While the Bryan Little contract is a hot topic that will be reviewed in the #jetsconvo results piece. If you want to take part here's the tweet, use the hashtag #jetsonvo in any reply please.
A bit late today for #jetsconvo so here's the question: will Little's contract be a burden after year 3? Why? Why not?
— Pete Tessier (@Teddier) September 15, 2017
Reply with hashtag
The other topic worth considering now that training camp is officially underway is where Kyle Connor plays. This question is based upon the NHL network roster that has been discussed here and across media channels. Many people feel that Connor should start on the second line instead of Perreault.
Is this a wise move?
The logic would be that because Connor is a skilled player he should play with other skilled players and feed him the puck while supporting the young player. That's a fair and cautious position to take given his start to the season last year. Swapping him with Perreault, based on the proposed forwards roster from the NHL network, would make the lines look like this:
Ehlers Scheifele Laine Connor Little Wheeler Perreault Petan Armia
There's merit to this alignment as Connor would have the benefit of the play of Little and Wheeler while Perreault could support Petan and Armia. The concern of a Connor Petan Armia line is that while skilled there is still lots to learn and could Maurice be patient with the learning curve given the pressure to win and be a playoff contending team. Most fans would suggest that was last year's M.O. and this year the team should be aligned to win every night and not as a development process.
Consider that Laine is dropped to the second line and the alignment looks like this:
Ehlers Scheifele Wheeler Connor Little Laine Perreault Petan Armia
There's a lot of pressure on Little now to help manage the rookie and sophomore on that second line and is that something Paul Maurice would do?
When considering these combination two factors that have to be taken into account is how Paul Maurice might act and how he has in the past. While stats, metrics and beliefs may suggest that the Connor should have a bigger role due to the nature of his skill and game should that not be earned and is that how Maurice has done things in the past?
The counterpoint to the above is that both Ehlers and Laine were given pretty plum spots in their rookie seasons and allowed to make mistakes while in those higher lines. That being said they have both earned their roles through that time and Maurice has shown patience with their mistakes.
One variable that has not been considered is the appreciation for Lowry from the coaching staff. While many fans are happy to see Lowry on the 4th line in the NHL network graphic is that likely? If there is no adjustment to Connor's position within the line would it not make sense for the coaches to move Lowry up and Petan down?
Lowry does not have the skill of Petan. They are different players but there is a trust and comfort level with Lowry that exists with Maurice. Perhaps he would be seen as a stablizer between the Connor and Petan?
The challenge though is not solved and that is how best to maximize Connor's skill while fitting him into the roster. The simple fact remains that much this issue has to do with Connor himself. He does not play in a vacuum either and has to learn how to play with line mates, and many different ones. Furthermore he has to play within the system and tactics of the team as well with those different line mates and that is on him, not the coaches to put Connor with the best players for him. He made need to be sheltered at times, he may need support but an entire line should not be built around compensating for the developing skill set of a rookie.
Certainly the coaching staff needs to put all players in a position to succeed as the team succeeds when the players find success but it can't come at a bigger cost, at least not anymore for the Jets. Winning is the key and if Connor does not present as worthy of a second line role he most likely won't get that position based on what 'could be best' for him.
The other aspect to the Kyle Connor discussion is that the Jets could be moving away from a checking/grit line role on the third and Connor's skill would be a huge boon to making the third line dangerous as a scoring unit. All this is a moot point until he makes the starting opening night roster on the Jets. Once he's done that then there's going to be some points to watch the game and the data to look at how best to fit him in and whether the coaching staff sees that, or not.