The Winnipeg Jets defensive numbers took a step back last year after being one of the better defensive teams in the 2014-2015 season. Following a season in which they finished top 10 in goals against per game (GA/GP) at 2.56, the Jets got younger, and finished last season 22nd in goals against, with 2.88 GA/GP.

On paper, the Jets have a strong group of defencemen with an excellent combination of physicality and puck skills. Assistant Coach Charlie Huddy primarily works with the defenders on this squad, and it will be up to him make sure that the infusion of younger defencemen can capably overtake the ice time from some of the aging vets (ie. Mark Stuart), or from a particular restricted free agent that’s gone missing.

With Trouba’s absence and Stuart’s declining role, there figures to be 25-30 minutes of opportunity that someone will need to claim as their own. Continue reading

At first glance, last season didn’t seem so good.

In late February we sold off our only Captain in Andrew Ladd for a pick and a prospect. By early March, it was obvious the playoffs were no longer possible (unless we traded for Andrew Hammond), and we had failed to build off of our first rendition of the Winnipeg White-Out that captivated the entire hockey world a year prior.

Yet anyone who followed the team closely saw that last season was just another step up the ladder to success throughout the organization.

The Jets ended the 2015 season on a fantastic note, finishing 6-2-2 in their last 10 games. The line of Nik Ehlers, Mark Scheifele, and Blake Wheeler tore it up, combining for 36 points in those 10 games. Late season winning streaks rarely mean a thing for the next season. But considering how much more Scheifele and Ehlers still have to grow as players, it’s hard to pinpoint just exactly how dangerous they’ll be.

Down on the farm and through the junior ranks, first year pros such as Josh Morrissey, Nic Petan, Chase De Leo, and Eric Comrie all had strong seasons in Manitoba, and the 2015 draft’s first round pick in Kyle Connor was having a Jack Eichel-type of freshman season south of the border. If you factor in the young players already in the NHL: Scheifele, Trouba, Ehlers, Hellebuyck, Lowry, and Copp, and it looked like the Jets were only adding to a barracks of young talent that would be offering reinforcements for years to come.

Then on April 30th, 2016, the franchise changed forever. The Jets were gifted the rights to the second overall pick in the 2016 draft, otherwise known as 6’4″ goalscorer Patrik Laine.

Nearly two months later, in late June, the Jets added a franchise winger to an already remarkable set of prospects. With a strong leadership group already in place, this offence is quickly morphing into a juggernaut. Continue reading

It is time.

The preseason is upon us, and it is time to begin evaluating not just with numbers from last year and our own projection of players, but to finally begin using our eyes to see who jumps out like a frog, and who trudges along like a snail.

The Jets opened their preseason with a 3-0 loss in Calgary on Tuesday. As you’d expect, the lineup was sparse with NHL talent – only 5 NHL regulars were in the game – but with the loaded (if not overflowing) pipeline of prospects, the preseason has presented all Jets fans with plenty of hockey fodder to gnaw on. Although the Jets lost, they dominated possession for a portion of the game, and the scoreline was perhaps not reflective of the type of chances the Jets created. Calgary’s goaltending was fantastic.

A couple of players really caught my attention. I’ll be very curious to see their performance as the preseason trudges along and the competition resembles more of an NHL lineup.

Brandon Tanev

We caught a glimpse of Tanev for 3 games last year, but he absolutely stood out against Calgary, and any hockey fan could see that. Tanev is like a slingshot coming through the neutral zone and he was effective in harassing the opposition’s defence on numerous occasion. Continue reading

It’s only been a year and change since the blockbuster deal that threw the hockey world for a loop, and despite young, undeveloped pieces the Jets received, it’s time to say the Jets are emerging as clear victors.

For those unfamiliar or needing a refresher, on February 11th, 2015, the Jets traded Evander Kane, Zach Bogosian, and goaltending prospect Jason Kasdorf for Drew Stafford, Tyler Myers, Joel Armia, Brendan Lemieux, and St. Louis’ previously acquired first round pick, which was 25th overall (Jets selected Jack Roslovic).

In my eyes the trade breaks down to Bogosian for Myers, and Kane and Kasdorf for Stafford, Armia, Lemieux, and Roslovic.

Let’s take a look. Continue reading

In the Eastern Conference right now, there is a mere 10 points that separates 4th from 13th. On the surface, it looks like the league accomplished it’s goal from the 2005 lockout: to increase parity and work towards a league that brings competitive hockey games each and every night. To some degree, it has worked. At the end of January bottom teams such as Carolina and Philadelphia were able to defeat two of the leagues best: Chicago and Washington, respectively.

But is the current point format really suggesting an equal and more balanced playing landscape? Or is it all smoke in mirrors, with three point games diluting who the best clubs really are?

We’re here to tackle the point system and some of the implications it has on the standings, and more importantly, the fan experience. Continue reading