To make the next step, what do we need?

[Mortimer Snerd]

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.

That is the biggest single need - but we also need Ehlers and a 2C. Actually, either of those should keep us close to as good as this year. Add the better Helle and we would be in good shape.

I think we need some help on D as well. Almost sounds silly, having won b2b Jennings Trophies, but that is about team D and goaltending. Morrissey needs a large, physical partner who can better protect him from predatory PO play. That would allow moving DeMelo to 4rd pair which would make 3LD a lot easier.

 

[Dirtbag151]

there is a whole whack of free agent centers coming up in 2026
maybe that will help us
make a trade at the draft

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

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.

We needed more scoring in the PO but we were tied for 3rd in the league on GF. We shouldn't need to put that much emphasis on 'more goals'.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

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.

We ARE a Cup contender if we retain Ehlers and Helle plays a little more like Helle.

Edit: Best goal differential in the league and people are crying about a lack of scoring. I guess we could try for more scoring but it would cost us goals against.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

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.

Yeah, sure. But we can't replace him if he walks. It will hurt.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

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.

I absolutely disagree. That has been true in the past but they stepped up this year. Played with grit and heart. Failed to keep the puck out of the net well enough and failed to finish chances well enough - but they absolutely stepped up.

 

[Jets]

The Blues showed that you can still be big and physical and run a team out of the rink. They basically only stayed in round 1 with us because they constantly finished borderline hits on our best players all series.

Having Vilardi be our only "big" guy in a top 6 that includes Connor, Scheifele, Ehlers and Perfetti isn't ideal for playoff hockey. If we got the equivalent top 6 winger of a prime Rick Nash type, that would also be huge for our top 6 not getting run out of the rink and whole lines disappearing for games at a time.

 

[bumblebeeman]

We needed more scoring in the PO but we were tied for 3rd in the league on GF. We shouldn't need to put that much emphasis on 'more goals'.

The Jets only scored more than 2 goals in 5 out of their 13 playoff games. It's tough to win games scoring 2 or less goals.

The Jets needed some depth scoring, but it might be more of a sample size issue. Also the PP wasn't nearly as good as the season.

 

[TheGovernment]

Top 2 center, some scoring for the 3rd line and maybe change up some 4th line guys. They really didn't do much in the playoffs.
I don't think we will find a true top 2d to play with Jomo though.
Elhers I think is packing his stuff and gone....

 

[kylbaz]

I absolutely disagree. That has been true in the past but they stepped up this year. Played with grit and heart. Failed to keep the puck out of the net well enough and failed to finish chances well enough - but they absolutely stepped up.

You can disagree and many will. I think there were too many invisible players for the Jets come playoff time.
Let's not forget we were 1.6 seconds away from having a first round exit as well.

 

[gojetsgo]

You can disagree and many will. I think there were too many invisible players for the Jets come playoff time.
Let's not forget we were 1.6 seconds away from having a first round exit as well.

lets not forget the injuries and awful goaltending we were getting during the 1st round, we played much better vs dallas when we got guys back and helle started playing a lot better

not like we were 1.6 seconds away then got swept in the 2nd round, we played good in all 6 games just needed some depth scoring and we are most likely in the wcf

 

[HPsauce]

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

Absolutely. Without a doubt. He could spend the off-season getting himself into tip top form. His body is rested and ready. His brain packed with all the knowledge needed to win and be dominant in the NHL.

He is without a doubt still able to play at 37, especially after being off for 2 years. It's not like he was off because he had some physical injury that holds him back from playing.

It was long COVID. Hes clear of it now. This is an absolute awesome opportunity.

How many ppl said Jagr couldn't play anymore. I believe Duchene as well was written off as done... It's crazy what happens when teams give these elite athletes a second chance.

 

[Turin]

Keep Ehlers and do something creative to bolster the scoring depth. What that is, I have no idea.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

Did Vilardi ever indicate at any point that he wasn’t interested in staying?

Apparently his GF is not too happy here.

 

[Flair Hay]

I think the off-season hinges on Ehlers, and perhaps Vilardi. If Vilardi wants to stay longer term, then I think the Jets will prioritize him (not necessarily what I would do).

If they re-sign Ehlers and Vilardi (along with Samberg), they won't have the cap space for a big UFA splash for a 2C like Nelson, Duchene, or even Bennett. Actually, I could see the Leafs using Marner's cap space to put a big offer on the table for Bennett.

