing Armia because we could end up getting him back because Vegas will most likely place him in the press box or AHL because their roster will be so full. Dano will most likely get a chance.

I also think we should trade Dano and Petan (and other assets) to a team where they'll get more playing time and get something good that we need.

 

[BoneDocUK]

New piece by Garret on KC up on Jertsnation:

https://jetsnation.ca/2017/05/12/pilots-logbook-kyle-connor-2016-2017/

 

[Arthur Fonzarelli]

New piece by Garret on KC up on Jetsnation:

https://jetsnation.ca/2017/05/12/pilots-logbook-kyle-connor-2016-2017/

As Garret brings up though, there's really not much data on Connor to properly evaluate him with any of the criteria he typically uses.

I was hoping he'd have had some access to AHL statistics to better state Connor's case in this article beyond:

"Connor acclimated himself well, being the highest point per game and second highest shot per game under-20 forward with at least 20 games in the AHL."

Somewhere else I read Connor picked up something like 15 goals in his last 20 AHL games, but I'm not about to go thru 60 games of box scores to verify exactly how he finished. Perhaps someone else knows?

Obviously his 2nd half in the AHL should speak greater to his 2016-2017 season than his limited time in the NHL prior to Christmas.

 

[surixon]

As Garret brings up though, there's really not much data on Connor to properly evaluate him with any of the criteria he typically uses.

I was hoping he'd have had some access to AHL statistics to better state Connor's case in this article beyond:

"Connor acclimated himself well, being the highest point per game and second highest shot per game under-20 forward with at least 20 games in the AHL."

Somewhere else I read Connor picked up something like 15 goals in his last 20 AHL game, but I'm not about to go thru 60 games of box scores to verify exactly how he finished. Perhaps someone else knows?

Obviously his 2nd half in the AHL should speak greater to his 2016-2017 season than his limited time in the NHL prior to Christmas.

I'm sure Garret has access but most stuff AHL wise is propriety.

 

[ps241]

It was a one game sample size but like Morrissey the year before anyone with a pulse could tell Kyle Connor was a completely different player at the end of the season than the guy with the Jets at the beginning of the season. He was like a more mature responsible version of the player I saw dominate in Michigan.

 

[truck]

In the 5 games he was with Scheif and Wheeler their stats were:

Scheif - 8 points
Wheeler - 6 points
Copp - 5 points

So they all played above their average. Small sample size but you can't really say he was just "fine" or that they took off after he was taken off the line.

I've been saying it for awhile, but I really do see more offensive upside with Copp than I do with Lowry.

Copp reminds me of Craig Smith or Colin Wilson. He'll score enough if he's put in a bigger role, but he's not ideally suited for that bigger role - at least not as a driver. He's a nice bit player that can fill a hole in a lineup and help a smart coach spread out his skill.

If he can be played with Scheof and Wheeler - without talking them it is a huge plus for lines 2 and 3. Same is true for someome like Petan. He looked great with Wheeler. Use that! Build depth. We've seen Kessel, Ovi and Perry on 3rd lines in these playoffs and it isn't because they are bad.

 

[Hank Chinaski]

As Garret brings up though, there's really not much data on Connor to properly evaluate him with any of the criteria he typically uses.

I was hoping he'd have had some access to AHL statistics to better state Connor's case in this article beyond:

"Connor acclimated himself well, being the highest point per game and second highest shot per game under-20 forward with at least 20 games in the AHL."

Somewhere else I read Connor picked up something like 15 goals in his last 20 AHL games, but I'm not about to go thru 60 games of box scores to verify exactly how he finished. Perhaps someone else knows?

Obviously his 2nd half in the AHL should speak greater to his 2016-2017 season than his limited time in the NHL prior to Christmas.

17 goals in his last 20 games:

http://theahl.com/stats/player/6571

 

[Weezeric]

Over/under 50 points for Connor next year. I'm thinking over. I compare him to Ehlers in his d+2 and d+3 seasons. The only difference being Connor could get sent down to the AHL and Ehlers could not.

 

[garret9]

Over/under 50 points for Connor next year. I'm thinking over. I compare him to Ehlers in his d+2 and d+3 seasons. The only difference being Connor could get sent down to the AHL and Ehlers could not.

Ehlers got banned to Thorburn land instead.

 

[10Ducky10]

Over/under 50 points for Connor next year. I'm thinking over. I compare him to Ehlers in his d+2 and d+3 seasons. The only difference being Connor could get sent down to the AHL and Ehlers could not.

40-45 points.

 

[Whileee]

Copp reminds me of Craig Smith or Colin Wilson. He'll score enough if he's put in a bigger role, but he's not ideally suited for that bigger role - at least not as a driver. He's a nice bit player that can fill a hole in a lineup and help a smart coach spread out his skill.

If he can be played with Scheof and Wheeler - without talking them it is a huge plus for lines 2 and 3. Same is true for someome like Petan. He looked great with Wheeler. Use that! Build depth. We've seen Kessel, Ovi and Perry on 3rd lines in these playoffs and it isn't because they are bad.

Great points.

 

[Weezeric]

Ehlers got banned to Thorburn land instead.

Yup, I think he would have rather gone to the AHL

 

[Evil Little]

Copp reminds me of Craig Smith or Colin Wilson. He'll score enough if he's put in a bigger role, but he's not ideally suited for that bigger role - at least not as a driver. He's a nice bit player that can fill a hole in a lineup and help a smart coach spread out his skill.

If he can be played with Scheof and Wheeler - without talking them it is a huge plus for lines 2 and 3. Same is true for someome like Petan. He looked great with Wheeler. Use that! Build depth. We've seen Kessel, Ovi and Perry on 3rd lines in these playoffs and it isn't because they are bad.

Great points.

Yes, this is a very good point indeed. Now, Truck, if you don't mind making it again next season when everyone here is freaking the **** out about player usage, that would be great.