Post-Game Talk: The Wild Life

[sipowicz]

None of the three are good defensemen at this level. This is over a meaningful sample size. I am sick of wasting a potentially useful one in Niku.

The problem is evident. Part of the solution is too.

Niku is no better defensively than anyone currently playing D, offensively made yes. Not sure Niku would even be up with the Jets if Poolman didn’t have a wonky head!

 

[JetsWillFly4Ever]

We need to shake the top 6 up. Our second line right now is a wasteland, and Scheifs line hasn't been great for a while either. It's time to try Laine back with Scheif and see if we can get him going.

I'd like to see Perreault - Scheif - Laine, Connor - Little - Wheeler.

and that comment about us not making the playoffs is hilarious lol if we don't make the playoffs I'll change my avy to whatever anyone wants, there's no chance.

 

[tntkid]

0-3 against the Wild.

On a positive note, they had zero shots against in the third. That’s pretty damn impressive. I hope they remember this when the puck drops tonight.

Once the Wild got the lead on us they basically only played defense in the 3rd to preserve their 2 goal lead and get the 2 points.
They knew that they did not need anymore goals to win.

The NJ Devils won multiple cups with this boring style of play

 

[Maukkis]

Niku is no better defensively than anyone currently playing D, offensively made yes. Not sure Niku would even be up with the Jets if Poolman didn’t have a wonky head!

Once again, I would not have a problem with this statement if the team didn't ice players who have nothing to give at either end of the rink.

 

[The Blue Baron]

All hail Le Croossant!

 

[HPsauce]

Best player on the ice last night was Ben Charoit. It's pretty amazing how well he's playing this year, and the most I've heard on here, and on the radio about his play is that he's "actually been playing good". In my opinion, he's a sure fire NHL caliber defenseman.

His skating and puck control have improved leaps.

 

[Teppo]

Once the Wild got the lead on us they basically only played defense in the 3rd to preserve their 2 goal lead and get the 2 points.
They knew that they did not need anymore goals to win.

The NJ Devils won multiple cups with this boring style of play

Except the NJ Devils did it all game long and were able to get away with a massive amount of clutching and grabbing that is no longer allowed in the NHL.

First two periods Wild played a very aggressive forecheck. Very often all three F's below the faceoff dots, D's pinched on almost every 50/50 opportunity.

Third period they just sat back. Sign of a team that lacks confidence (which I think the Wild do).

 

[HannuJ]

Best player on the ice last night was Ben Charoit. It's pretty amazing how well he's playing this year, and the most I've heard on here, and on the radio about his play is that he's "actually been playing good". In my opinion, he's a sure fire NHL caliber defenseman.

His skating and puck control have improved leaps.

Chiarot's a sure-fire 6th dman for most contending teams that aren't the Penguins or Leafs.
him growing "leaps" is more of a statement of what he was previously.

he's a player for whom you need to delve into the advanced stats and not just rely on one good rush for forming an opinion. PDO is 101, Fenwick is -4.

 

[Jet]

You really think the Jets aren't making the playoffs? The wild turtled big time and held on for dear life. The Jets had an almost unbelievable 91% CF in the 3rd and the Wild didn't get a single shot on net.

But, but, but the sky is falling!

There are 2 differences between this years and last years Jets:
- They don't have anything to prove this year, and they are obviously not playing with a chip on their shoulders right now. There doesn't seem to be a sense of urgency night in and night out. They simply got out hustled tonight. They can break the Wild trap (and did in the 3rd) but it takes effort and desire, lacking sometimes this season
- Helle is average. Not BAD, average. He was a Vezina finalist last year (should have won it IMO) and this year, he's average. He's not costing the Jets games but he certainly isn't winning us many, either.

Despite all this, we are ONE point off of our pace (last year after 43 games we had actually won LESS 25-11-7). But sure, Fire Maurice

 

[Jet]

Jets need to add an aggressive forward that scares the crap out of the opposition and can score, anyone know where to find one.

Let me hop on XBOX live

 

[Jet]

Best player on the ice last night was Ben Charoit. It's pretty amazing how well he's playing this year, and the most I've heard on here, and on the radio about his play is that he's "actually been playing good". In my opinion, he's a sure fire NHL caliber defenseman.

His skating and puck control have improved leaps.

Chia will never get credit around here. The opinion of him has been cemented. I think he's been real good, and last night he stepped up in the absence of Buff and Myers in the 3rd. I hope he can continue to grow as a defenseman. He's showing a real smart level of physicality, he's got a bomb, and he's starting to finally be more comfortable with the puck. To me, he's just the type of cheap, reliable defenseman that fills out a good D Corps.

PS, Wiebe suggesting us kicking the tires on Muzzin last night really made me salivate. We could really use Jake at the TD

 

[Jet]

People need to stop thinking this is lasts year team. They are not. Not even close. They could fall apart easily. We are not immune from a long losing streak. Wouldn't bet a plug nickel on them making playoffs.

Yet we have more wins and are only one point off of our pace last year despite having average goaltending.

Hmmmmmmmm

 

[Jet]

Everytime I looked up and saw the 2nd line getting clown pounded, there were 5 and 70. Kuli was playing well with a rejuvenated Myers, but he doesn't have what it takes to drag Morrow around.

Zero transition with those guys on the ice, but yeah, it's Little and Laine.

But wait, all of Morrows numbers are greeeeen doesn't that mean hes gooooodd?

 

[Jet]

I wonder if Maurice knows he is legally allowed to use Niku and bench all of Myers, Chiarot, and Morrow.

Thank god you aren't the coach.

Bench Myers or Chia for Niku? Sheesh.

I'd be on board with Morrow because Morrow has not been defensively effective at all so at least Niku could overcome his defensive ineptness with some offense and transition.

