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#2 pick means Finnish Flash 2.0? |
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Jets are number 2- Another Finnish Flash?
The draft went as predicted by the odds right up until the 6th pick when the Calgary Flames were drawn. What happened next was the sudden realization that the Jets were the first team to move up, but how far? After the Canucks and then the Oilers were drawn Sportsnet went to a break with the suspense in Winnipeg at an all-time high. Twitter was on fire, with joy and speculation of one, two or three. Mathews, Laine or Puljujarvi the consensus top 3 picks.
When Bill Daly flipped the next card and Columbus came up the excitement grew as did the tension. The let down at number 2 was hardly much when the Maple Leafs logo appeared. The Jets had got something that almost everyone in the NHL wanted, a shot at either Mathew or Laine.
Something tells me though that the satisfaction of having the choice to take either would be outweighed if Laine could become Jets 2.0’s version of the Finnish Flash.
There’s always a chance and what most pundits have said about young Finn, one who dominated in his post season this year, is that he might have the best upside potential of the draft. What that means exactly is somewhat up to interpretation but it means Laine while not the best right now could be the best down the road. One has to wonder if ‘ready to play now’ means more to Toronto than ‘what could be down the road’ based on the patience that they have shown.
What do the Jets have should they get the option of drafting Laine?
Wicked shot- check
Puck control and possession- check
Long stride- check
What he could be is a gifted offensive talent like few others have ever been available for the franchise. So why would Toronto pass on him?
There is a curious thing that is interesting and not talked about. Both Mathews and Laine are fine choices to pick but who has more pressure- Toronto or Winnipeg?
That’s an easy answer and the Leafs have the right managment in place with Shanahan and Lamorillo to handle it but that does not make pressure go away. This is after all the first, first overall selection the Leafs have had since they took Wendell Clark. Do they pass that opportunity up? It’s hard to imagine but Laine could make a compelling case for the Leafs when looking at their very good stable of players.
However let’s look at the upcoming draft in June using the rankings we have now and Mathews goes first. Chevy steps up and takes Laine and the fans in Winnipeg go wild, but what does that mean come September?
Let’s speculate.
Is there any reason to change up what finished so strong from last year?
Ehlers Schiefele Wheeler
Keeping the power trio together is based around how Schiefele comes to camp. Paul Maurice has said he’s close to being able to handle the best of the NHL it’s Scheifele’s job to prove it.
Connor Little Laine
Kyle Conner could be NHL-ready or not but like Ehlers he can’t be relegated to a line or line mates that can’t compliment his skill. Is Laine the same way- probably. Bryan Little still remains one of the most underrated centres and this kid line could be interesting, if it happens at all.
Perreault, Lowry, Stafford
While Perreault could play centre or LW, Lowry seems more comfortable in his natural centre roll. Adding Lowry’s size and Perreault’s skills could help make Stafford another positive contributor in his final year of current deal.
Burmistrov, Copp, Armia
While Burmistrov had a rough season at first he came on when playing with players of greater skill, would Copp and Armia be enough? Both have some fine offensive instincts and skill and could some one like Burmistrov be the elixir to unleash a true depth fourth line with skill as opposed to skirmish?
See what happened there? No Thorburn, no Peluso, no players without skill or waiver wire fodder. But there’s a variable where is Dano?
Assuming it’s Laine who the Jets land, who is more ready to play in the NHL Connor or Laine? Laine is listed as playing both LW and RW and should Connor need time in the minors Dano could slip in on the right side and the Jets are no worse off.
It’s rather premature to build rosters right now but that’s the fun when a night like this goes down. There are still many questions and decisions to be made before training camp but right now the Jets will certainly benefit from some good luck. So when it was mentioned after the season ended that the Jets might be getting even younger this coming season, it’s almost assured now and I would imagine fans are okay with that now more than ever.
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • 
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