To make the next step, what do we need?

[GaryPoppins]

It’ll be tough but this is what I’d like to see:

- Somehow get Dobson out of NY to anchor with Morrissey. We need more offence and size from the back end and this playoffs showcased that.
- Added LHD defensive help. Stanley is not the answer and this needs to end.
- Spend the assets to finally acquire a 2C/1B. Scheifele isn’t getting any younger and while Names did admirably, we could use some more offence generated from that line. This would let us shift Names to 3C/4C and being more offensive depth throughout the lineup
- Re-sign Ehlers
- Move on from Appleton
- Graduate Chibrikov to take Appletons spot
- Graduate Lambert
- Let Yager dominate the AHL unless he knocks down the door at camp.

 

[WolfHouse]

I really don't think it's about rest for helle, it seems like it has all to do with what's in between his ears, as soon as the playoffs started his game fell off a cliff, as we finally got over the round 1 hump he seemed to start turning a corner in the dallas series

But i think changing up his routine is important... and having a legit option to give helle a game off in the playoffs is important too

 

[gojetsgo]

But i think changing up his routine is important... and having a legit option to give helle a game off in the playoffs is important too

no, he just needs to get out of his head and plays like he does in the regular season, if he needs a game off then we have bigger issues

 

[HPsauce]

Toews took 2 years away from hockey due to long COVID and some sort of an inflammatory disease. He's done all sorts of healing during that time away. Apparently he's in good shape, and ready to play.

I would be extremely surprised if a player of his caliber is instantly a 4th line C all the sudden.

Multi cup winner, Gold medal winner, etc. he's been an elite two way player his entire career and not only that .. he is extremely passionate and driven to win. Captain Serious so to speak

He's a better 2C than Vald

 

[ocdaddy]

A 2C. Ehlers is bailing. Someone to center Fets.
Based on none available at the TD, I'm not holding my breath.

 

[RabidOne]

We can still hope that Ehlers does sign with us. I believe the Jets will definitely make him a fair offer.

I would personally love to see this team add Johnny Toews. I believe he is ready to go and wants to compete. He would be a very good 2nd C and likely still has a lot of good years left.

I believe Solomonsson will be getting a fair look next season.

I would love to see Toews with the Jets. But a 37 year old who hasnt played hockey in years is not going to be able to play at 2C level.

 

[voyageur]

It’ll be tough but this is what I’d like to see:

- Somehow get Dobson out of NY to anchor with Morrissey. We need more offence and size from the back end and this playoffs showcased that.
- Added LHD defensive help. Stanley is not the answer and this needs to end.
- Spend the assets to finally acquire a 2C/1B. Scheifele isn’t getting any younger and while Names did admirably, we could use some more offence generated from that line. This would let us shift Names to 3C/4C and being more offensive depth throughout the lineup
- Re-sign Ehlers
- Move on from Appleton
- Graduate Chibrikov to take Appletons spot
- Graduate Lambert
- Let Yager dominate the AHL unless he knocks down the door at camp.

I honestly don't think you'll ever see Chibrikov in a position where he's matched up defensively against the league's best players. Lowry is such a defensive ace, Chibrikov is still not a defensively sound player.

Instead of spending all the assets, I might try

Connor-Scheif-Vilardi (arbitration)

Ehlers-Lowry-Iafallo (that's a plus line in hard matchups, if Ehlers is a team player he'd sacrifice scoring for winning, but also get more chances to fly the gaps with good defensive players)

Perfetti-Namestnikov-Chibrikov (secondary scoring)

Nino-Barron-RH shot (Kupari or Ford, maybe even Appleton)

Same defense but Fleury-Schenn ahead of Stanley-Miller.

Heinola demoted to the Moose, to have a quality LD to play with Salomonsson.

Gustafsson demoted to the Moose. To help Wagner develop on the defensive side.

Draft a Center.

Adjust at the deadline.

I agree give Yager the development year.

 

[sipowicz]

I honestly don't think you'll ever see Chibrikov in a position where he's matched up defensively against the league's best players. Lowry is such a defensive ace, Chibrikov is still not a defensively sound player.