If Ehlers is gone, then I could see the Jets looking at Duchene or Nelson as a 2C, even if they need to overpay somewhat. Either would add speed to the middle 6, which would be needed without Ehlers.

If Vilardi decides against a long-term commitment, I think the Jets will trade him now. They are pretty clear that they don't want to go back to a situation with players that don't want to be here. A Vilardi trade could perhaps help to fill a 2C or maybe a top 4 D slot (with DeMelo looking more like a 3rd pair D this year).

I'm sure we will do our best with Nelson and Duchene. That said... our place in the NHL is more of picking up a cap casualty from a team that is able to sign some big money UFA's.

The top guys just aren't realistic for us, they have too many suitors. Bringing back Ehlers will be a home run.

 

[KingBogo]

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.

This is it, so the question becomes is there a way to make this more likely? Maybe you get a guy who is a career #1B guy and pay him the money. You give him 30-35 games during the season and is someone who won't cause an uproar if you need to start them for a playoff game.

 

[Whileee]

I'm sure we will do our best with Nelson and Duchene. That said... our place in the NHL is more of picking up a cap casualty from a team that is able to sign some big money UFA's.

The top guys just aren't realistic for us, they have too many suitors. Bringing back Ehlers will be a home run.

Yup, hard to think of better ways for the Jets to use cap space next year than re-signing Ehlers.

I just hope he's willing to stay.

 

[JetsFan815]

Re-sign Ehlers at any cost. With him gone, I fear this window shuts right close.

 

[DRW204]

Re-sign Ehlers at any cost. With him gone, I fear this window shuts right close.

Why?
1 fwd doesn't make or break a team unless they're McDavid status. Hellebuyck is v good in the regular season, if the Jets are top 5-10 in least GA and like even ~mid in offense/GF that's still probably a playoff team.

 

[abax44]

We ARE a Cup contender if we retain Ehlers and Helle plays a little more like Helle.

Edit: Best goal differential in the league and people are crying about a lack of scoring. I guess we could try for more scoring but it would cost us goals against.

We scored barely more than 1 goal (4 in 3 games) per game on the road vs Dallas while giving up over 3 (10 in total). Maybe if we played on the other end of the rink more often and scored a few more goals we keep the opposition out of our end and give up less - like we did at home... and keep playing past round 2.

 

[abax44]

Would anyone seriously entertain signing Marner (if he was willing), if we were to lose Ehlers?

 

[KingBogo]

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.

This is a fair statement. While I've always been a big Ehlers fan, I don't think he is a player you throw money at to keep. He still hasn't hit 65 points and he will be turning 30 during the next season. How many players start stringing together career years in their 30's? Not many, no matter what the circumstances. Yes you can argue that he hasn't got ultimate usage, but in reality their are only at tops 3 or 4 players on any team that does. Your #1 center, high scoring wingers and true top pairing defenseman, after that players have to take on roles. I don't think there are a lot of teams out there that will give Ehlers more opportunity than he has now, unless he goes to a rebuilding team where he can jump in as the top winger. It will be up to Nik what he wants out of the rest of his career, but I think the Jets can give him a nice role on a top team for a fair price.

 

[JetsFan815]

Why?
1 fwd doesn't make or break a team unless they're McDavid status. Hellebuyck is v good in the regular season, if the Jets are top 5-10 in least GA and like even ~mid in offense/GF that's still probably a playoff team.

Who is replacing Ehlers' 25 goals, 60 points and PP1 impact? Keep in mind that it is unlikely the Jets are able to sign anyone in UFA to replace his production. So it is going to be one of the guys from the Moose or more likely Iafallo stepping into that role. Without him I forsee that 2nd line and top unit PP going back to stone age not to mention the Jets become extremely sensitive to injuries. Scheifele is also not getting any younger and it would be wise to price in some decline from him

 

[JetsFan815]

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.

Ok if he falls off in his 30s he falls off... the Jets have already made bets on 55/37 that are not gonna look great in a few seasons. So the Jets are very likely in rebuilding mode by then with some bad contracts on the books, what is one more bad contract if it means that the window can be kept open the next ~3 years.

 

[KingBogo]

Re-sign Ehlers at any cost. With him gone, I fear this window shuts right close.

What if his demand was a $100 M contract? 8 X 12.5M. That is a contract at any cost, so do you offer him that?