With the conclusion of the Winnipeg Jets post season there remains some questions, concerns, and for some a few hard realities about how the season ended and what lies ahead in the future. The Jets concluded their exit interviews and locker clear out yesterday along with the last of their media availability and with that some telling comments.
First Andrew Copp was not pleased with being healthy scratch for game five. As Copp said, ‘it stung’ and ‘it’ll sit with me for a while, I don’t know when that will go away’. Not a good feeling to leave the team on but that was more than anyone got from Toby Enstrom. The defenseman who will be a UFA on July 1st had already flown the coop by yesterday was also upset with being a healthy scratch for game five. Enstrom allegedly made his displeasure known to head coach Paul Maurice and one has to wonder if this is the end of the Enstrom era in Winnipeg. Considering the favour Enstrom did for the team last June by waiving his NTC for the expansion draft it seems hard to see it end this way. That being said the coach’s decision in a game is far different from what the GM asks in the off-season but some will see the two as inter-linked. They aren’t.
There is more concerning Maurice and the way the playoffs ended, as some unconfirmed information begins to trickle out. While no one seems to want confirm what conversations were had and what was said in them there’s enough murmuring to think something ‘might’ be up. More than just Enstrom and Copp expressed displeasure or dismay at some of the final moves done during the playoffs. The specifics are unknown but it is believed there are opinions of Paul Maurice’s decisions that have been challenged and directly to him. Take that with a grain of salt, or perhaps a tablespoon.
For GM Kevin Cheveldayoff the work with the draft and contracts begins and perhaps with a few wrinkles he did not plan on when the season began. These are good problems but problems nonetheless.
Paul Stastny
His play was a catalyst for the buddy duo of Ehlers and Laine and he seemed to solve the problem of Bryan Little not quite fitting in with the two. Laine only made the Jets deeper and better because of his presence but at his age how much longer does his effectiveness last?
Can Chevy work his magic and find that sweet spot deal of around 4-4.5 million over two years like he did for Jokinen and Stafford and duplicated again with Mason? That seems to be the only cap-logical way to fit in the sturdy centre.
2. Connor Hellebuyck
The player who suggested the Jets could be a dynasty in the coming years during his post season availability is due for a new deal. Last off season Hellebuyck bet on himself by taking a one year deal after filing for arbitration. To increase his odds he hired a new coach and worked all off season in Kelowna to improve his game. His improvement was a large part of the Jets success and it’s hard to believe he will not want anything less than six year and probably around 6 million per year. It seems fair but Hellebuyck has one solid season and finished the Western Conference series with .900 save percentage and at even strength .896. While his regular season was amazing his finish was tough and that should not go unnoticed.
3. Toby Enstrom
Given the way the series finished it would be hard to see Enstrom coming back and not without a significant discount. Criticized for his size and durability Enstrom has early been the best defenseman in the history of the Thrashers/Jets and his loss should not be taken lightly. While Sami Niku seems ready to take the next step he’s got a long way to go before he matches Enstrom’s effectiveness.
4. Hendricks and Matthias
Both veterans filled their role with grace but not with the effectiveness needed to keep the depth of the Jets roster a formidable force. While Hendricks experience seems valuable to the team he loses much of his value once he’s on the ice. Those are facts and while you might not meet a nicer guy he has to be seen as expendable. Matthias too will be expendable as he was actively being shopped throughout the season by the Jets.
5. Lowry, Dano, Tanev and Armia
The four RFA forwards all had a role with the Jets this season in various capacities but it would appear Dano’s time with the team will come to an end as he only played in 23 game this past season down from 38 the year before. As an RFA the Jets can choose not to qualify him but it seems like a loss given his underlying numbers. Lowry will certainly get a raise as he became a key cog in a shutdown role and with guiding the Jets heaving lifting line with Copp and Tanev. A coach favourite, Lowry’s deal will be interesting to watch for value and term.
Branden Tanev came on during the season and actually started scoring goals, with a hat trick and almost another in the post season. He doubled his point total from the previous year and learned to use his speed far more effectively as part of the formidable TLC line. A raise sure but will he be taking less so other more established names get more? Joel Armia, one of the pieces from the Kane and Bogosian trade is also due for a new deal and given his effectiveness at times does he command much more than his 925,000? He played in 79 games with 12 goals and 17 assists but is he a longterm player? Like Tanev his term and number will be interesting and like Lowry given how he was used for his size.
6. Poolman, Morrissey, Trouba and Morrow
Tucker Poolman left UND last year and signed a one year contract leaving him as an RFA due to age. He was a somewhat expected ‘solid player’ for the Jets this season after starting with the Moose. He had a steep learning curve and at times was trying to adjust to the pace of the professional game. He’s earned a raise and perhaps some term and he should be in the Jets’ longterm plans. Josh Morrissey could be seen as 1b on the important contracts that Chevy has to sign while Trouba after his brief 2016 holdout is 1a. These two players are and will be the cornerstone of the Jets defense, hopefully for year to come. Joe Morrow remains an unknown after being acquired at the trade deadline. A decent depth signing, Morrow delivered when needed for the Jets down the stretch and filled the holes of Kulikov’s and Enstrom’s injuries.
With that the Jets enter an offseason where they have no expansion draft to prepare for and also no first round pick in the upcoming entry draft. This is not such a big deal as it is telling that the organization with its depth in prospects can afford to give up a first round pick. There still could be moves to be made that are to help the impending salary cap crunch. There is talk around the internet of moving Myers and perhaps another player. There is also the possibility that both Patrik Laine and Blake Wheeler are given new deals as they become eligible after July 1st to be extended off their existing deals. It would see Laine to be the most likely as Wheeler at his age after his this deal will be a tricky contract to value and at what term.
Yes the Jets had a season that had them close to winning the President’s trophy and getting to the Western Conference final and there is no reason to think they can’t get back. It will take work and if there is to be a legacy of continued success much depends n Kevin Cheveldayoff this off season. But again these are good problems and while it may seem like a long time in seven seasons to get to this point, the Jets are structured to stay here if they continue to make smart moves and get a bit of luck. Just ask Vegas how that feels.