Player Discussion: Winnipeg Jets Defense

[raideralex99]

Before the Minnesota game, the Jets had the 6th-worst xGA/60 on the PK at 9.41.

2 games later, the Jets are still 6th-worst with an xGA/60 of 9.50.

And just in case anyone is wondering if the Jets have been just unlucky to draw these powerplay juggernauts early in the year:
2020-21:
Ducks: 31st ranked PP (8.9%), 21st xGF/60 (5.90)
Sharks: 29th PP (14.1%), 15th xGF/60 (6.46)
Wild: 24th (17.6%), 24th xGF/60 (5.66)

Historical Jets PK xGA/60
2020-21: 3rd worst, 7.43
2019-20: 3rd worst, 7.28
2018-19: 8th worst, 7.03
2017-18 : 3rd worst, 7.98.
2016-17: 13th worst, 6.87
2015-16: 3rd worst, 7.38
2014-15: 9th worst, 7.00

Seriously that is pathletic ... year after year with the same results and no coaching change?

 

[thai jet]

I agree. He’s a third pairing d-man right now, and he’s doing fine in that role. The rest of the post you replied to explains what I mean by crutch, but ultimately:

Saying he’s a third pairing D or that he’s sheltered isn’t the issue for me, it’s the people who use that as a knock exclusively against Stanley while salivating over other players facing similar or inferior competition. Yeah, Stanley is playing good but he’s being sheltered! True. But he isn’t anymore sheltered than DeMelo (last year he certainly was, especially when DeMelo was PKing and he wasn’t, but this year, small sample, but I’d say they likely have similar usage), or Samberg with his AHL minutes, or any other 5-6. A lot of the people saying this kinda stuff were the same ones who knew he was gonna bust.

He was extremely sheltered when he first came in but now he isn’t anymore sheltered than a third pairing defenseman is, and he’s still doing well.

To be fair, I don’t think that many people are actually arguing that he’s being excessively sheltered anymore.

Maybe sheltered 5on5 but the toughest minutes are on the PK and Big Stan and DeMelo lead all team defencemen in PK/TOI and are lowest in team defencmen PK GA/60. I think Maurice should start giving them more even strength ice time. My bet is that Big Stan will be a top 4 d-man on this team. The sooner the better because that would allow Dillon to be traded to add cap space and a spot for Samberg

 

[Whileee]

Maybe sheltered 5on5 but the toughest minutes are on the PK and Big Stan and DeMelo lead all team defencemen in PK/TOI and are lowest in team defencmen PK GA/60. I think Maurice should start giving them more even strength ice time. My bet is that Big Stan will be a top 4 d-man on this team. The sooner the better because that would allow Dillon to be traded to add cap space and a spot for Samberg

Agree. Even though Stanley benefits from some sheltering, his defensive results are very impressive. Here are visualizations that summarize his impact on xGA at 5v5 and short-handed. There is essentially no offense against from the left side of the D zone when he's on the ice at 5v5 or on the PK, and a lot of offense against when he's not on the ice.

From HockeyViz... with and without xG visualizations for Stanley this season.

 

[Whileee]

Also, based on Evolving Hockey's RAPM model, Stanley is 2nd on the Jets in expected goals +/- per 60 (5v5).

Schmidt, Pionk and Dillon have really struggled, so far.

 

[surixon]

Also, based on Evolving Hockey's RAPM model, Stanley is 2nd on the Jets in expected goals +/- per 60 (5v5).

Schmidt, Pionk and Dillon have really struggled, so far.

View attachment 473499

Morrisseys numbers are positive given the play of his partner. Glad his game is largely back to where we need it.

Need the other three top 4 guys to straighten their games out.

 

[ecolad]

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[Gil Fisher]

Also, based on Evolving Hockey's RAPM model, Stanley is 2nd on the Jets in expected goals +/- per 60 (5v5).

Schmidt, Pionk and Dillon have really struggled, so far.

View attachment 473499

really speaks to the small sample size that Morrissey and Schmidt are at opposite ends despite playing so much together. i think we need some more data.

 

[DRW204]

really speaks to the small sample size that Morrissey and Schmidt are at opposite ends despite playing so much together. i think we need some more data.

by this chart, kyle connor is our worst forward lol.

 

[Joe Hallenback]

Not a fan of Pionk's game so far this year. But he has shown he can bounce back from struggling.

Overall its hard for me to be mad at the D since I think our forwards are really guilty of fleeing the zone far too quickly. If we played tighter between the circles and blue line we might be way less prone to give the puck up. Ask any D its hard to make a good play when you have 1 outlet

 

[Jet]

Not a fan of Pionk's game so far this year. But he has shown he can bounce back from struggling.

Overall its hard for me to be mad at the D since I think our forwards are really guilty of fleeing the zone far too quickly. If we played tighter between the circles and blue line we might be way less prone to give the puck up. Ask any D its hard to make a good play when you have 1 outlet

Partner chemistry sometimes takes time to develop, and maybe Pionk and Dillon just won't work out. If they're still struggling at Christmas I'll be worried but not so much now.

