Peter Tessier: Jets Grades- 3rd and 4th lines Taking a look at the players who finished off the season in bottom 6.

You know, after five years of Chevy at the helm of the Jets my opinion has changed on him, even from last year. Originally I thought he was a pretty intelligent GM, now, I don't feel that way.

The team he took over in 2011 was a bottom ten team, they haven't really improved much, other than last years team, and now they're back at the bottom again, having finished sixth last.

When is it gonna be time to hold Chevy accountable for the team's failure to progress?

You know, after five years of Chevy at the helm of the Jets my opinion has changed on him, even from last year. Originally I thought he was a pretty intelligent GM, now, I don't feel that way.

The team he took over in 2011 was a bottom ten team, they haven't really improved much, other than last years team, and now they're back at the bottom again, having finished sixth last.

When is it gonna be time to hold Chevy accountable for the team's failure to progress?
- LeftCoaster

There are a lot of jets fans who feel this way and really wonder what is the actual direction of this team.

I'm not one of those fans. I believe this whole 5 year judgement is ridiculous. Atlanta sucked!! and had nothing in the pipeline!! Also drafting players like Kane, Bogo and Burmistrov were not exactly the type of players you build around. It would be unfair to judge Chevy now, he has built up our depth and we have to let these kids grow up a bit before we decide he failed us. We are miles, I'll repeat miles ahead of where we were five years ago, no matter what the standings or results say to this point.

I'm not one of those fans. I believe this whole 5 year judgement is ridiculous. Atlanta sucked!! and had nothing in the pipeline!! Also drafting players like Kane, Bogo and Burmistrov were not exactly the type of players you build around. It would be unfair to judge Chevy now, he has built up our depth and we have to let these kids grow up a bit before we decide he failed us. We are miles, I'll repeat miles ahead of where we were five years ago, no matter what the standings or results say to this point.
- Ross77

I completely agree. Chevy being hired as GM didn't seem like a good choice, he's grown on my and I think he's drafted well, made some great trades and has the cupboards stocked full in 5 years. Look at Toronto, they've been horrible now for years. They've made the playoffs once over the last 11 season, and they didn't deserve to qualify the one year that they did. The leafs really don't have a lot of prospects that they can plan the future around.
it might take another year or two but this team is going to be alright. Personally I think we need to make a decision on goaltending moving forward. Pavelec needs to be traded or bought out, its time to give the younger players a chance. He's certainly not the only problem player on the team but they have to start by shoring up their goaltending. another season of the trainwreck that we know as Pavelec will prove the same results. let Helly and Hutch play more.
Peter, can you comment on what you see playing out in net this year? any chance the jets cut Pavelec loose?

So I'm hearing Trouba's name linked to LA, for obvious reasons and I'm sure other teams as well, but to get a Jets fans point of view would anyone consider this trade scenario.... Gaborik(50% retained), Pearson, and kempe(arguably Kings top forward prospect) for Trouba? I know this will more than likely not happen but I guess anything is possible.

So I'm hearing Trouba's name linked to LA, for obvious reasons and I'm sure other teams as well, but to get a Jets fans point of view would anyone consider this trade scenario.... Gaborik(50% retained), Pearson, and kempe(arguably Kings top forward prospect) for Trouba? I know this will more than likely not happen but I guess anything is possible.
- KINGS67

Trouba would be a nice fit in LA for sure, I personally don't want to see him leave though.

Honestly though, Gaborik would not fit in winnipeg at all. regardless if la retained 50%, gaborik has a history of injury, he hasn't played in a full season in 82 games. he isn't putting up points like he once did.
Pearson would be a great player to pick up. If my memory serves me correctly Scheif and tanner played together in Barrie. But, the jets are set at Left wing right now and I don't see Pearson really getting a chance in winnipeg.
Kempe would also be a great pickup. He would be lower on the depth chart though on LW. I don't see Chevy continuing to stock the shelves on wing.

What the jets would be looking for from LA to trade Trouba would be a left handed dman who is nhl ready and on an elc. possibly packaged with a 1st round pick and a prospect. Yes I'm well aware of what I'm valuing trouba at but they won't let him go for virtually nothing especially if its not in their are of need. Teams would be willing to pay for potential with Trouba. I still believe that he will be a star

Trouba would be a nice fit in LA for sure, I personally don't want to see him leave though.

Honestly though, Gaborik would not fit in winnipeg at all. regardless if la retained 50%, gaborik has a history of injury, he hasn't played in a full season in 82 games. he isn't putting up points like he once did.
Pearson would be a great player to pick up. If my memory serves me correctly Scheif and tanner played together in Barrie. But, the jets are set at Left wing right now and I don't see Pearson really getting a chance in winnipeg.
Kempe would also be a great pickup. He would be lower on the depth chart though on LW. I don't see Chevy continuing to stock the shelves on wing.

