Jets were in the same boat as Tampa Bay in injuries, and more than Dallas. Everyone seems to cut them some slack for missing the playoffs last year, but not the Jets who lost more significant man-games. Add Kulikov for Stuart, Mason for Hutch / Pavelec, and more experience for Laine, Ehlers, Morrissey, etc.
Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets?
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Jets were in the same boat as Tampa Bay in injuries, and more than Dallas. Everyone seems to cut them some slack for missing the playoffs last year, but not the Jets who lost more significant man-games. Add Kulikov for Stuart, Mason for Hutch / Pavelec, and more experience for Laine, Ehlers, Morrissey, etc.
Zhamnov5GoalGame
Former Director of GDT Operations
Every fan base has some cocky fans.
There is certainly some hope and optimism around our parts.
In part because the team did address major areas of concern and maybe more importantly for the first time the team is talking about NOW.
Winning now.
Not just focusing on developing.
The Jets likely could have signed some vets and made the playoffs again in 2015-16. But in reality they would have likely only ever played in the first round. Management and ownership made the choice to go young and re-tool for a true longer term contender.
The lottery sped that up but last years injuries etc... delayed the step forward.
1. Yes they have the same coach, a guy who was being directed to coach a certain way. In 2014-15 the Jets had great team defense and were very tough to play against. That was under Maurice, lets see what he does with this line up. NOTE - I'm all on board for firing his @#$ if they are not trending towards playoffs by December.
2. As mentioned many times Mason's average is better than basically anything we've had and Hutch's Dec-15th to Mar-15th stretch where he won a total of ZERO games is very easy to improve upon. The worst stretch for Hellebuyck last year was when mgt gave up on Hutch and rode Helle into the ground. Average goaltending would put the Jets in the playoffs in most of their seasons so far.
3. Special teams - no doubt. They did improve in both categories from January on last year. They also actually talked about needing to reduce PM's etc... Maurice seemed to defend the style of play in previous seasons. A change in attitude there would be good. We still need to take some penalties, how else would Armia score his goals
4. Kulikov was not the biggest roster addition but he is part of it. No Trouba hold out (20 games), Myers playing more than 11 games, Kulikov replacing the Stuart / Chiarot's of the world, Mason alone should be worth a few wins over last year. Kyle Connor... he may have one of the biggest impacts to the teams success. His 18 goals in 21 games to end last season was very impressive. Jets never played a full game with their top 6 D last year. Enstrom and Myers are likely our 3rd pair to start the year. These guys can play big minutes, move the puck well and can shut people down. Considering the tire fire that our 3rd pair has traditionally been this is HUGE. Even the AHL D roster looks way better with Niku, Poolman and a more experienced Nogier pushing the Melchiori's of the world out of the way.
5. The Central Division is tough. But we dominated those teams in head to head competition. On paper I think 3 of the teams got weaker, Blues held ground and the Av's don't appear to have done much to improve their fortunes. People always say if your in who is out? I don't care. I just know if the Jets get 97 - 99 points they will likely be in.
6. Shot %'s may regress but I would not expect their offensive out put to. Scheif has been among the league leaders in scoring since Little's injury in the 2015 - 16 season. That's a year and a half. Not just a hot month or something. Laine is just 19 and had his first chance to actually train for a summer. The improved transition they will get from their D and the addition of Connor along with some improvements from Laine and Ehlers and I see these guys lighting it up again. There's so much room for improvement in PP scoring which may off set any other drops. Laine increases everyone's shooting % that he plays with. Some teams over played him so much it was comical last year. 2 guys covering him in the high slot and leaving a completely unchecked Ehlers to walk out of the corner and deke the goalie. Both Laine and Scheifele could shoot a lot more then they do. That and having great shots / releases contribute to the really high shooting %'s.
I totally get any wait and see point of views.
I think if they get average health issues then they will push for a top 3 spot in the Central.
Anything short of the playoffs would be a complete disaster!
firstemperor
Registered User
- May 25, 2011
- 8,755
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IMO, think that's pretty optimistic (not faulting you for it). Jets had 87 points last year. For reference, Leafs had 95 points- off of a lineup consisting mainly of rookies, pretty bad start to the year in terms of game management fundamentals (managing leads entering the 3rd ,losing a lot of close games to start the year), and a horrific shootout performance.
So by your logic as the two as comparables...the Jets will improve pretty dramatically and the Leafs will ~stagnate or maybe a very modest improvement. I'm only bringing up the Leafs here because you mentioned them...my personal opinion is that they don't necessarily need to be in the discussion here and don't mean to derail anything.
