There was some question amongst fans about the status of Jacob Trouba after the Anaheim game before the all-star break, there were whispers that he might be injured. Today Jets fans learned the full truth- the player is out for an estimated 6-8 weeks with a lower body injury believed to be with his ankle.
With Mark Scheifele recuperating and now past 30 days on IR losing a player of Trouba's calibre could not have come at a worse time for the still flying Jets.
Or could it.
The Jets will host the Lighting this week starting an 11 game home stand through the month of February an anomaly in the schedule like no other really. Being at home in the cozy confines of the Bell MTS Centre will likely be a far more favourable atmosphere than any short or extended road trips under this scenario.
Once the new broke the usual patterns of speculation on who the Jets could acquire to fill the hole of Trouba came quickly. Mike Greene from Detroit, Tanev from Vancouver or another like Del Zotto or Gudbrandson. There are more options/ideas but before the speculation runs wild with 28 days until the trade deadline hits it's best to remember the traditional process of the Jets GM, don't panic.
What happens now is Ben Chiarot will slide into the bottom group alongside Dmytri Kulikov and Dustin Byfuglien will move up and take Trouba's minutes with Morrissey. Myers will stay with Enstrom and problem solved for the time being.
Certainly Paul Maurice will make some tactical adjustments but they will not have to be severe by any stretch and given the Buff has wanted more minutes he will likely get them but still in a managed way. Look back and the Scheifele injury and how the Jets managed the hole, they moved to fill it from within and had the depth to do so. This scenario is no different and the Jets have a situation with their defence where they have three players on the right side who can all play in a 1-2 spot so losing one is not a calamity.
Would Chevy go shopping as the deadline nears? Seeing as Trouba is listed as 8 weeks out I don't think he deviates from what is believed to be his current shopping list a depth centre and additional defence man, both with playoff experience. Trouba's injury might put a bit more urgency on the GM but not too much, that's simply not how he reacts. He also is in a spot where he does not have to react just yet. The 'wait and see' process will be alive and well as there exactly four weeks to measure what this team needs and almost all of that time is played on home ice.
There's no need for Jets fans to panic, until it's time to panic. Even so, there's time to take preventative action if problems arise but should they arise the Jets with cap room and assets are in a great position to deal with them.