Instead of spending all the assets, I might try

Connor-Scheif-Vilardi (arbitration)

Ehlers-Lowry-Iafallo (that's a plus line in hard matchups, if Ehlers is a team player he'd sacrifice scoring for winning, but also get more chances to fly the gaps with good defensive players)

Perfetti-Namestnikov-Chibrikov (secondary scoring)

Nino-Barron-RH shot (Kupari or Ford, maybe even Appleton)

Same defense but Fleury-Schenn ahead of Stanley-Miller.

Heinola demoted to the Moose, to have a quality LD to play with Salomonsson.

Gustafsson demoted to the Moose. To help Wagner develop on the defensive side.

Draft a Center.

Adjust at the deadline.

I agree give Yager the development year.

No Appleton! No!

 

[tbcwpg]

Just look at Florida. How many different players have a goal in the playoffs for them? Matthew Tkachuk got no goals in this series against the Leafs, and Barkov didn't score after Game 3. But look at the names on the scoresheet in games 5 and 7 for them: Kulikov, Mikkola, Greer, Boqvist. Even tonight some guy named Gadjovich scored in game 7.

It's not just depth but depth that can score goals. Right now I don't trust 7 or 8 of the forwards at any given time to score, and in the playoffs, the D was contributing very little offence.

 

[WolfHouse]

no, he just needs to get out of his head and plays like he does in the regular season, if he needs a game off then we have bigger issues

Glad you have the answer...

 

[Jets 31]

Helly playing like Helly would have really helped this very good team. Helly did have 2 shutouts in 13 playoff games which is great but he had some very bad games on the road. He also let in a early goal or gave up a goal right after we scored killing our momentum. If Helly plays like he can next year in the playoffs we will do very well.

 

[Dirtyclapper]

I'd like to keep Ehlers.. I think we promise him 1st line minutes with scheif and KC he would stay easily. Vilardi to the 2nd line with fetti between those 2 someone is the centre.. not sure who but one of them probably gabe. I'd like to pick up Boeser (some will disagree I know..) put him on that line names goes somewhere else he can take apples spot.

Connor/Scheifele/Ehlers
Boeser/Vilardi/Perfetti
Iafallo/Lowry/Namestnikov
Niederreiter/Barron/???

Something like that? D looks good, I liked Schenn with Fleury. I don't think this lineup will happen but just my dream. Ok I'll shut up now.

 

[winnipegger]

Trying vilardi at 2c is definitely an idea. We need more offense down the middle. This team is really close. I don't want to see Appleton playing above the 4th line, I actually feel bad for the guy. He has no hands or shot whatsoever but he obviously does some things well or he wouldn't be a full time player. Just try to add some goals to this team somehow. They had a fantastic season.

 

[GNP]

Just look at Florida. How many different players have a goal in the playoffs for them? Matthew Tkachuk got no goals in this series against the Leafs, and Barkov didn't score after Game 3. But look at the names on the scoresheet in games 5 and 7 for them: Kulikov, Mikkola, Greer, Boqvist. Even tonight some guy named Gadjovich scored in game 7.

It's not just depth but depth that can score goals. Right now I don't trust 7 or 8 of the forwards at any given time to score, and in the playoffs, the D was contributing very little offence.

I agree strongly with this post on depth players. They have to be able to score, as shown in Florida’s win over Toronto, where most of the goal scorers were not big names, and they’ve been doing this the entire series. Oilers also have a lot of depth guys scoring.

Right now we have guys like Appleton, Tanev and others that may play hard but “ can’t score “ Another is Kupari -? I like the way he skates, and has good power, but so far, shows no scoring hands. Do you wait this guy out? or retrofit a lot of these guys on lines 3 and 4.

I’d start by getting rid of Appleton, and Tanev, and replacing them with guys like Chibrikov and Lambert if their ready, and see who I could pick up by way of trade - like Florida has done.