What the jets would be looking for from LA to trade Trouba would be a left handed dman who is nhl ready and on an elc. possibly packaged with a 1st round pick and a prospect. Yes I'm well aware of what I'm valuing trouba at but they won't let him go for virtually nothing especially if its not in their are of need. Teams would be willing to pay for potential with Trouba. I still believe that he will be a star
- JetsAvs

Gotcha... Forbort and Kempe(Kings don't have a 1st)would then be the main pieces if that's what it would take. And a roster player who I think would be pearson but I guess he is t a need for jets.

Yeah, if I were a jets fan I wouldn't want him gone either but as a Kings fan, man would I love to see that guy down here.

So I'm hearing Trouba's name linked to LA, for obvious reasons and I'm sure other teams as well, but to get a Jets fans point of view would anyone consider this trade scenario.... Gaborik(50% retained), Pearson, and kempe(arguably Kings top forward prospect) for Trouba? I know this will more than likely not happen but I guess anything is possible.
- KINGS67

your trade ideas are fair but like the other Jet fan pointed out we are pretty good with young prospects at left wing. I'm not sure Trouba will be availble but his contract demands could change that quick. I still think a Trouba / Hamonic deal might be worked out this summer. I know Hamonic is also right handed but he instantly becomes our best defensive D and we need that mix back there.

We are all learning what it takes to build a winner - and it doesn't happen overnight

Chevy got a roster from Atlanta that had some upside but also needed to be worked over ... as far as the prospect pool - he got bare cupboards ... nada

Jets are following a blueprint of successful NHL teams - most often called "draft n develop"

The bottom 6 forwards currently for Jets is the sh_ts ... bad news and right up there with straightening out our goalie situation

In the cap era we need to be cycling in a mixture of producing young guns on entry level contracts and maybe some inexpensive solid journeymen (a la Stempniak)

Of course, another way to populate bottom 6 is pressure from top 6 ... adding a Mathews/Laine/top lottery pick could pan out ... adding a Connor if he produces - - starts to relegate decent players downward

This may take awhile

I believe we still need one of Thorbs or Peluso ... obvious reasons ... then we shed the likes of Burmi and Halischuk ... Burmi has had plenty of chances - Halishuk has passed his 'best before date'

Armia/Lowry/Petan/Copp still need time - young guys ... Lowry stays as with the roster - we may have to cycle the other up and down

Not impressed with Chevy and his scouts??? really?

Google Atlanta Thrasher 1st round picks (Jim Slater being one of the good ones!!).

Patrice Cormier best prospect when they arrived in Winnipeg. Chevy has done a great job. Buffalo trade is good and if Lemieux is a player then the trade moves to robbery......Chevy only GM to get a 1st rd pick at the trade deadline this year. So we are stocked with prospects, with 2 first rd picks this year. All good news.

As for Gaborik...no thanks! he misses 20+ games a year with "injuries"..although lots of chatter about why he is missing games!

There are a lot of jets fans who feel this way and really wonder what is the actual direction of this team.
- Peter.Tessier

I used to be one of those fans. I think to build a good team, you have to be able to draft exceptional players, make good trades and sign good free agents. The Jets have drafted well as for trades and free agents, I am still on the fence. For one Perrault signed, we have also signed guys like Jokinen, Ponikarovsky, Wellwood and the like. And, who knows if the Kane, Bogosian trade would have happened if Byfuglien had not thrown Kane's tracksuit in the shower; or, the Ladd deal if he were not going to be a UFA. One intangible that has existed is that Chevy has been forced into trades and not necessarily seeking them out. Add to the fact that Chevy signed Enstrom and Pavelec to monster extensions, you have wonder about talent evaluation.

True North's scouts have done a masterful job of stocking the cupboards. I remember Chipman saying that he was allocating big money to scouting. Drafting is a team affair not just one man.

Just some things to consider.....

To TheUltimateJet
Pav's extension made sense at the time as he looked like he was gonna be a keeper. Hindsight. The Enstrom deal still makes total sense. He's the second best defenceman on the team with the second highest cap hit.

You know, after five years of Chevy at the helm of the Jets my opinion has changed on him, even from last year. Originally I thought he was a pretty intelligent GM, now, I don't feel that way.

The team he took over in 2011 was a bottom ten team, they haven't really improved much, other than last years team, and now they're back at the bottom again, having finished sixth last.

When is it gonna be time to hold Chevy accountable for the team's failure to progress?

I think he has done pretty well when compared to most GMs and the team he has to work with. Don't forget he has the added disadvantage of few players wanting to play in the Peg. (Which is foolish, but a fact). They also play in the toughest Division where each team has at least two dominant offensive stars. The Jets have none to date.

He has drafted well but time is required for that to prove rewarding but indications seem to be positive. I think the draft and develop from within is the way to go but time is needed. Look how many years it has taken for any organization to win the cup. I think he has held his own as a gm in the league to date. Going into last season the Jets were picked by many to slip and so I wasn't surprised. I feel though that they have made the most of this by playing many of their young prospects and allowing both the team and player to see where they stand to some degree.