Part 2
Prologue:
Are you an optimist or a pessimist when it comes to the Jets. There are reasons to be both but the divide between the two is almost as severe as what we see in politics. You are either with us or against us. It's not a harsh attitude and peppered with underlying issues and angst but this divide is quite noticeable with the Jets fan base. As we inch towards next season what can be the realist perspective that might bridge that middle ground?
The goal, and it appears to be within the team and up to ownership, is to make the playoffs this year, (as it should be every year). The Jets seem to always have something go wrong in that regards and this offseason has seen Kevin Cheveldayoff the GM do as much as he's every done to shore up holes and build a team that will make the post season. In fact Chevy may have been trying to do more but was not able to pull the trigger on more significant moves.
Defense
The Jets defense was one of the most criticized parts of the team last year and in some regards has been since the team moved to Winnipeg. Love Byfuglien or hate him he's the lightning rod of controversy for so many fans and media. His long-standing partner Toby Enstrom also seems to be one who drifts in and out of favour with fans for being too small or too injury prone.
There is also the future of Trouba and Morrissey who in some eyes should be the top pairing this season and beyond. However contract issues and his desire to be a Winnipeg Jets are a cloud that seems to never go away.
Tyler Myers had a lost season last year for injury reasons and now well-documented family issues. His return should in theory boost the structure and depth of the Jets defines corps. The question of where and who he plays with is also a concern and somewhat of a question without an answer.
Out are Mark Stuart and Paul Postma who were long standing players on the blue-line; one who received too much time and responsibility while the other never seemed to be able to get a 'fair' chance.
Coming in is Dmitry Kulikov, a player the Jets signed to replace Stuart and hopefully get a bounce-back season after a problematic year in Buffalo.
Realistically Speaking
The Jets need a significant boost in effectiveness from their defensemen. This term effectiveness means more than simply scoring and supporting the forwards with offence. By adding in Kulikov and hopefully having a healthy season of Myers the Jets should be better than before but any improvement must have a change in play/tactics.
The defence has to be able to transition with the puck for an offence built on a speed attack with players like Wheeler, Ehlers, Laine and Scheifele. The change for this group is finding ways to move the puck out of their zone quickly before they get hemmed in, a problem which showed up frequently last season. The question remains is reshaping the roster enough to make this change happen?
At some point Dustin Byfuglien's production will decline, is that this year or next or further out? Big Buff played the most minutes in the NHL last year for skaters. This was likely due to the injury plagued defence and the lack of depth within the organization to fill this holes. Is it any better now?
At this point Chiarot, Nogier, and Melchiori seem to be the depth players and for some fans not seeing Stuart's name is a relief the lack of experience aside of Chiarot is concerning.
Toby Enstrom is in the final year of his contract. While some would suggest he's long past his prime he still is an effective player who does exactly what the Jets need more of, moving the puck up the ice and containing play in the offensive zone.
The primary question with this group remains: is it good enough to help change the fortunes of the team?
That's tough to answer because it's not easy to know what to make of the Jets defense other than at some point a transition will occur as key player like Buff and Enstrom drop off while Trouba and Morrissey emerge. Does that start this year by ice time and usage or next?
This group has more focus on it than any other aside from goaltending and unfortunately some of the pressure here is going to be part of any goaltending criticism too, right or wrong. Part of the focus has to trickle up to the coaches as well. Maurice and Huddy need to find a way to maximize the value of this group while aligning it with the key strength of the team it's offensive talent pool.
That's not an easy task but a few more stops by goaltenders and a more stable skill set in front of the crease might help and given what Chevy has done with this group I'm betting that's what he sees and hopes happens too.
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • 
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