If we’re able to resign Ehlers ( doubtful) and we could add some decent depth players that can score, we’d be a Cup contender.

 

[BoJet]

For those initiated:
We need to enact overtime contingency protocol to get Helle’s innie out of Canada Life Centre.

(I stole that joke)

 

[CorgisPer60]

Jets need to see some of their depth come up and mature. They also need a 2C, because Namesnikov isn't it. Neither is Lowry. Scheifele is good, but will start to wind down at some point. Their bottom pairing got exposed pretty hard. I wasn't happy with how the PK went this season, either. Not sure if it's more roster or tactics based. They give up zone entries way too easily and try to defend in the zone instead of eliminating the play before it even gets there. I'm expecting Appleton and Ehlers to leave at the very least. Would like to see them finally move Heinola instead of letting him rot on the vine further. You can't have Stanley and Schenn both on the roster.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

What do we need?

We need playoff Helle to play like regular season Helle on the road - we’d still be watching the playoffs for another month and this thread wouldn’t exist. That’s ultimately what we need most.

 

[kylbaz]

We can still hope that Ehlers does sign with us. I believe the Jets will definitely make him a fair offer.

I would personally love to see this team add Johnny Toews. I believe he is ready to go and wants to compete. He would be a very good 2nd C and likely still has a lot of good years left.

I believe Solomonsson will be getting a fair look next season.

You think a 37 year old JT who hasn't played in two years would be a good 2C? For real?

 

[Goodette]

I am one of the few willing to let Ehlers walk. He will absolutely want long term and I just feel a smaller, speed player like him falls off quickly sometime in his early 30's. Who knows how many years that will be? 2 or 3? He'll be 30 in Feb.

He's not been the healthiest and that is not good going forward into his 30s. Probably will get worse, more hurts and be out longer.

 

[kylbaz]

Just look at Florida. How many different players have a goal in the playoffs for them? Matthew Tkachuk got no goals in this series against the Leafs, and Barkov didn't score after Game 3. But look at the names on the scoresheet in games 5 and 7 for them: Kulikov, Mikkola, Greer, Boqvist. Even tonight some guy named Gadjovich scored in game 7.

It's not just depth but depth that can score goals. Right now I don't trust 7 or 8 of the forwards at any given time to score, and in the playoffs, the D was contributing very little offence.

Is it talent or the ability and want to step up. We arguably had the strongest four lines in hockey. It just seems other teams take it to the next level in the playoffs and ours just stayed the same.

 

[MardyBum]

A bit more offense. The teams that go far nearly always generate a ton of chances. Florida, Edmonton, Carolina. Even Dallas who people still think of as defensive team was generating a bunch.



So a 2C that plays like a 2C, some better depth (maybe try a young player in depth roles and try to get better value for the minutes. Chibrikov could fit a bottom 6 role easily if he can show he's ready).

Obviously better Helle and team performances on the road.

Bowness and then Arniel have them bought in defensively, he made a good step getting more offense out of the team without taking a step back defensively, just need a bit more talent that will play the way he wants.

 

[CanMerc]

Proper 2C
Top 2 RHD
Playoff quality goalie
Possibly a top 6 RHW, If Ehlers leaves, which is likely, and Lambert can’t fill the need

 

[ps241]

There is what we could use, then there is what we can actually get. Chevy will do his best to construct a team that can compete given our obvious market limitations. It’s amazing the Jets were able to win the Presidents trophy given our limitations.

 

[GNP]

I would love to see Toews with the Jets. But a 37 year old who hasnt played hockey in years is not going to be able to play at 2C level.

If Toews keeps himself in great shape like Sid Crosby, I think you could get 2 good years out of him. Crosby is about the same age and still in top 30 scorers in the NHL. I think Pavelski played til late 30’s or early 40’s, and was effective.

This would all depend on his level of physical conditioning, and his desire to still play with intensity. No doubt he still has the playmaking, and leadership abilities.

All depends on his physical state, and will to still play the game.

 

[Do or Die]

Would move Appleton up to the top line, so he could pile up secondary assists....