Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

The Winnipeg Jets' Biggest Question Marks

September 11, 2013, 12:09 AM ET [5 Comments]
Peter Tessier
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Follow Pete on Twitter HERE


Now that we’re seeing training camp rosters show up and most of a team’s players showing up for pre-camp skating all the talk is about optimism for each team. At least it seems that way.

A new season is a clean slate for everyone, the proverbial ‘fresh start’ and most fans seem to want to believe their team has a chance at something, even if it is a top 3 pick.

As this optimism applies to the Winnipeg Jets there were some astute observations made on Twitter today from various Jets, media, bloggers and interested fans. First and foremost was the question from Patrick Williams of NHL.com.
“What is your biggest Jets question mark?”

It’s a simple question with an answer based on an individual’s opinion. How that individual arrives at that opinion is a whole other matter entirely but the answers were interesting. Of what I saw as responses there is no clear consensus as to what the Jets biggest question mark may be?

One could see a positive, that nothing too glaring stands out to the masses while others could see a negative, too many little things are left ‘hanging in the balance’. But therein lies the answer as I see it.

In my response to Williams I said “no one seems convinced all or any were addressed adequately this offseason”.

While I have pointed out in this space, that it’s unfair to judge the moves that were made this past off-season until games are played, I do think it’s fair to see if those moves addressed the Jets question marks.

First though, it seems a summary of those very questions needs to be made. Below is what I consider the biggest question marks for the Jets as they waited for the off-season to begin.

1. Second line support for Evander Kane
2. Competent back-up goalie
3. Bottom six forward depth
4. Bottom pairing defense
5. Goaltending
6. Special teams
7. Coaching

While these are in no particular order there would appear that these seven items are accurate as they relate to the temperament of fans and interested parties as I see, read and hear, hopefully others too.

1. The Jets made two acquisitions this offseason that would be considered significant names, Devon Setoguchi and Michael Frolik. Setoguchi is the elusive right winger that has not been there to support Kane and take away the focus and defensive strategy applied to him. Is he the right guy long-term? It will depend on this season as the risk is low due to it being a contract year for Setoguchi and should he not work out he can be moved by the trade deadline.

The other wild card here is Mark Scheifele and whether he can make the team, and if he does is he slotted in as the second line centre pushing Jokinen down? Throwing Scheifele to the professional wolves might be hard to watch but at some point he has to face the tough competition as a pro. Before seeing him in camp and playing pre-season games I think it’s a management ‘toss-up’ as to whether he learns via the school of hard knocks or gets some time in the AHL via St. John’s. More importantly Scheifele has to know there is a job there for him, now he just has to prove he is the best fit for the position.

2. Nothing changed with the tandem the Jets had last season in Al Montoya backing up Ondrej Pavelec. In fact most fans seemed happy to have Montoya back as he was preferred at times over Pavelec during the grind of a condensed and shortened season. While the devil you know, as the saying goes, is better than the one you don’t know, it’s hard to imagines that a better option didn’t exist. Frankly the goaltending issue seems tied to coaching and how and when the goalies are used. Find a good rhythm and perhaps there are a few more wins to eek out from the pair but at some point Pavelec needs to be pushed to make the choice obvious and I don’t think Montoya can do that.

3. The bottom six has been an issue since the start of the 2011 season and while fan-favourite lines,(GST) and players, (Wright, Peluso) have earned a place in some hearts- few have shown a reason to believe in them as consistent role players. Much maligned Russian Alexander Burmistrov left for the KHL and whether this was with the Jets blessing or not is unknown but it did not come as a surprise. I would suspect the Jets, GM Kevin Chevaldayoff in particular, knew this event was likely to happen and made the deal for Frolik. While not a player Jets fans would think a savvy acquisition many Chicago fans were sad to see him go and he just may be the same player as Burmistrov without the offensive upside. That being said it appears that upside was not being realized in Winnipeg but once again, that topic ties into coaching.

Incoming players such as Gordon, Halischuk, and Samson were signed as depth but could push the Wright’s, Peluso’s, and Tangradi’s to work and compete harder for their jobs. The key word is ‘could’. The simple fact is once into the bottom six the Jets still lack an identity and anchor and perhaps that’s where Frolik comes in but he alone cannot change the outcome and effectiveness of two lines.

