John Jaeckel: CENTRAL ISSUES: Winnipeg Jets Quick Look

Not gonna say it.

Jets last in the Central, or is this series not necessarily coming in reverse order of preicted finish?

Kyle Beach eh? Good on him if it's true. Time will tell.

John Jaeckel: CENTRAL ISSUES: Winnipeg Jets Quick Look
- John Jaeckel

Also, look for none other than the enigmatic Kyle Beach to make a real push for a job in Chicago this fall. Beach has apparently been working very hard this summer on his skating and at various camps, the latest in Sweden, to get ready for the season—likely his last real shot with the Blackhawk organization.

From his Twitter account, it looks like hes been hanging out with Nordstrom.

When Beach is focused and has his head in the game, he really looks like a real NHL player. Hopefully he can finally dig his head out of his ass.

Not gonna say it.

Jets last in the Central, or is this series not necessarily coming in reverse order of preicted finish?

Kyle Beach eh? Good on him if it's true. Time will tell.
- Ogilthorpe2

Hello Ogie!

Not gonna say it.

Jets last in the Central, or is this series not necessarily coming in reverse order of preicted finish?

Kyle Beach eh? Good on him if it's true. Time will tell.
- Ogilthorpe2

I think that spot is reserved for Nashville if Rinne isnt ready by the time the season starts, as of yesterday he still hasnt been able to skate since surgery.

Avs could easily be too if Varly and the D Core dont gel under Patty Roy

Hello Ogie!
- EKolb13

Good evening Eli

Also, look for none other than the enigmatic Kyle Beach to make a real push for a job in Chicago this fall. Beach has apparently been working very hard this summer on his skating and at various camps, the latest in Sweden, to get ready for the season—likely his last real shot with the Blackhawk organization.

From his Twitter account, it looks like hes been hanging out with Nordstrom.

When Beach is focused and has his head in the game, he really looks like a real NHL player. Hopefully he can finally dig his head out of his ass.
- EKolb13

Wouldn't that be something? Fingers crossed, but not holding my breath.

Wouldn't that be something? Fingers crossed, but not holding my breath.
- Ogilthorpe2

Agreed.

I think that spot is reserved for Nashville if Rinne isnt ready by the time the season starts, as of yesterday he still hasnt been able to skate since surgery.

Avs could easily be too if Varly and the D Core dont gel under Patty Roy
- DDM-Coga

Winnipeg moving from the South East to the central is going to be a shock to the system. And Pavelec isn't taking any team anywhere

I think that spot is reserved for Nashville if Rinne isnt ready by the time the season starts, as of yesterday he still hasnt been able to skate since surgery.

Avs could easily be too if Varly and the D Core dont gel under Patty Roy
- DDM-Coga

The Av's could end up like being just like recent Vancouver teams if they don't get some serious upgrades to their D core. Top 6 looks scary good, but quality forward depth and D looks suspect. Stastny for a top 4 D man?

Winnipeg moving from the South East to the central is going to be a shock to the system. And Pavelec isn't taking any team anywhere
- rollpards19

It could also be a positive move as well, no longer are they doing 3 hour time shift swings for home and away series, dont have to have those ridiculous long road trips. Tougher division but easier travel schedule, will be interesting to see

The Av's could end up like being just like recent Vancouver teams if they don't get some serious upgrades to their D core. Top 6 looks scary good, but quality forward depth and D looks suspect. Stastny for a top 4 D man?
- Ogilthorpe2

Thats what I eventually hope for. Tough market for him right now. Wait till after the olympics when he becomes a better commodity after padding the stats a bit. The perfect second line center depth move for any playoff team

With Detroit and Columbus (on the way up) moving East, the Blackhawks find themselves surrounded by some weak competition.

Dallas, Colorado and Winnipeg will be out of playoff contention by mid-year, and will race toward the bottom of the league, dumping vets and stockpiling picks.

In the West, only Calgary has a chance to upstage this motley trio.

With Detroit and Columbus (on the way up) moving East, the Blackhawks find themselves surrounded by some weak competition.

Dallas, Colorado and Winnipeg will be out of playoff contention by mid-year, and will race toward the bottom of the league, dumping vets and stockpiling picks.

