To make the next step, what do we need?

[Daximus]

Which seems crazy to me given they have tried to upgrade him each year.

It feels like they don't feel we have someone capable of playing the way they want their 2C to play currently. We know they value size, speed, faceoff ability and defensive awareness at C. You need at least 2 of the 4 to likely have a shot to play C for the Jets. Its pretty likely that they want someone that has at least 3 of the 4 to play as our 2C. So they will likely continue to try and find that but it's not easy. Most teams don't trade a guy that has 3 of the 4 unless they either have issues with the team or player, want a change of scenery or are on an expiring contract/contract dispute.

 

[Rybor]

I went through the numbers the other day in another thread. His book value is about 8.5 with his age, stats, and the cap going up. Closest comparable is Kevin Fiala in age/stats. There's other things to consider though, does Nik want to take another run with us? If he were to go to a bottom feeder he could likely cash in big if he went somewhere like Anaheim or possibly Vancouver, if you look around at the other teams boards it seems like almost every team wants him. Does he want to be a top line guy? It's basically up to him where he goes, where does he want to be most. I think he would get an offer at about 8.5 from us but if he wants to test his luck, the grass isn't always greener as they say. I was personally in the boat that we should have traded him for not reaching a deal, it sucks to lose a guy like that for nothing but there are still some options coming available but we always have such a hard time signing big name FA's it makes things tricky. Id like to retain everyone and add some more scoring and fade out some pieces like tanev appleton

Great post! I agree with most, if not all, of your points.

I too was questioning whether we move Nik at the deadline, but I viewed it more as a rental of our own player vs trading for one. We were playing way to well to break up the chemistry at that point, and really we would have used a 1st round draft pick+ at the deadline to grab someone of his caliber, so no point in breaking up the chemistry.

 

[Rybor]

I’m still really surprised at all of the negative comments on our boards with losing in the 2nd round, and/or how we lost.

I view this year as a great step in the right direction.

- We won the President Trophy which no one saw coming.
- We got out of the first round, which has haunted us recently, against the hottest team in the league coming down the stretch.
- We showed so much resiliency throughout, with all of the injuries, game 7 comeback, etc.
- This team gave our fanbase the best moment in our teams history (1.0 & 2.0) in game 7, which will be spoken about throughout our lifetimes.
- Watching the heartbreak at the end, and seeing the post-game interviews, it showed us all just how close this team is, and how much they truly care for one and other (which closed out any lingering concerns of culture in the locker room).

I, like many, was absolutely gutted with how it ended as I truly believed we were making it back home for game 7; and eventually closing out the series and moving on vs Edmonton.

As tough as it was to lose in the second round, we carried most of the pay for the series, we shut Dallas out for 8 of the 9 periods we played at home, and played great game 4 and 6’s on the road.

When all was said and done the difference in the series came down to game #1; which was right when we were coming down from the Huge High of game 7 (and honestly, not surprising).

This team performed so much better than everyone thought they would coming into the season and showed we can compete with any team in the league. From all accounts, it was a really strong year and gives us fans more hope than we’ve had in a while in this team’s future.

 

[SensibleGuy]

I figure we need a couple players...a 2C and a heavy top 4 D guy, and then a whole bunch of good fortune. I don't think there's a real way to "build" a cup winner. You can build a team that has the potential, but in the end it's always going to be a bit of a crap shoot and there's always going to be a few other teams that also have the potential. That's the nature of the game.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

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.

Exactly, sample size and PP.
Scoring was not good in the PO. But Jets were 3rd in the league in GF in the regular season. Defence wasn't good enough in the PO either. Helle was leaky.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

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.

Even if they had gone out in the 1st rd this year it was not like the last 2 years where they lost 4 straight. They have given up in previous years and gone out with their tails between their legs. This year, they played hard. They did not give up.

Since 2018 it has not been that they didn't win enough. It has been the meek way they lost. That was not the case this year.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

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.

Absolutely? Without a doubt?
Name a few very rare examples and assume everybody can?
It may be possible. It is highly doubtful. A 37 year old body is just not the same as a 25 year old one, no matter how much work he does. Then consider all of the punishment he has taken. It is cumulative.

 

[SensibleGuy]

Even if they had gone out in the 1st rd this year it was not like the last 2 years where they lost 4 straight. They have given up in previous years and gone out with their tails between their legs. This year, they played hard. They did not give up.

