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Why the Hate for Logan Stanley?

May 29, 2017, 12:26 PM ET [24 Comments]
Peter Tessier
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The late first round pick of 2016, one that the Winnipeg Jets moved up in the draft to take, is a lightning rod of controversy among fans, blogger pundits and more. Since his Windsor Spitfires hosted the Memorial Cup all Jets have heard, mainly on social media, is how bad he is. This sentiment is also followed with his lack of skill, his projected ceiling limitations, and one hundred more criticisms of his size, ability and skill.

Just to point something out, a simple reminder, Logan Stanley did not ask to be drafted by the Jets at that position. He did not ask Chevy to trade up to get him, nor did he value himself in the same way the Jets did or even make a scouting report on himself.

Logan Stanley just played hockey.

I was not a fan of the pick when it happened. It seemed to aggressive for the hulking defence man and not the best use of the extra pick acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in the trade for Andrew Ladd. But again, is that Staney's fault?

The sad thing is Stanley has become a really big deal for Jets fans and that's very misguided. If the idea that he is the problem and thus a fair target for scorn it's time to think about your style of fandom.

What should be the topic and one that is heavily debated is the Jets drafting strategy. How the team arrived at that point to value Stanley in such a way that it felt necessary to move up to assure that he was picked by them. Looking back it seems an odd move for the team based on what they had done in previous drafts where they stood fast and drafted the BPA (best player available)in almost all situations, Scheifele excluded.

If one were to deconstruct the Jets drafting process in the six years they have been drafting what would be found? That's where I arrive at when looking at Stanley- where did the need to acquire him come from?

The move was a different one, but again is it that different than past moves?

In 2011 with Sean Couturier's stock dropping the Jets chose Scheifele over him, surprising but it all seems to have worked out.

In 2012 Trouba had fallen to the Jets as they had him ranked as high as 4th overall. Forsburg was there as was Terravainnen but the Jets took Trouba not a huge shock but not what many believed to be the right move.

A the 2013 draft the Jets had the 13th pick and took Josh Morrissey a player many had pegged around 20th. Again though, it seems to have worked out okay.

2014 and 2015 had nothing out of the ordinary when it came to Jets moves and then the next odd move was drafting Stanley. Clearly, based on history this kind of move is in the Jets wheelhouse when they see a player they want. So far it's worked out alright. Perhaps the time frame for Stanley is longer than the others but that does not mean he is a bust and deserves the scorn.

Focus that energy and attack on the team, it's scouts and management. It's there job to make Stanley into an NHL player and if that can't happen there's more reason to be critical and that should happen. Nothing said here changes the probability of Stanley becoming an NHL player, that's now on him but hoping for the best seems to be a better use of energy when looking at him.

There's room for criticism but putting it all on Stanley for who and what he is seems misguided and rather unfair.
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