Follow Pete on Twitter
HERE
The Jets had a flurry of activity in their world yesterday, as all but a few of their crop of RFAs were qualified. The unlucky ones who have been set free are Gregoire, Macenauer, Carrozzi and O’Neill. It was a bit touch and go as there was no word as to whether any contact had been made to qualify them as close to 10 minutes before the deadline. There was even some talk of a Dale Tallon-esque miscue with the process but like al things with TNSE silence and discretion were just part and parcel of the process.
The other news that seemed to seep out later on was the re-signing of Grant Clitsome to a 3 year 6.2 million deal for a $600,000 raise to 2.066 million per year. It sparked some good discussion last night about his value and where he may fit on the team. Looking at the Jets rear guards it looks like this is the break down with no changes coming.
Enstrom Byfuglien
Bogosian Clitsome
Stuart Redmond
Kulda Postma
Trouba
I put Bogo in there because I cannot for the life of me see any way in which he is not re-signed by the Jets, either their terms or via an offer sheet. I also left Trouba off the pairings because I am not so sure he makes the big club. He had a solid outing during the world championships but that is the only professional hockey we can measure him with and come NHL season he may not be ready. Sheltered minutes on the third pairing may be a start but conservative thinking would suggest he begins year in St. John’s and called up when absolutely necessary.
The curious part of the Clitsome deal is where does he fit? If Ron Hainsey is not retained or another player (hello Keith Ballard) brought in to replace him does Clitsome drop to the third line thus pushing players such as Postma and Redmond further down?
If you look at games lost to injury on the Jets’ defense the past two seasons it’s easy to see ‘opportunity knocks’ for any player looking for a chance to get in the line up. That being said is Clitsome a player one signs for 3 years after claiming him on waivers? More importantly, does the contract suggest where he will fit in on pairings in terms of depth?
That was the gist of the discussion about Grant last night on Twitter and it all seems a bit premature. Fans tend to think in linear patterns and progression and if applied to this situation it makes many think Hainsey is gone and therefore Clitsome assumes his spot and role. It’s not that simple.
They arrived at terms before other moves could or will be made is how I would look at the scenario. It does not mean that Grant Clitsome is a top-4 defenseman, the contract simply states that he’s a Winnipeg Jet for three years at 2.066/year. Where he slots in is up to him he’s just going to have to work at it against far deeper competition in Winnipeg than has previously been here.
By signing Clitsome, a guy who seemed to revive his career in Winnipeg after being waived, the Jets have said to him that he’s no longer a ‘place holder’. I can live with that, he does more than a few things adequately and has found a spot as a true utility player. The Jets need that until their draft picks start pushing the rest of the roster with their developing play, Zach Redmond being a prime example.
Criticize all you want about whether this move improves the Jets or not but in the short term the team is not any worse off and this is not a year with an abundance of free agent defense options. As Jim Toth from CJOB tweeted last night after seeing this contract “it’s a good year to be Ron Hainsey.”
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • 
Join the Discussion:
»