In the West, only Calgary has a chance to upstage this motley trio.
- scottak

The Avs are a gamble this season, we did some really good moves by subtracting our worst players in Jones, O'Brien, O'Bryne, Zanon, and Hunwick. Adding Tanguay, MacKinnon and having downie back upgraded our forward ranks.

The real question mark is D and Goalie, but we got rid of Sacco and his terrible coaching system and finally got a passionate coach and hired a D and Goalie coach for the first time in a decade. New coaching could really improve what we have or just confirm what we already have for a back end.

And will it matter much in what should prove to be a very competitive Central Division.

I think it will be a very competitive division... but in a weird way. I think Blues and Blackhawks will be very competitive for winning the division, and everyone else will be very competitive for that third spot, but I think there will be a size-able gap in between the two.

I think it will be a very competitive division... but in a weird way. I think Blues and Blackhawks will be very competitive for winning the division, and everyone else will be very competitive for that third spot, but I think there will be a size-able gap in between the two.
- Antilles

What is it again - top 3 teams in each division and then 2 wild cards?

What is it again - top 3 teams in each division and then 2 wild cards?
- StLBravesFan

Yes.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=660138

I think it will be a very competitive division... but in a weird way. I think Blues and Blackhawks will be very competitive for winning the division, and everyone else will be very competitive for that third spot, but I think there will be a size-able gap in between the two.
- Antilles

Agree with this. In a few years this may very well be the strongest division in hockey. Colorado and Nashville have some studs coming, but right now the depth of the division isn't great. For me the wildcard is Dallas. They came pretty close last and have a young team. If Lehtonen can stay healthy and Benn and Seguin mesh to be elite scorers, they could overtake Minnesota

'Quick look' is right. A tiny bit of research and you would know that Buff has been working with two personal trainers and has got himself in better shape. He is trying to make the USA Olympic team and is also apparently impressed with the direction the Jets are headed with the roster moves they have made. Signing all their key RFA's, letting dead weight UFA's go and showing a commitment from ownership to building a winner has got Buff a level of motivation that was sorely lacking in Atlanta.

Are they ready to compete for a division title? No (frank)in way at this point, but the future looks good for these guys!

Agree with this. In a few years this may very well be the strongest division in hockey. Colorado and Nashville have some studs coming, but right now the depth of the division isn't great. For me the wildcard is Dallas. They came pretty close last and have a young team. If Lehtonen can stay healthy and Benn and Seguin mesh to be elite scorers, they could overtake Minnesota
- rollpards19

Yup.

1) Chicago
2) St. Louis
3) Dallas
4) Minnesota
5) Winnipeg
6) Nashville
7) Colorado

Yup.

1) Chicago
2) St. Louis
3) Dallas
4) Minnesota
5) Winnipeg
6) Nashville
7) Colorado
- Ogilthorpe2

Problem with this is that Chicago may not be playing good hockey until about December or January - very short summer, healing injuries, need to replace Bolland, Frolik, Stalberg with (presumably) Ice Hogs - then possibly half the roster playing in Sochi for three weeks - and if they fall behind by 8-10 points by January, with all of the three point games, it's hard to catch up, plus selectively healthy scratching important players like Hossa, Handzus, Roszival, (Toews?)....

I can certainly them finishing second in the division - not really lower, but second.

@JayZawaski670: Oh God. CANCEL THE OLYMPICS!! "@markhmasters: Toews wipes out during ball-hockey drill; as he gets to his feet Babcock shouts, 'Go slow!'

@JayZawaski670: Oh God. CANCEL THE OLYMPICS!! "@markhmasters: Toews wipes out during ball-hockey drill; as he gets to his feet Babcock shouts, 'Go slow!'


- jhawk159

(frank) the Olympics.

(frank) the Olympics.
- Ogilthorpe2

Agreed!

I think that spot is reserved for Nashville if Rinne isnt ready by the time the season starts, as of yesterday he still hasnt been able to skate since surgery.

Avs could easily be too if Varly and the D Core dont gel under Patty Roy
- DDM-Coga

I think the jets have improved just enough to sit 16 or 17th in the nhl. The avs might be another story. I see a breakout year for this young team, similar to what I believe might be happening in edmonton. Regardless, its going to be an exciting year!