I don't deny the Jets have the pieces in place to make the playoffs but it's been an ongoing theme for the Jets for years now and every year, the core doesn't get it done (obviously there were extraneous factors like special teams and goaltending). I do think that this is a bit of a generality though- the core is different now than in years past....and obviously, the growth of Ehlers and Laine have to be factored.
Agreed, coaching has a huge impact on special teams but so does personnel, to some degree (you need players that can block shots, win puck battles consistently down-low and ideally have some speed in the perimeter to close the gap/passing lanes faster and create pressure on the offensive team).
Keeping it with the Leafs and Jets. As mentioned earlier, I personally think the Jets can be what the Leafs were last year (~wild card team)...they have their warts, probably less so than the Leafs last year but play in a tougher division. I think if they fundamentally fix their special teams, they are probably closer to a wild card lock. If not, it's hard to imagine any team making the playoffs soundly with poor special teams...it's just too important in today's NHL.
PhilJets
This is our Year
The team should make it but it will be tough battle.
They assembled enough good to great players , that this. Year they should make it.
Last 2 years were the transistor years to the kids.
Only buff wheeler little and enstrom left
It was too bad that helly didn't run with it.
Helly has a good pedigree , here's hoping he bounce back. I believe he will.
If Kyle Connor fly this year, that is a great boost as well.
Rookie of the year candidate especially if he flanks little and wheeler or little and ehlers.
Jets were in a hole from the get go last year.
No little and trouba to start the year and with that insane schedule, the team was in trouble.
Go jets go.
Let the season begin!
We are not cocky,
All fans hope for the best at the start of the year.
It is a fresh season.
They assembled enough good to great players , that this. Year they should make it.
Last 2 years were the transistor years to the kids.
Only buff wheeler little and enstrom left
It was too bad that helly didn't run with it.
Helly has a good pedigree , here's hoping he bounce back. I believe he will.
If Kyle Connor fly this year, that is a great boost as well.
Rookie of the year candidate especially if he flanks little and wheeler or little and ehlers.
Jets were in a hole from the get go last year.
No little and trouba to start the year and with that insane schedule, the team was in trouble.
Go jets go.
Let the season begin!
We are not cocky,
All fans hope for the best at the start of the year.
It is a fresh season.
Debrincat93
Registered User
Uncle Scrooge
Hockey Bettor
Personally, don't think he's part of the future.
That being said, this is the year he can still show us something new. But that would just be a plus i feel like, not really counting on him to do anything. If he can take the 3C spot great, if not we got Roslovic coming who could even be ready this year.
Kamiccolo
Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is.
I'll give it a go..
+ One of the best top 6 in the NHL.
+ Improved in goal which was a huge need
+ A full offseason for Laine and him hungry to prove himself. Sure there are some questions regarding his numbers away from Scheif and other little things, but I think he'll have a big year for them.
+ Full season (hopefully) of Trouba should get them a few more wins then they had last year.
- Not a fan of the depth after the top 6. Some arguments including injuries to their top 6 needing to be filled do not look good unless some young players break out.
- After Mason, they still do not have anything. I get this argument can apply to a lot of teams (Even my Leafs) but if Mason gets hurt, they are boned. On that note, it's also possible he doesn't fit in well with the team like other goalies in the past. This is a wait and see.
- Health is used as an excuse, however I am seeing a lot of names that are repeat offenders. At some point, relying on proven injury prone players will come back and haunt you. Even if they can stay healthy most of the year, these guys will not last during a cup run and I do not see the depth to replace them (As we seen last year)
- Not a fan of their summer. First they did not really get better outside of Mason. Kulikov had 5 points last year and was almost -30. He's yet another D who can't stay consistently healthy. They did not address the special teams. They did not address coaching. Even if they wanted to give Maurice another chance, usually teams will fire assistant coaches or whoever else to at least shake it up.
I will say that there is pressure this year unlike other years. Even their own fans are tired of saying "Next year". The hockey world is watching as they try to prove they can be one of the super teams. This is a team who needs to prove they are not like other teams who look good on paper but never get it done when it matters.
+ One of the best top 6 in the NHL.
+ Improved in goal which was a huge need
+ A full offseason for Laine and him hungry to prove himself. Sure there are some questions regarding his numbers away from Scheif and other little things, but I think he'll have a big year for them.
+ Full season (hopefully) of Trouba should get them a few more wins then they had last year.
- Not a fan of the depth after the top 6. Some arguments including injuries to their top 6 needing to be filled do not look good unless some young players break out.
- After Mason, they still do not have anything. I get this argument can apply to a lot of teams (Even my Leafs) but if Mason gets hurt, they are boned. On that note, it's also possible he doesn't fit in well with the team like other goalies in the past. This is a wait and see.