Your love of Niku is clouding your judgement.

 

[Jet]

The one upside is the more experience our team gets against the trap the better even if we lose. That is clearly the path to beat us and I would prefer to work through the issues now rather than get beat in a series in the playoffs. With the Wild we know it’s coming.......where it suprised me last season was when Nashville flicked a switch in the playoffs and dominated us (frustrated is a better word I guess) with the trap. If not for a leaky Rinne we were probably done after Lavy wisely adapted. I was shocked a team that good needed to turtle but man was it effective. Rinne was so bad though he broke their trap for us.

The Jets need all the practice they can get against a trap team so bring it. 3rd period was encouraging but the Wild have owned us this season with this style and until we prove we can beat it I will remain concerned. The recipe is pretty clear for the entire league to see how to play us........it’s our move now.

If the Jets put playoff effort into this game they win going away IMO

 

[Jetfaninflorida]

Probably the best rested fans in all the league with the perpetual napping

They sure are energetic when they are spanking us.

 

[KingBogo]

The one upside is the more experience our team gets against the trap the better even if we lose. That is clearly the path to beat us and I would prefer to work through the issues now rather than get beat in a series in the playoffs. With the Wild we know it’s coming.......where it suprised me last season was when Nashville flicked a switch in the playoffs and dominated us (frustrated is a better word I guess) with the trap. If not for a leaky Rinne we were probably done after Lavy wisely adapted. I was shocked a team that good needed to turtle but man was it effective. Rinne was so bad though he broke their trap for us.

The Jets need all the practice they can get against a trap team so bring it. 3rd period was encouraging but the Wild have owned us this season with this style and until we prove we can beat it I will remain concerned. The recipe is pretty clear for the entire league to see how to play us........it’s our move now.

Agreed I like the fact that the Wild are desperate enough to pull out that type of trap game mid season, and I'm not worried about adapting. It isn't rocket science. Either score first or dump, chase, retrieve and then play a cycle game. Just takes a lot of work and sacrifice and a few more players that are a little more proficient at that type of game.

 

[Gil Fisher]

But, but, but the sky is falling!

There are 2 differences between this years and last years Jets:
- They don't have anything to prove this year, and they are obviously not playing with a chip on their shoulders right now. There doesn't seem to be a sense of urgency night in and night out. They simply got out hustled tonight. They can break the Wild trap (and did in the 3rd) but it takes effort and desire, lacking sometimes this season
- Helle is average. Not BAD, average. He was a Vezina finalist last year (should have won it IMO) and this year, he's average. He's not costing the Jets games but he certainly isn't winning us many, either.

Despite all this, we are ONE point off of our pace (last year after 43 games we had actually won LESS 25-11-7). But sure, Fire Maurice

One other difference from a fan's perspective. At this time last year, we were still skeptical of what we were seeing because 1984-85 was the last time we saw a team compete at this level.

 

[Jet]

One other difference from a fan's perspective. At this time last year, we were still skeptical of what we were seeing because 1984-85 was the last time we saw a team compete at this level.

This is very astute, Gil

I think we as a fanbase are trying to understand what it's like to watch an elite team play. I'd bet fans of the Pens, Hawks, and Caps went through it too, figuring out that even the best teams are flat sometimes, are down sometimes, and just have poor luck occasionally. We are expecting our team to play at their peak level every minute of every game, and we ignore that there are 2 teams on the ice - the other of which might be desperate and have a lot more on the line than us on any given night.

I'd rather play at a 'season level' during the 82 games, have a few less points and more energy and health for the season that actually matters.

 

[KingBogo]

But, but, but the sky is falling!

There are 2 differences between this years and last years Jets:
- They don't have anything to prove this year, and they are obviously not playing with a chip on their shoulders right now. There doesn't seem to be a sense of urgency night in and night out. They simply got out hustled tonight. They can break the Wild trap (and did in the 3rd) but it takes effort and desire, lacking sometimes this season
- Helle is average. Not BAD, average. He was a Vezina finalist last year (should have won it IMO) and this year, he's average. He's not costing the Jets games but he certainly isn't winning us many, either.

Despite all this, we are ONE point off of our pace (last year after 43 games we had actually won LESS 25-11-7). But sure, Fire Maurice

This exactly. Don't get all this angst about Maurice not being able to adapt to a trap game. Of course he knows how to adapt to a trap game, its not a hard strategy, but it requires a lot of hard work by the players and some self sacrifice. And I'm not sure it is in Maurice's best interest to try to light that fire quite yet when we are 3 months from the playoffs and 95% of the teams won't play that way mid season. There is also the fact most of our players definitely prefer a more creative transition game so you will need their buy in. My final thought is there is little wonder why Maurice seems so fond of Lemieux as he far more suited to a dump and chase counter trap attack than his other 12th forward options.

 

[Jets 31]

TSN turning point , Lowry hits the post with a great shot and the Wild come down and score . That's the save i want Helly to make for us , if he stops it we win that game or at the very least we pick up a loser point .

 

[GaryPoppins]

TSN turning point , Lowry hits the post with a great shot and the Wild come down and score . That's the save i want Helly to make for us , if he stops it we win that game or at the very least we pick up a loser point .

No one is stopping that Zucker goal.

 

[Jets 31]

No one is stopping that Zucker goal.

It was a very nice goal but i think if Helly came out and challenged more maybe Zucker can't roof it like he did .

 

[Jets 31]

I also thought Helly was too deep in his net on the first goal , but what do i know . Goal is a very tough position to play , i did play for many years but not anywhere as good as the NHL , not even close .

 

[Do or Die]

Helly takes a lot of heat (some of it well deserved).....but many goals have been scored, this year.... with an opposing player standing 2 feet in front of him.