There was enough draft content out there on the Jets this past weekend to satisfy any fan and yours truly included. Readers of this space know that I don’t get too deep into the draft of players past the first round and I won’t pretend to be an expert on draft eligible players. I will look at some of the theory behind the moves the Jets made at the draft.
First, and despite the misinformation floating around the Jets were absolutely certain they were taking Patrick Laine and fans saw a side of GM Kevin Cheveldayoff not previously revealed, a playful, mischievous one.
This was a ‘no-brainer’ decision and one that should help shape the franchise should all the predictions and prognostications come true. While things got interesting when Columbus bucked the rankings and took Pierre Luc Dubois with the third pick, the Jets also provided one of the first round head-scratching moments when they traded up from the 22nd pick to 18 giving Philadelphia a 2nd round pick and the 22nd for the 18th and a 3rd round pick.
Not an easy move for the Jets but very easy for the Flyers. The move was met with rather polarizing views on Twitter with many calling it bizarre and I even used the idea of it being akin to walking off a gangplank. It’s time to look at the move and see why that swap of position was controversial.
Logan Stanley’s final CSS NA skater rank was 19th overall and 7th for defence players. ISS had Stanley ranked 25th overall for all skaters and 7th for defence, this is including European skaters.
So in theory, The Jets could have grabbed him at the 22nd spot and saved a 2nd round pick while still not having a third rounder pick. Did they know something? Perhaps there were whispers that he might be getting picked and that’s what made the move urgent? We’ll likely never know but we can ask some other questions.
With the salary cap all but certain to be flat and the amount of teams looking for help, why not dangle that 22nd overall pick and second round pick for a player under contract who fits the LHD requirement? Again this could have happened but no deal to be made that was satisfactory.
However we do know that the Jets have said they are interested in adding an LHD, so they drafted one. That player, in this case Logan Stanley, may not be ready for NHL action for 3 years, perhaps more. Think of the draft this way; if you have need now how do you know it will be the same need in three years when your later picks are likely ready to play for the team?
There is obviously a depth balance that every organization needs to have with their prospects in regards to positions and the Jets are thin at LHD but is Stanley the answer now and beyond?
That’s where the real argument with his pick lies, and what it cost to get it. There are some doubts about his value now because it was established by paying to be assured to draft him. Before he has even played a game, Stanley is now looked at as a player who was worth trading up to get and adding more in a second round pick. The problem is amplified because Stanley has some skating qualities that could expose him on the ice when in the pros and can they be corrected? That’s for scouts and coaches to know and us to find out, but the risk with him is not unknown, thus the move to trade up a bit harder to understand for some. Thus, if no LHD can be found via free agency and the Jets are left with the same trio on the left side will fans be patient enough to wait for the hopeful arrival of Logan Stanley?
As for the other picks there seems to be a general sense of contentment with them and at first blush I can say I think there is some upside to Luke Green.
Cederholm
Stallard
Could not find anything on Berdin.
As for RFAs and UFAs the Jets have 3 to qualify and sign in Lowry, Trouba and Schiefele. The recent signing of Forsberg today should give Jets fans some inkling of where contract talks may lead with Scheifele but this one should be the first signed. There were more rumours about Trouba than you could imagine and Chevy basically fired the anti-aircraft artillery at any offer sheet. So hold your breath if you dare Jets fans as this is wait and see time.
What about Lowry, he will certainly be qualified and then what happens after that is anyone’s guess. I would assume there’s a role on the team for him but it might not be assured with the amount of youthful competition looking to break into the lineup. In some circles there are fans who would not be surprised, or unhappy, if Lowry were traded.
What about UFAs? There’s some smoke around Mathieu Perreault and an extension that could be announced any time after July 1. The crafty forward and possession darling has one year left on his three-year deal signed in summer 2014 and with his role on the Jets and value to the club a 4 year deal would be ideal if it were in the 3.75-4.25 million range.
Then there is the rumour that the Jets are showing interest in Islanders soon to be UFA Kyle Okposo. This one seems curious as the Jets already have a decent set of RW players in Wheeler, Stafford, and Ehlers, where would you fit in Okposo? Take a second to think about the roster and how it finished the season, would disrupting the Ehlers, Wheeler Scheifele line make sense? That’s two RW on one line so perhaps adding Okposo is not such a bad idea as Ehlers is a RW with a left shot.
The other variable is the of Laine and Connor could both make the team? It’s possible but the opinion about Connor was that he likely has to spend time in the AHL thus not affecting the roster too much. The other issue is Stafford is in the last year of a two-year deal and would it be too proactive of Chevy to look to for the future? It might not be, but rather uncharacteristic of him based on recent history. However look below it might give a hint of why the Jets are considering Okposo and why they are looking beyond Stafford.
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