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Trade Rumour Update, Game Preview & 5 thoughts

February 23, 2012, 1:45 PM ET [11 Comments]
Peter Tessier
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It’s a quick and dirty piece today as things around here are a bit manic. Fun things first, there are a couple of little rumours sneaking out that the Jets have interest in Bryan Allen from the Hurricanes.

Take a look at this picture from the 30,000 foot view. Allen is a big, 6’4” 220lb, defensemen who plays a stay at home physical game. Allen has 78 hits which would put him 4th on the Jets as hits by a defenseman. Where Allen should help is in front of the net and he has 130 blocked shots this season which would put him right behind Stuart who has 141. It would also put him almost 40 blocks ahead of the next best Jet Johnny Oduya.

If you consider the giveaways, which drive Jets fans nuts, Allen might help as he only has 26 compared with Byfuglien at 37, Stuart at 33 and Bogosian at 32. Allen plays almost identical ice time to Oduya and has 8 assists and +2 while the Jet has 2 goal 11 asissts and is -9. Add in the 40 more blocked shots and he may be a better deal. Consider that for every 10.9 shots the Jets give up a goal. Allen blocks 40 more shots than Oduya and potentially saves 4 more goals against. The Jets have been in 26 one-goal games if Allen stops 4 more goals from going in the Jets in theory could be 4 points higher in the standings and third in the east by 4. It’s a game of inches.

I’m not suggesting it would be an Oudya for Allen swap but if Chevy is true to his words about looking to improve his team then brining in Allen, who spent 68 games with the Moose in 2001-02, would be a smart move. He would have to be re-signed and when considering the team’s needs a Bryan Allen is a better long term acquisition than holding onto Johnny Oduya in my opinion.

Darren Dreger was on 1290 yesterday and he said that chatter around the Jets has died down since the last 4 games post Islanders debacle. Dreger and Gary Lawless made a lot of sense when they suggested that Chevy plans to ride it out and see what his group can do down the stretch. A minor deal, such as mocing Oduya and acquiring Allen may be all the excitement Jets fans see this deadline.

Tonight marks the fourth game against the Tampa Bay Lightning this season. It also marks an important test for the Jets as I wrote earlier- how do they get ‘up’ after crashing so hard against the Flyers? The Lighting have traded a popular player in Downie and now have to deal with the loss Vinnie Lecavlier due to a hand injury. The Bolts are a team which should be reeling, yet they are only 5 points out of 8th in the east and are 5-3-2 in their last 10 games.

There’s no easy or simple way to present how the Jets must play but it has to be better than what happened in the third period against the Flyers. The Jets’ players have to regroup themselves and not allow the opposition to dictate the flow and pace of the game for any long stretch of time, as that is what killed them on Tuesday.

Bogosian is expected to be out still with what some are calling hand injury, at least that’s what Ed Tait referred to it as earlier today. If this is a continuing problem grabbing a player like Allen would make even more sense for Chevy. It’s another big game for the Jets and it’s time for coach Noel to call for another 20 for 60 effort from his charges.

5 thoughts

1. If Allen is a target would it be as easy as a draft pick and then recouping that pick back by moving Oduya?
2. Should shoring up the defense be a bigger priority than scoring for Chevy if he is to make any moves.
3. Would fans be okay if no moves are made and this team is given the backing and support by management to try to win as is?
4. Would you trade Wellwood or try to re-sign him?
5. Every team the Jets are chasing, Toronto and Florida, have games in hand. Is it realistic to make moves in hopes of catching these teams?

Enjoy the Game.



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