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Jets Grades: The First Line

April 24, 2017, 1:35 PM ET [21 Comments]
Peter Tessier
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Jets Grades, the 1st Line


Finishing off the forwards now with the top line seems like an easy task. In retrospect it almost seems silly handing out grades to what is one of the top scoring lines in the NHL with Ehlers, Scheifele and Wheeler. What can you say about them that is a negative? Is there another trio that had as many points or impact on their team? Perhaps Nylander, Matthews and Hyman but that’s it as far as I can tell.

What continues to be overlooked is this: the Jets are a top heavy talent team and if they are to change and make a step like their apparent 2016 draft class rival the Toronto Maple Leafs they are going to have to spread that talent around. That’s a different topic altogether though.

Ehlers, Scheifele and Wheeler


Nik Ehlers A

The young Dane may be the most exciting Jets player. He is probably more dynamic than Patrik Laine simply because of the way he skates. When Ehlers winds it up he’s very hard to slow down or contain and once the Jets figure out how to use his speed better he’s only going to become more dangerous.

Ehlers does have some habits he has to improve upon one is his penchant for embellishing penalties. Would it surprise anyone if he had a reputation with the officials already? One thing Ehlers has to work upon is his defensive play, which for many high scoring forwards is not uncommon. Ehlers however tends to play a bit smaller than he is and does not read the play as well as he should when in his own zone. There’s not much to tweak with Ehler’s game and most of it would come via coaching systems and tactics anyway and we know where that conversation goes.

What the coach says: “Nik my boy, have you had a great season. I know I moved you all over the place but it’s funny how I put you right back where you finished last season, with Scheifs and Wheels. I think we were out of the playoffs then too right? I don’t want to stifle your creativity but we’ve got to tweak a few things for next season. So I tell you what you work on your zone exits and reads and I’ll devise a system that probably won’t work well enough for anyone? Deal?”

Mark Scheifele A… (so close to plus)

Scheifele did not so much have a breakout season as much as he had another step further in what should be a still steep trajectory. 7th in points overall and tied for 17th in goals what more is there to ask of Scheifele? Perhaps continued commitment to strength and core work so he can play bigger in his own zone? That’s his real lone weak spot, the defensive game and it might be exacerbated by the fact that he struggles with physical battles in his own end. The fact is should he develop that side of his game he will be one of the best centres in the game if he’s not already top 5. Ask this if the NHL were participating in the Olympics does Scheifele make team Canada?

What the coach says: “Bamb…err Mark sorry buddy, thought it was still joke time around here. Mark, you’re a stud and thanks heaven you’ve emerged because your offence is saving my butt. Had you and the other guys not produced at such a huge rate then I’m not sure what people would be saying about my systems. Have you heard what those guys on Twitter and blogs say about me? It hurts me Mark, like being called Bambi hurt you. Keep up the off season development and strength training and you’ve been a great Alternate Captain too, that was a great choice by me wasn’t it. You’ll have that C soon enough, just you wait”.


Blake Wheeler A

Wheeler assumed the role of Captain of the Jets this past season and easily became the de-facto voice of the Jets. He was 4th in scoring for the league at right wing and had another season of playing 82 games, his third in the last four seasons. Wheeler is inherently the spiritual leader of the Jets, emotional, provocative and somewhat prickly he is what he is and makes no apologies. The other thing he is: consistent. In those same 4 seasons Wheeler has had 69, 61, 78, and 74 points for the Jets and solidified himself as one of the top RWs in the league and perhaps one of the most underrated at the same time. Wheeler drives play and and does not shirk responsibility in his own zone either. Want to see him in A+ territory? Maybe he should be already, at least as it relates to this team and perhaps something fans should think about is where would the team be without him?

What the coach says: “Blake I know you get emotional, I know you shoot from the hip when you speak but that’s good. It takes so much focus off of me and my line combos and usage I wish you would do it more often. Being Captain isn’t easy but you have handled it well and given support to the young guys when needed and put your mitts up too! That’s all I can ask for right? I’ll think of something else for next year during camp but you go have a good summer and come back ready to develop those young guys some more mmm’kay?”
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