Jets camp Group B Preview
Group A of the three Jets training camp groups was done first and for those believing in the inevitable youth movement that group provided a tantalizing look at what could happen this season in terms of roster make-up. Group B is not far off but hardly the intrigue of Group A.
The curious aspect of these groups as I look at them and try to understand them is how were they created? Are there sets of players the coaches and management want to see together? Is there a formula or system they are working with?
Here are the groups again for you to review.
Goaltenders
Michael Hutchinson and Mikahail Berdin are the two slated to anchor Group B and it would be foolish to think that this camp is anything more than the beginning of the professional learning curve for Berdin. That’s important in a ‘draft and develop’ model but the real question is Hutch. He signed a two-year deal as an RFA which while giving him a raise and some short term security is clearly a move to be Expansion Draft compliant come the end of the season. Without that contract the Jets would have to expose Connor Hellebuyck to the expansion draft as he would be the only goalie in the system compliant with expansion draft rules.
Think of it this way- if Hutch’s deal was not compliant what would be the cost to Chevy if he needed to acquire a goalie later? Despite the calls that Pavelec should be sent down I see Hutchinson starting behind the Pavelec unless something bizarre or unfortunate happens.
Defence
Of this list; Enstrom, Strait, Green, Nogier, Melchiori and Stoykewych it’s the veteran Thrasher/Jet Enstrom who is a lock to be on the roster. The intriguing pieces though are Strait, Nogier and Melchiori. They present the most likely challenge to moving further in camp and possible depth for the final roster, no matter how likely that is.
Forwards
Again, like the defence roster of this group, there is not a lot of certainty. Within this group only Thorburn (yes him) and Lowry seem certain or close to it to make the final roster. But this group is intriguing and if there are spots available this is one group that could have the biggest battles for those spots. Consider the youth and hunger from the follwoing:
Copp- had a rookie year finished strong but clearly under pressure
Tanev- acquired late in the season and got a taste of pro level hockey
Howden, local kid who could not cut it on other teams now getting a chance
Cormier- long time call up and possible last chance to impress
Lipon- agitator and and possible future replacement of the Thorburn positions/role
The others, Lodge, Blomqvist Olsen and Denham do not seem likely to stay long but deserve just as much of a chance as anyone.
That above group is clearly something to watch. While some would suggest that after the dismal season the Moose had last year the lower level signings are designed to help shore up the Moose while providing call up depth that may or may not have existed before- that’s open to interpretation. Copp and Tanev and Lowry and Thorburn, while favourites to move forward must know they are under pressure. This group should provide the proverbial ‘competitive fireworks’ that has been lacking in past camps.
Locks
Hutchinson
Enstrom
Lowry, Thorburn
Likely
Strait, Melchiori, Copp, Tanev, Howden, Lipon
Outsiders
The rest.
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • 
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