Since 2018 it has not been that they didn't win enough. It has been the meek way they lost. That was not the case this year.

yeah, and let's also not forget that they played nearly the entirety of that game 7 against the Blues plus the first game of the 2nd round without their #1 D man...and also that 2 important players - Ehlers and Vilardi - were basically just back from injury as well.

 

[scarbrow]

Jets need a legit top C. We don't have a 21 year old Wyatt Johnson in our pipeline (unless Yager makes a HUGE leap) so for me, I go out and throw 8Mx7 at Sam Bennet and bring in a guy with grit who can actually score and drive play. Schief Bennet Lowry Names/Kupari/Yager down the middle is playoff ready. Then we also need a solid RHD. That could be Salomonsson but doubtful as i believe he will need some time in the AHL still

 

[surixon]

Jets need a legit top C. We don't have a 21 year old Wyatt Johnson in our pipeline (unless Yager makes a HUGE leap) so for me, I go out and throw 8Mx7 at Sam Bennet and bring in a guy with grit who can actually score and drive play. Schief Bennet Lowry Names/Kupari/Yager down the middle is playoff ready. Then we also need a solid RHD. That could be Salomonsson but doubtful as i believe he will need some time in the AHL still

Bennett isn't a top C. He's a quality 2C that had benefited playing behind a top 3 C in the league and with a top 3 to 5 winger in Tkachuk. My guess is someone will overpay him and be dissapointed.

 

[scarbrow]

Bennett isn't a top C. He's a quality 2C that had benefited playing behind a top 3 C in the league and with a top 3 to 5 winger in Tkachuk. My guess is someone will overpay him and be dissapointed.

While I agree, it's really 3C we need him for (Lowry line arguably the 2nd line) and unfortunately our window with the scheif/helley/Jmo crew is about 3-5 years max. We have to do something soon or it's too late

 

[scarbrow]

While I agree, it's really 3C we need him for (Lowry line arguably the 2nd line) and unfortunately our window with the scheif/helley/Jmo crew is about 3-5 years max. We have to do something soon or it's too late

I'd also love to explore Horvat Na Dobson for futures of NYI is looking to blow it up now that they have the#1 pick. Something along the lines of:
Salomonsson +Yager+1st in26 + 1st in 27 + Walton/He+2nd

 

[Bender Duster]

I'd also love to explore Horvat Na Dobson for futures of NYI is looking to blow it up now that they have the#1 pick. Something along the lines of:
Salomonsson +Yager+1st in26 + 1st in 27 + Walton/He+2nd

Yikes. That would be one big swing for the fence followed by a decade of being the worst team in the league.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

I think Perfetti is ready to take over Ehler's duties, and our rookies are ready to make the leap.

Don't know if Vilardi stays.

But I think we need a back-up goaltender who has Stanley Cup Finals experience. I think if we can get Matt Murray he might fill the void well for us. Comrie can't be entirely relied on do-or-die games.

Perfetti can't replace Ehlers overall impact. And if Perfetti replaces Ehlers, who replaces Perfetti?

Our rookies? You mean Lambert and Chibrikov? Neither has shown top 6 potential, much less readiness. Chibrikov might replace Appleton.

 

[surixon]

Perfetti can't replace Ehlers overall impact. And if Perfetti replaces Ehlers, who replaces Perfetti?

Our rookies? You mean Lambert and Chibrikov? Neither has shown top 6 potential, much less readiness. Chibrikov might replace Appleton.

I do think Cole can replace Ehlers overall impact. Maybe not next year but I'd argue he will by the year after.

But yes I'd agree that we have Noone that is ready to replace Cole if Cole takes Ehelers role.

 

[Dirtyclapper]

Bennett isn't a top C. He's a quality 2C that had benefited playing behind a top 3 C in the league and with a top 3 to 5 winger in Tkachuk. My guess is someone will overpay him and be dissapointed.

2nd line centre on a recent cup team, clutch gritty, played awesome in 4 nations too. I would be so happy if somehow he was a jet.

 

[surixon]

2nd line centre on a recent cup team, clutch gritty, played awesome in 4 nations too. I would be so happy if somehow he was a jet.

