30-in-30 the Top 4
In continuation of the series of 30 thing about the Jets in 30 days, the top 4 of the defence is profiled next. Enstrom, Trouba, Myers, Byfuglien are the best four players of the Jets’ rear guards and can be deployed in any measure. The challenge is that one has to play an off-side based on their shooting preference.
Enstrom Trouba Byfuglien Myers
Byfuglien Trouba Enstrom Myers
Myers Trouba Enstrom Byfgulien
Almost any way head coach Paul Maurice wants to pair the group leads to a capable and difficult group to play against. At least that’s what many want to believe, but for those like myself who are a bit skeptical by nature there is a question…Tyler Myers.
Myers is believed(by some) to be simply a one-for-one swap with Zach Bogosian as an additional part of the Evander Kane. The debate is whether Myers actually increased the value of the return for Kane by being a superior player to Bogosian.
With less than a full season as a Jet it was hard to measure but there are some statistical things to take note. Before that the most intriguing difference between Bogosian and Myers was the latter’s prowess in the offensive zone, either carrying the puck or stepping in to join the rush or attack. Certainly by eye-test Myers impressed in that capacity compared to Bogosian where the latter seemed gain centre ice with speed and become lost once inside the opposition blue line. ‘Lost’ is a relative term as in this case it means that Bogosian had trouble figuring out what to do once he hit the offensive zone.
Bogosian
Myers
Bogosian
Myers
Now when we look at the great tables that Mimico Hero produces we can see that between three seasons of 2013-15 the two are rather similar when averaged out. So the question becomes based around the ‘change of scenery’ premise. Does Myers go back closer to his Calder self with the Jets or is he staying the course of logging minutes but not over benefitting his team?
As seen yesterday the Jets have a plethora of 5-7 defensemen with 1 or 2 being able to do top 4 duty in a pinch, perhaps longer. The challenge for Maurice and thus GM Kevin Cheveldayoff is ensuring that top 4 is a dynamic group that can log minutes and get the puck going in the right direction. Within that top 4 group there are two players 30 or older in Engstrom and Byfuglien and two who are 25 or younger in Myers and Trouba. At some point the tipping point of age becomes a factor and with the contract status of Byfuglien is he the first person/thing to tip?
While debating the merits of trading Buff is not hard to do, this is not the time. The concern for the Jets is icing the best six defenders and the biggest variables exist in the bottom paring. Injuries of course play as big a role as talent but they are not controlled variable- playing the best talent is. For the Jets the success of their defence may revolve around Tyler Myers and not Dustin Byfuglien as many would want to suggest. If Myers can improve his game so that his play impacts his line mates in a more positive manner, that being better possession numbers, the odds could be in the Jets favour.
It’s not all about Myers but within that top 4 group, however he is the biggest variable that will affect the overall presence and success this group.