- Health is used as an excuse, however I am seeing a lot of names that are repeat offenders. At some point, relying on proven injury prone players will come back and haunt you. Even if they can stay healthy most of the year, these guys will not last during a cup run and I do not see the depth to replace them (As we seen last year)
- Not a fan of their summer. First they did not really get better outside of Mason. Kulikov had 5 points last year and was almost -30. He's yet another D who can't stay consistently healthy. They did not address the special teams. They did not address coaching. Even if they wanted to give Maurice another chance, usually teams will fire assistant coaches or whoever else to at least shake it up.
I will say that there is pressure this year unlike other years. Even their own fans are tired of saying "Next year". The hockey world is watching as they try to prove they can be one of the super teams. This is a team who needs to prove they are not like other teams who look good on paper but never get it done when it matters.
Luigi Lemieux
Registered User
- Sep 26, 2003
- 21,757
- 13,889
Tampa gets cut some slack because they were in the cup finals in 2015 and the conference finals in 2016. Dallas won the division and had 109 points in 2016. Winnipeg has no track record to fall back on which is why they don't get the benefit of the doubt.
25-30th finish. Underachieving team full of injury prone players coupled with ownership who doesn't care about results. Pretty easy prediction
They certainly aren't going to have any trouble putting the puck in the net, that's for sure. One of the scariest top6 group of forwards in hockey. Keeping the puck out of the net is another story. Bad special teams, a weak (on paper right now) bottom 6 and I have zero confidence that Mason will be the answer for them. The defense is manned by good enough players, so coaching and systems will play a big role there.
They have more than enough talent to compete for the playoffs and should be in the picture for it all year. If things go well for them, I can even see them getting a divisional spot. Things could also go badly. Their play on the ice will do the talking.
They have more than enough talent to compete for the playoffs and should be in the picture for it all year. If things go well for them, I can even see them getting a divisional spot. Things could also go badly. Their play on the ice will do the talking.
Hunter368
RIP lomiller1, see you in the next life buddy.
- Nov 8, 2011
- 27,555
- 27,167
- Top 6 I agree is scary good.
- Bottom 6 unproven but have potential
- Coaching is the biggest concern I have. PK, PP & defensive system are all on coaching
- Mason is fine, noissues imo. People have the wrong idea around Mason. We don't need him to be Price, we just need .910 - .915 from him and we're good. People forget how bad Pavs was.....
- Team discipline is a must, cannot play short handed so much.
WillTheThrill
Registered User
- Mar 2, 2016
- 2,658
- 3,150
They won't make the playoffs. Had some of the worst goaltending in the league last year and they fix that by bringing in Steve Mason? OK.
Uncle Scrooge
Hockey Bettor
I don't claim Mason to be a top 10 goalie in the league, and i'd be surprised to see him post incredible numbers for us and carry us to the playoffs.
However the hate he gets around here is just ridiculous. The guy has averaged 91.7% through the last 4 seasons (56 games per year on average).
Just because he had a tough year last season and he sucks against the Leafs doesn't make him a terrible goalie. For comparison sake, Andersen's numbers over the last 4 years ~ 91.8%, 47 games. And just like Mason, he has couple teams he sucks against. Now im not saying Mason is as good as Andersen, but the difference between the two is definitely a lot smaller than people make it out to be.
Hellebuyck provided us with bottom 5 goaltending last season. To say that Mason isn't going to help us in that area is being a smartass and makes people look incredibly stupid.
- Nov 24, 2006
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Really all the Jets need from new goaltending is league average. They get that, I suspect they are in the playoffs. Mason should be able to deliver that.
TorJet
Registered User
- Jun 27, 2016
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The Jets SHOULD make the playoffs, but the Central division is the wildcard here.
That said, Mason instead of Hutchinson is like a late model Honda Accord (not flash, but solid) instead of a 1987 Chevy Celebrity running on 3 cylinders - as mentioned by other posters, it's not Helle he's replacing, it's Hutch.
Myers is the one of the keys for me - he looked great when he was healthy last year. We'll see if he can even get 60 games this year (I'd be happy with that).
Kulikov is pure depth but was actually an important signing; not only to replace the corpse of Mark Stuart, but also to either: a) bump AHL bottom-4 Dman Ben Chiarot to the press box; or b) cover for whichever of Myers or Enstrom is injured. If all 6 starting dmen are healthy, that's one of the best defences in the league. If the Jets have Chiarot in their lineup for less than 35 games, that is a very good sign.
From there, it comes down to sustained development from Laine, Ehlers, Connor, Petan (or Roslovic) and Morrissey. If they're even the same as they were at the end of last season, scoring goals won't be an issue.
Jets grab the 1st Wild Card is my prediction - St. Louis and Chicago regress, Minnesota isn't quite as good as they were and older teams like Anaheim and San Jose just don't have as much as they once did.