4 The bottom-pairing defense is an interesting one as Hainsey certainly seems gone forever and Clitsome has a three-year deal. With Enstrom-Byfuglien, Bogosian –Clitsome and Stuart-???? opportunity is more than just an appearance. Zach Redmond will make a strong case, as he was more than a surprise in his play before a near fatal injury ended his NHL season. What about Jacob Trouba the heralded top pick from the 2012 draft? He played in the WJHC, the World Championships and held his own, if not showing some poise and maturity for an 18 year-old. The opportunity is there but he will certainly have to earn it, even more than Scheifele as even the most gifted players on defense need time as they experience the pro game.

Paul Postma will also make a case after playing 34 games with the Jets last season, as well as Steinbach MB native Ian White, formerly of the Red Wings. He was offered a PTO today to the Jets camp and he will add some veteran presence like Adam Pardy who was signed to a cheap deal this past off-season. In my opinion White offers more upside, and a great depth of experience than Pardy but what is the cost for him and who else may be interested. Consider this fact though, only Stuart has managed to play more than 70 games in a season as defense for the Jets, and only Clitsome and Byfuglien were on pace to break 70 games played last season. (Hainsey too but he is not back.) The Jets need depth on a not so durable defense and one that boasts the most expensive top 3 in the league. They may have the depth but only by a committee and one that still needs some members to gain experience.

5. Goaltending was an issue and will continue to be one until Ondrej Pavelec improves his raw numbers, GAA, and save percentage. At some point he has to make the extra saves and keep the extra goal out. Workload comes into play and if he has improved his fitness then it should help at his historical levels not more. In fact though Pavelec’s workload is often tied to usage by the coach as many see it. Fix the latter and watch the benefits happen.

Say what you want about Pavelec, he has all the tools in the tool box, it just seems he is asked to use it too often and lets it spill all over the floor. The guy needs help and it comes first from the coach then his back-up partner.

6. The special teams, namely the power play, was a hot mess for Winnipeg last year. While some claim it got better under new coach Perry Pearn towards the end of the season, the damage of that change may have already been done. The Jets were dead last in PP% at 13.8- yes it was that ugly. While the neither the home or road stats pegged the Jets last in either the combined total brought them to the bottom and that just says one thing to me: nothing was really working. That’s on coaching and when considering the Jets had 39 more minutes of PP time than Boston,(who as last in PP time) it speaks to the inefficiencies.

The PK was not much better in terms of combined ranking of both home and away successes. However the road effort really killed the team and at 73.5% there was really only one way to go, up- and then they could not muster that. With Burmistrov gone it’s time to look to Frolik and his maturity and experience to help shore up the PK unit, oh and the coaching again too.

7. The last one but arguably the most important is coaching. Claude Noel has the team his GM is building around. The contracts are in place, the barren prospects cupboards are replenished and it’s time for the coach who got his job based on his development record in Winnipeg and Milwaukee to earn his keep. He’s got the last year of his first deal to convince management and ownership that he can guide this team further than the last two years. Whether it is goalie usage, special teams, or the forwards and defense everything eventually comes back to the head coach.

Noel has to make some sort of progress with this group and it probably has to start sooner than later after the season starts. I don’t think he can afford, nor the team, to hope another ‘December to remember’ happens as it did in 2011. Moreover, the biggest question is what will he do differently to improve the team’s performance on the ice? Perhaps a normal start to the season with players arriving in shape and familiar with him, the systems, and the city will help but should any of those be issues to begin with?

I have not taken the time to look at other teams and what question marks they may have as they head into training camp but does that matter? The Jets can’t control nor affect what other teams did this off-season; they can only concern themselves with their issues. Is seven too many to have for a team such as Winnipeg? I may have left one or two out but I don’t think they matter too much, or are lesser compared to the above. What does matter as I see it is the coach can address the issues and management supports him as best they can. He’s been given a roster with plenty of turnover and change, some by design and perhaps some not, but it’s what he has to work with.

If general opinion is that none of the key issues facing the Jets were addressed to basic satisfaction it’s time for Claude Noel to seize the opportunity. As Patrick Williams said later with a slick analogy, “a strong wall can get by with one weak brick. But the more bad bricks you have, the more magnified each brick becomes.” It’s a good point but a good mason can lay those bricks to hide their imperfections and that’s what Claude Noel has to do this season. If he does it well, and builds a wall that can withstand some pressure there’s a good chance he’s around next year to keep it going.
Join the Discussion: » 5 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Peter Tessier
» Who are the Jets and time for me to let go...
» Jets bet Oilers in scoreless but exciting game.
» Digestion Problems: Jets edition
» Laine shines in 5-2 win over Wild
» Hellebuyck, Laine and Defense shine in 4-1 win over Penguins