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Maurice Speaks, Myers Done & oh Hi Kings! |
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If the Jets weren't trying to be bad or get worse the injury bug is certainly sending them a message- you're going down. The latest is Tyler Myers who is out after having to endure two surgeries, first a knee surgery and then an upcoming hip one that will sideline him 16-20 weeks. It's hoped that he will be able to be ready for training camp in the fall.
Speaking of fall, is that what everyone expects the Jets to do tonight when they host the Kings who may be the best team in the NHL at this moment? Julian Melchiori, the twin to Myers tower will have his hands full tonight. This is your Jets defence for tonight
Buff Trouba
Postma Chairot
Melchiori Stuart
I'm not even sure if it's worth putting Trouba and Buff together or if it's possible with this lineup. Oh how the Jets miss Adam Pardy right now if you can even say that it's worth plugging holes.
If you missed the "Coach's Summit" on 1290's Hustler and Lawless show yesterday there was some interesting kernels of information from the Jets head coach Paul Maurice. In light of this news it appears the coach knew this Myers news was coming as he talked at length about seeing who is taking the opportunity to play and what they are doing with it. It was a direct link to the current youth movement and what could be even more of one next season if a prospect like Kyle Connor makes the jump to the NHL.
The full audio is on the 1290 vault but what came across is that Maurice is very aware, and has been for some time, of the situation he and the team are in: the transition to the youth and the role he will play.
What was clear was that Maurice has some say and input into direction as he talked about measuring the players now being inserted into the line up on what seems like a daily basis. Maurice went so far as to infer that the what they see now could influence the draft, UFAs and trades in the future.
When opportunity knocks you better be ready to open the door.
So who has been ready for the opportunity?
Kosmanchuk
Melchiori
Postma
DeLeo
Petan
Has any of these players stood out enough to give hope for next season?
The Kings come into the MTS Centre tonight looking to keep tuning up for the post season. They dropped a 2-1 decision on Tuesday to a desperate Wild team who are in a dog fight with Colorado for the 8th spot in the west. Aside from that they are 6-3-1 in their last ten although they have lost 2 straight.
One thing Maurice talked about was the role of Mark Scheifele. How if he's going to get better and reach his ceiling or lift it he has to make his defensive game better or explained another was expand his two-way game to be able to handle the Kopitars, Bergerons and Toews of the league. Not an easy task and the coach was forthcoming in saying that Scheifele was not there yet and behind Bryan Little. Again though, this spat of injuries is also a chance for young 55, if he wants to be the number one centre he has to learn what it takes and now is that time.
It does not matter if the team is in a race or out- the job still needs to be done. Tonight Scheifele gets to face Kopitar and see how he measures up, as does the coach. That's not a role I envy for anyone but its one Scheifele must embrace and learn to do. He can always be a 50-55 point guy but if he wants to go higher he needs more ice time as Maurice explained yesterday. To get that you have to be the number one guy, no better time to start than now.
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • 
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