That said, Mason instead of Hutchinson is like a late model Honda Accord (not flash, but solid) instead of a 1987 Chevy Celebrity running on 3 cylinders - as mentioned by other posters, it's not Helle he's replacing, it's Hutch.
Myers is the one of the keys for me - he looked great when he was healthy last year. We'll see if he can even get 60 games this year (I'd be happy with that).
Kulikov is pure depth but was actually an important signing; not only to replace the corpse of Mark Stuart, but also to either: a) bump AHL bottom-4 Dman Ben Chiarot to the press box; or b) cover for whichever of Myers or Enstrom is injured. If all 6 starting dmen are healthy, that's one of the best defences in the league. If the Jets have Chiarot in their lineup for less than 35 games, that is a very good sign.
From there, it comes down to sustained development from Laine, Ehlers, Connor, Petan (or Roslovic) and Morrissey. If they're even the same as they were at the end of last season, scoring goals won't be an issue.
Jets grab the 1st Wild Card is my prediction - St. Louis and Chicago regress, Minnesota isn't quite as good as they were and older teams like Anaheim and San Jose just don't have as much as they once did.
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- Nov 24, 2006
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Actually, I'd say Mason is replacing Hellebuyck (50+ games), and Hellebuyck is replacing Hutchinson (20-25 games).
TorJet
Registered User
- Jun 27, 2016
- 313
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LOL - wow are we dealing in semantics.
That is the definition of splitting hairs.
libertarian
Registered User
Taking the next step because their solid young foundation is a year older and more experienced. It's what good young skilled players do when they become more physically mature and get more NHL experience, progress and become better hockey players.
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The team in the league that takes the most penalties just acquired the worst PK goalie in the NHL to be their new starter. It can be worse.
The Jets are an intriguing team. I always pick them to finish near the top of the division and they always manage to underachieve. I see three things likely happening and looking at projected stats from TSN/ Yahoo/ ESPN, the points are more solidified in my mind.
1. Their best player overall is Blake Wheeler. AINEC. And as usual I'd expect another solid 75 point season from him. Great player, great leader and one of the more underappreciated players on HF.
2. I see Mark Schiefele regress quite a bit. His numbers from last year were quite unsustainable and as good as he really was he's probably not going to put up as good of a season on the statsheet. Overall though he's still a fantastic player and a close second to being their best player overall.
3. I think we're going to see a solid sophomore slump from Laine. He was put in a position to succeed almost right off the bat and he took great advantage of it, like any great players does. However, his shooting % was rediculous and we know about him being a selective shooter and what not but as teams will start to key more on him, his lack of shots and normalized shooting % is going to cost him on the stat sheet. Watching his interviews though, he seems well prepared to have a less than spectacular offensive season. He's a team first guy.
On the good side, I expect having Myers back to be a big boost and I expect Ehlers to take a big step forward. That and not having two bums in net will be big too. Steve Mason is a great goalie and at worst he won't do harm to the team. Jets should sneak in as a bottom wildcard team but again won't hold my breath.
1. Their best player overall is Blake Wheeler. AINEC. And as usual I'd expect another solid 75 point season from him. Great player, great leader and one of the more underappreciated players on HF.
2. I see Mark Schiefele regress quite a bit. His numbers from last year were quite unsustainable and as good as he really was he's probably not going to put up as good of a season on the statsheet. Overall though he's still a fantastic player and a close second to being their best player overall.
3. I think we're going to see a solid sophomore slump from Laine. He was put in a position to succeed almost right off the bat and he took great advantage of it, like any great players does. However, his shooting % was rediculous and we know about him being a selective shooter and what not but as teams will start to key more on him, his lack of shots and normalized shooting % is going to cost him on the stat sheet. Watching his interviews though, he seems well prepared to have a less than spectacular offensive season. He's a team first guy.
On the good side, I expect having Myers back to be a big boost and I expect Ehlers to take a big step forward. That and not having two bums in net will be big too. Steve Mason is a great goalie and at worst he won't do harm to the team. Jets should sneak in as a bottom wildcard team but again won't hold my breath.
Conspiracy Theorist
Registered User
Laine has the best shot in the league and he shoots when he thinks he can score. His shot generation was low in his rookie season.
Zhamnov5GoalGame
Former Director of GDT Operations
I'll have to disagree with the bolded point.
Scheifele is still improving.
Saying his play is unsustainable is fine, but when you actually watch him play you'll see no reason to believe he can't continue to repeat the feat.
He's been a top scorer in the league for a year and half.
Laine raises the shooting % of his line mates, Mark is just a special player and the best is yet to come.
He has a better team around him this year. More options and 3 pairs of D that can play big minutes and move the puck and support the play.
For that same reason I don't think a slump is likely for Laine.
He just has too many good players to play with.
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