 

[DannyGallivan]

Maybe sheltered 5on5 but the toughest minutes are on the PK and Big Stan and DeMelo lead all team defencemen in PK/TOI and are lowest in team defencmen PK GA/60. I think Maurice should start giving them more even strength ice time. My bet is that Big Stan will be a top 4 d-man on this team. The sooner the better because that would allow Dillon to be traded to add cap space and a spot for Samberg

I almost gave your post a “like” until the last word. Again, someone thinks an unproven prospect with an unspectacular AHL resume is going to step right in for the Jets. I really doubt that moving Dillon and adding Samberg will be an improvement any time soon (although I did agree with the praise heaped upon Stanley and DeMelo).

 

[Joe Hallenback]

Partner chemistry sometimes takes time to develop, and maybe Pionk and Dillon just won't work out. If they're still struggling at Christmas I'll be worried but not so much now.

Its early no need to panic yet

 

[DannyGallivan]

Not a fan of Pionk's game so far this year. But he has shown he can bounce back from struggling.

Overall its hard for me to be mad at the D since I think our forwards are really guilty of fleeing the zone far too quickly. If we played tighter between the circles and blue line we might be way less prone to give the puck up. Ask any D its hard to make a good play when you have 1 outlet

Not a fan of Pionk's game so far this year. But he has shown he can bounce back from struggling.

Overall its hard for me to be mad at the D since I think our forwards are really guilty of fleeing the zone far too quickly. If we played tighter between the circles and blue line we might be way less prone to give the puck up. Ask any D its hard to make a good play when you have 1 outlet

I agree, but Pionk’s resume suggests that he will be fine. I don’t mind our players, it’s the system that the coaching staff stubbornly stick to that bothers me.

 

[Rheged]

I really thought the Pionk-Dillon pairing was gonna be great this season, had far less confidence in anything else going on with the defense. Funny how opposite it's been so far.

 

[LowLefty]

Partner chemistry sometimes takes time to develop, and maybe Pionk and Dillon just won't work out. If they're still struggling at Christmas I'll be worried but not so much now.

This could be the case - neither is the type that plays anything close to a safe game in their end.
They play a similar game in one way - they both love to go for the hit that completely takes them out of the play.
Wouldn't be surprised to see Stan and Pionk / Dillon and Demelo at some point.
Stan and Pionk second pairing

 

[Gm0ney]

Everything would turn around for Dillon if he just switched away from the cursed number he's wearing on his jersey... (?)

 

[Jet]

Everything would turn around for Dillon if he just switched away from the cursed number he's wearing on his jersey... (?)

He should wear #6 - that's my number and I'd like to think we play a similar style. Funny thing is it's my number because of Phil Housley, who didn't play that way at all. Have we even had a #6 on 2.0?

 

[Gm0ney]

He should wear #6 - that's my number and I'd like to think we play a similar style. Funny thing is it's my number because of Phil Housley, who didn't play that way at all. Have we even had a #6 on 2.0?

Hainsey?

 

[Jet]

Hainsey?

Oh shit. Yeah, that guy.

 

[RustyCat]

Pionk has been subpar this season but I am not worried. It is still early and he is, in fact, a good defenceman. The guy who has impressed me the most has been DeMelo. Just steady as she goes back there and what a great mentor for Stanley.

I don't fault the D this year, it is clear there is some adjusting to a new system. That said, the last two games have been slightly more cohesive so we will see if that trend continues.

 

[voyageur]

Partner chemistry sometimes takes time to develop, and maybe Pionk and Dillon just won't work out. If they're still struggling at Christmas I'll be worried but not so much now.

I'd like to see Stanley paired with Pionk, give those two some offensive zone minutes, both are capable of sustaining the zone, especially on the boards, and Dillon paired with De Melo behind Lowry's line, some heavy d-zone minutes.

 

[neelynugs]

how many D are you guys carrying right now? the website says 10 but i'm guessing that's not accurate

 

[None]

how many D are you guys carrying right now? the website says 10 but i'm guessing that's not accurate

Morrissey-Schmidt
Dillon-Pionk
Stanley-Demelo
Beaulieu

IR: Dylan Samberg and maybe Nelson Nogier?

 

[Do or Die]

All new D parings......require some shake down time. That said, results are somewhat disappointing, so far. Hope we see an uptick, soon....

 

[AlaskaJet]

Maybe sheltered 5on5 but the toughest minutes are on the PK and Big Stan and DeMelo lead all team defencemen in PK/TOI and are lowest in team defencmen PK GA/60. I think Maurice should start giving them more even strength ice time. My bet is that Big Stan will be a top 4 d-man on this team. The sooner the better because that would allow Dillon to be traded to add cap space and a spot for Samberg

This young Padua Slamberg I am liking, yes..