Post-Game Talk: Tied for Last! (In the East) Jets lose 3-2

[Snot Rocket]

They didn't have a short training camp in year 1... started and finished at the same time as the rest of the league.

I get what you are saying, but Participation ribbons get given out to everyone and mean nothing. Jets are in the same position as the rest of the league with respect to the amount of time they had to prepare this year and last year.

I actually had a REALLY long reply all typed up, then realized 3 things;

1. No one wants to read that ****
2. There really is no long complicated or complete answer - we are speculating from armchairs.
3. I may be coming off as a Dbag...when I am just here to yap some hockey talk.


So with that, I will try and stay with facts and logic, or at least my best facsimile of logic with a healthy sprinkle of speculation.

Everyone knows that the Thrashers as built were a young bubble team at best. The move to the 'peg and slapping a Jets jersey on them was not going to change that fact.

We do not have high end scoring talent on this team that lets other teams get by with less than stellar team play as their big guns can bail them out.
We do not have a goaltender that is playing to his ability for whatever reason.

The shortened training camp in year 1 reference, I should have phrased better. If memory serves me correctly; Noel said last year that they did not get to implement the system he wanted to as there was not enough time with a whole new coaching staff and players coming into camp just after getting moved. He kept it simple...and this year what should have been the expanded system...that got SNAFU'd too.

He has been working with the pieces given, and they have shown marked improvement since the Tampa beat down. There is still work to do, but a good chunk of that also has to come from the players, and they know it.
The forwards are kind of snake bit right now, and we have had, for the lack of a better term, a series of unfortunate events and bad luck as well.
Also seems to be a mental funk going on with some players, the harder they try, the harder they fail.

Anyway it is late, Jets lost (fact) and I do not have any more beer (fact).

See? I busted out some facts.

This is still kind of long.

 

[roccerfeller]

Buff hasn't looked the same since he came back, he isn't playing with the same intensity that he had before his ? (injury)

as far as Wright goes I really don't know how anyone could play and have any kind of success with slater and thorburn, both think you can score from behind the oppositions net where they usually are together on the rare occasion they do make it out of their own end

I'm beginning to think the Jets need to revisit the idea of moving Buff to forward, he can still play the point on the PP

I'd personally love to see Buff go back to playing forward.

If we keep on tanking, why not try that out? I do wonder though, if it would cause too much disruption


As many have noted, scoring and tending seem to be our two biggest issues.

 

[garret9]

I thought the effort was there tonight and we played great for 59 minutes. You can pick apart a couple bad plays here and there but realistically I think we have a great team who can really compete with anyone in this league. We directed 70 shots at their net tonight...and if we play the next 34 games with the effort we've played these last two, the scoring will come and the wins will come with it.

The only systemic problems we have, ones that will continue to lose us games if things don't change are the Power Play (0/12 in the last 4 games) and goaltending (which is improving.) The PP zone entries are just painful to watch and when we do get possesion in their zone, we don't get any shots.

I'm going to quote this for truth and nominate for post of the day.

 

[BigZ65]

I know today most teams have their wingers come back to help out deep in the zone but I have to agree with Don Cherry and question this strategy. Look how many goals we have given up resulting from point shots. Not that I want Cherry to replace Noel but cover the points!!

Whatever the regular strategy is, with such little time you gotta be more aggressive on the puck and make sure there is no shot at all.

 

[Channelcat]

Tough loss tonight against a very good team in Boston. I really liked the Jets effort against the cream of the crop of the eastern conference, on to the next one.

Teams aren't even bringing their A game or A roster against us anymore and we still can't win at home. The apologist thinking is wearing thin.

 

[Positive]

Teams aren't even bringing their A game or A roster against us anymore and we still can't win at home. The apologist thinking is wearing thin.

What's wearing thin is the debbie-downer, our team/coach/management/draft picks/whatever else sucks babble, and seeing people lose patience after a mere 1.25 seasons. The negative posts outnumber the positive posts 5 to 1 right now. You know what? Just let the guy have his positive spin FFS.

 

[Gaald]

I was at the game, and there were times where the Jets just weren't moving their feet, gliding around the ice and wildly swinging for the puck if it came near them. Had they just kept their feet moving they could have actually played hard on the puck. It was like watching first time golfers trying to hit a golf ball.