As long as your expectations are 45 to 50 points with grit then that's fine. But imo someone will pay him like a 1C and be dissapointed when he's really only a 2C.

 

[Dirtyclapper]

As long as your expectations are 45 to 50 points with grit then that's fine. But imo someone will pay him like a 1C and be dissapointed when he's really only a 2C.

For sure. That's the problem with free agency, you always gotta out bid the competition if you want to actually land someone, heh. I can't think of any time we've really went after some big name like other teams do. I'm not saying go for Bennett (although I wouldn't be pissed off either) but it would be nice if we did maybe take a shot at someone? For once. They said they were willing to spend up to the cap to win a cup, we just finished first last year and got to the 2nd round in the playoffs now we're gonna lose Ehlers likely, times ticking for this core and I'd hate to get this close and not take aleast one risk. It's not Chevy's style I know, he's very calculated but you gotta risk it for the biscuit, eventually.

 

[Eyeseeing]

I’m still really surprised at all of the negative comments on our boards with losing in the 2nd round, and/or how we lost.

I view this year as a great step in the right direction.

- We won the President Trophy which no one saw coming.
- We got out of the first round, which has haunted us recently, against the hottest team in the league coming down the stretch.
- We showed so much resiliency throughout, with all of the injuries, game 7 comeback, etc.
- This team gave our fanbase the best moment in our teams history (1.0 & 2.0) in game 7, which will be spoken about throughout our lifetimes.
- Watching the heartbreak at the end, and seeing the post-game interviews, it showed us all just how close this team is, and how much they truly care for one and other (which closed out any lingering concerns of culture in the locker room).

I, like many, was absolutely gutted with how it ended as I truly believed we were making it back home for game 7; and eventually closing out the series and moving on vs Edmonton.

As tough as it was to lose in the second round, we carried most of the pay for the series, we shut Dallas out for 8 of the 9 periods we played at home, and played great game 4 and 6’s on the road.

When all was said and done the difference in the series came down to game #1; which was right when we were coming down from the Huge High of game 7 (and honestly, not surprising).

This team performed so much better than everyone thought they would coming into the season and showed we can compete with any team in the league. From all accounts, it was a really strong year and gives us fans more hope than we’ve had in a while in this team’s future.

I think the majority of posts have been the most positive ones since the 2.0 return.
There’s always going to be some negative.
Not all negative posts are bad it all depends on how they are framed.
It was a great year.

 

[Buffdog]

I'd also love to explore Horvat Na Dobson for futures of NYI is looking to blow it up now that they have the#1 pick. Something along the lines of:
Salomonsson +Yager+1st in26 + 1st in 27 + Walton/He+2nd

Wanna throw in your first-born child and left kidney?

Thats basically 3 1st round picks and 3 2nds

 

[FonRiesen]

Adding one more thing…

A legitimate backup goalie that can play 20-25 regular season games to give more game management to Helly ( even if he doesn’t want it ) and a goalie that can step in and give you an option in the playoffs if Helly struggles or even gets hurt.

We had that in Brossoit, but we didn't use him in the playoffs. He actually had better sv% than Helly in 3/4 seasons. When a starter puts in 2 terrible performances in a row in the playoffs (especially if at least one's at home), I'd put in a good backup for the next game.

Seems to me some successful teams have given their struggling starter a break in the playoffs very effectively.

 

[Goodette]

With the cap increasing by 7.5, 8.5 and 9.5 it is not inconceivable that Ehlers may have to become our highest paid player to keep him. That would be a mistake.

 

[tbcwpg]

I'd also love to explore Horvat Na Dobson for futures of NYI is looking to blow it up now that they have the#1 pick. Something along the lines of:
Salomonsson +Yager+1st in26 + 1st in 27 + Walton/He+2nd

Why would a team with the first overall pick blow it up? Wouldn't they be more likely to not do that with a first overall player joining them soon? Usually you blow it up to GET the first overall.

 

[jungles]

I said this more or less on another thread, but I have never been so excited for next season to start. I don't know where this optimism is coming from, but I find it weird and uncomfortable.

 

[cbcwpg]

With the cap increasing by 7.5, 8.5 and 9.5 it is not inconceivable that Ehlers may have to become our highest paid player to keep him. That would be a mistake.

Huge mistake. JMO, but Ehlers should not be making more than Chef or Helly.