Noel needs to split that Ladd, Little, Wheeler line. Cause two thirds of that line are playing like ****, and Little is carrying them on his back.

While Kanes line is one of the better lines right now, he needs to play with someone who is willing to charge the net and stay there, because Kanes one move is to pass the puck to himself deep in the opposing end and throw it at the net. He does it all the time, and there is never anyone there to pick up a rebound or take a swipe at the puck and redirect it in.

I like Antropov, he is usually strong on the puck and can make a play surrounded by opposing players, but today his play progressively worsened as the game went on. Way to many turn overs!

The Wellwood haters continue to prove they have no idea what they are talking about, and I would gladly mute their posts if that option was available.

Hainsey shouldn't be allowed within 5 feet of our goal. For some reason after a decent start to the season, his game seems to be getting progressively worse, and worse.

 

[ps241]

I was at the game, and there were times where the Jets just weren't moving their feet, gliding around the ice and wildly swinging for the puck if it came near them. Had they just kept their feet moving they could have actually played hard on the puck. It was like watching first time golfers trying to hit a golf ball.

Noel needs to split that Ladd, Little, Wheeler line. Cause two thirds of that line are playing like ****, and Little is carrying them on his back.

While Kanes line is one of the better lines right now, he needs to play with someone who is willing to charge the net and stay there, because Kanes one move is to pass the puck to himself deep in the opposing end and throw it at the net. He does it all the time, and there is never anyone there to pick up a rebound or take a swipe at the puck and redirect it in.

I like Antropov, he is usually strong on the puck and can make a play surrounded by opposing players, but today his play progressively worsened as the game went on. Way to many turn overs!

The Wellwood haters continue to prove they have no idea what they are talking about, and I would gladly mute their posts if that option was available.

Hainsey shouldn't be allowed within 5 feet of our goal. For some reason after a decent start to the season, his game seems to be getting progressively worse, and worse.

That option is available on HFBoards and I would recommend it.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

I know he skates well with the puck, but if Kane can park in front of the net more, like that goal, I think he would be more effective.

 

[Crazed Fan]

Bruins 2nd goal pretty much sums up the year so far. (as well as Enstroms injury)

For a lot of the game i thought the Jets battled hard, but then mental lapses kick in and their opponent capitalized. They just need to play more focused. I think they are a better team than their record shows, but Wins and Losses are what matter in the end.
Right now this team is not playing like a bunch of winners.

 

[BennyTheJet]

What's most frustrating about this current team is the complete absence of Blake Wheeler. He is not performing to what we all know his level could be. He has lost the swagger he had in his game at this time last year and its frustrating to keep watching him under perform.

I've also been disappointed in the play of Jokinen. I had high hopes for him and he has hardly produced at all.

 

[Prot]

A lot of people are still asking for certain players to get traded that I really believe would come back to haunt us. That being said there is a little cluster of players that seem just about interchangeable with a pile of players in the league right now.

I will say though I bet Pav's is getting sick of seeing Hainsey's ass in his face. I know I would. That arse has scored more goals than Hainsey's stick.

I'm not content with this season at all... as some of you are suggesting we should be. But my problem is that we are going -backwards- in some regards, and I see us having strategic/coaching related issues in the VERY same areas we did over a year ago.

The way you handle a team CAN change from month to month. (IE: Power play, Penalty Kill, breakout, board management, physically, emotional control, penalties, etc)

I always said I like some of what Noel has done but personally out of ALL the personnel moves we mention on this forum, the first thing I'd do is get on the phone with Dale Hunter.

I want a guy who will fine/sit a player for acting like an idiot. Or will tell a guy he isn't playing tonight because he doesn't buy into the system. As a result of this season at this point if I were Noel, I'd start to worry. That's just me.

There's a pile of players that aren't going anywhere trade wise, so love 'em or hate 'em, we got 'em. But Noel doesn't have that luxury and there is VERY little coaching wise that I can say this team does well.

I wish it weren't so... truly, but trying the same thing over and over and expecting -different- results is truly the definition of insanity.

 

[mzappa]

Agreed, and to go off-topic ---- thats exactly what the Blue Bombers are doing. Accepting mediocrity at best.

I wish it weren't so... truly, but trying the same thing over and over and expecting -different- results is truly the definition of insanity.

 

[Gotaf7]

What's most frustrating about this current team is the complete absence of Blake Wheeler. He is not performing to what we all know his level could be. He has lost the swagger he had in his game at this time last year and its frustrating to keep watching him under perform.

I've also been disappointed in the play of Jokinen. I had high hopes for him and he has hardly produced at all.

Ya I find that very odd, he looks 2 strides slower than last year very rarely drives the net pretty much not noticeable when he is on the ice.

 

[SensibleGuy]

Really last night was sort of the story of the Jets in microcosm. They get the go-ahead goal and then within seconds give up the tying goal and then seconds into the third the game winner. I'm pretty sure the other teams in the league all employ a real specific strategy - if the Jets score on us, go at them really hard immediately after the goal and you'll be rewarded. They seem to fold up for a few minutes after scoring - the ultimate example being Redmond's short-handed goal a few games back. I mean how the hell does a team score a SH goal, and then immediately give up a SH goal on their next power play??? Talk about a momentum breaker...poor coaching? Weak leadership? What is it? Pretty frustrating...

Oh well, the next couple of weeks will decide it for us. I'm not optimistic but maybe the boys will get something rolling.

 

[Gump Hasek]

The unrealistic level of expectation on display in this thread and others is enlightening. This is a team comprised of a young core of a couple of players worth keeping and that is it. They've next to nothing on the farm. They've a goalie that isn't really delivering, though the D he is playing behind is sub-par on the best of nights; there is a correlation there.

The coaching isn't really to blame because his roster is super weak.

I repeat, this roster is super weak.

Management can't effect much near-term change because they don't have much to offer in trade aside from a couple of core players they should keep. All of the preceding is clearly why they stated a plan to build via the draft; they've no real alternatives. That plan, stated on day one, is the result of an astute management group that identified they'd need to build from scratch... since that is what they began with. They've a ton of expiring contracts at season end so change is eventually coming regardless.

This is a long-term work in progress and things will likely get much worse if current conditions are worrying you. Just wait until the player purge begins. I'm conversely looking most forward to that.

 

[cocorico]

Really last night was sort of the story of the Jets in microcosm. They get the go-ahead goal and then within seconds give up the tying goal and then seconds into the third the game winner. I'm pretty sure the other teams in the league all employ a real specific strategy - if the Jets score on us, go at them really hard immediately after the goal and you'll be rewarded. They seem to fold up for a few minutes after scoring - the ultimate example being Redmond's short-handed goal a few games back. I mean how the hell does a team score a SH goal, and then immediately give up a SH goal on their next power play??? Talk about a momentum breaker...poor coaching? Weak leadership? What is it? Pretty frustrating...Oh well, the next couple of weeks will decide it for us. I'm not optimistic but maybe the boys will get something rolling.

Not sure who to blame, but it starts with coaching.

The Bruins post game show broke down the PP goal. 2 Jets forwards converged on the puck carrier despite the fact that Stuart was in good position to deny penetration. This left the middle open for the pass, Bogo couldn't cover, Pavs went down and didn't stop the backhand shot.

The opposing teams are scoring goals from deflections and rebounds. The Jets have 3 players high on the PP with no one in front of the net. Our D would have even more points if we had better net presence.

Do the players know what to do on the PK, but aren't executing?
or
Are the coaches not teaching the proper strategies?

 

[Stej]

The unrealistic level of expectation on display in this thread and others is enlightening. This is a team comprised of a young core of a couple of players worth keeping and that is it. They've next to nothing on the farm. They've a goalie that isn't really delivering, though the D he is playing behind is sub-par on the best of nights; there is a correlation there.

The coaching isn't really to blame because his roster is super weak.

I repeat, this roster is super weak.

Management can't effect much near-term change because they don't have much to offer in trade aside from a couple of core players they should keep. All of the preceding is clearly why they stated a plan to build via the draft; they've no real alternatives. That plan, stated on day one, is the result of an astute management group that identified they'd need to build from scratch... since that is what they began with. They've a ton of expiring contracts at season end so change is eventually coming regardless.

This is a long-term work in progress and things will likely get much worse if current conditions are worrying you. Just wait until the player purge begins. I'm conversely looking most forward to that.

I'm a little more bullish on the current roster than you appear to be (only a couple of players worth keeping?), but otherwise this is a great post.

 

[puck stoppa]

Worth keeping in two years lets say:
Ladd, Wheeler, Little, Kane, Burmistrov, Slater
Buff, Enstrom, Bogosian, Redmond or Postma (one not both)
Pavs

6 forward spots up for grabs, Scheif will take one, two D spots Trouba will take one, and a good back up to challenge Pavs. Which of our prospects take these spots. Maybe Lowry, next year's first rounder and Cormier will be on our roster in two years. Trades or FA will be needed for some help.

 

[Just Ducky]

Our offense is suffering- not seeing much in the way in chemistry except if you have Burmi on your line + brutal special teams- PK and PP are awful( I thought Pearn was brought here to improve this???) + Pavs - not playing to our or his intended expectations + negativity everywhere- even Ladd took a dump on his teammates( I agree with this btw) but guys are clutching their sticks too tight- missed shots, poor passes, bad positional decisions+ injuries = Jets this year.

Noel must be throwing a coronary but it is on his shoulders to pull this team together some how. Good luck.

 

[Gump Hasek]

I'm a little more bullish on the current roster than you appear to be (only a couple of players worth keeping?), but otherwise this is a great post.

Thanks. I'd keep Kane, Ladd, Bogo (& Little as a stopgap only on a bridge deal). The rest can be jettisoned immediately for all I care or piecemeal them off as required. I'd begin a purge of Thrashers and a build of the Jets ASAP, and would rather watch a bunch of kids and grinders that work their ***** off than this current bunch.

I can wait a few more months for that to occur but would rather it began today. It is likely coming regardless.

 

[PerryPooley]

Offensively, the forwards have absolutely no ability (or desire?) to penetrate the slot area or establish a presence in front of the net. Kane especially and to a lesser degree Wheeler attempt to use their speed to burst in wide, but they don't establish anything inside the perimeter. As a group they are all extremely weak on the puck, and that is the main reason they can sustain no pressure in the offensive zone. They desperately need someone with size and hands to go to the front of the net. And they just generally need an offensive leader.

 

[Grind]

I really think this is blown out of proportion.

We've dramatically improved our numbers, specifically PK, over the last 4 -5 games.

We've been losing 1 goal games, and I know people arel ike "oh my god they played like garbage!" but honestly, if they played the exact same way but won the games, you wouldn't hear that at all.

I think i might have to stay away from GDT and Post games for a while...too many manic depressives.

 

[Tintin's Ghost]

Jets looked good last night. The difference was letting up for the span of 1 minutes and four seconds at end of second and start of 3rd period. In the 2nd, the Jets played a hard 19 minutes and 58.5 seconds and got killed on the last second and a half let up at the end.

Jets looked as good as they looked against the Pens. And still substantially better than we looked at home against Flyers and the Leafs. And I thankfully cannot recognize the team that lost 8-3 to Tampa Bay on the road 2 weeks ago!

The team is a playing a more structured game and looks as though there is an actual strategy in place with regards to puck possession. The forecheck looks ...well, like a forecheck. We finally do it consistently and it yields results for us.

I think we got a good roster here just need Jokinen to get going. We look like we're a key player a short of making an impact and I think we the have the guy but he's not making an impact yet.

Burmistrov, Bogosian, Kane, Ladd, Little, Postma and Redmond all looked really good out there last night. Bogo was really flying for only second game in 11 months. That guy skates and plays like a total stud. Huddy deserves a nice testimonial from Bogosian, put it on the resume (not that's he gonna need to update his anytime soon!)

 

[Vapour Trails]

Once again, I don't think the Jets played terribly, they actually hung in against one of the better teams in the conference.

Take away a 30 second debacle and the Jets win. Ladd hit the post in the third, the puck trickled across the goal line in the dying moments. An inch here or an inch there.

But it's the same story, always coming up short when the game is close, blowing leads.

Worst play of the game: Marchand goal. Bad defense, bad goaltending.

High glove side on Pavelec is a lock. I think all the players know it, too.

I would also say that if the Jets can't turn this around in the next month it will be too late. We need 7-8 pts out of this road trip.