The fun times of the World Cup of Hockey are somewhat over with Team North America dispersed back to locations across North America. Now it's serious business as traditional powers take over to play for the ugliest trophy in all of hockey.
That should not matter to Jets fans now as they come to see that the team has opened camp at the MTS IcePlex today. Oh it's good times for sure as hopes and optimism roll across the fans and some of the prospects but what is the reality for the Jets?
That's the challenging part about camp, we as observers are never sure what the coaches are hoping for in terms of outcome. We have an idea of what Paul Maurice wants from his players in terms of play, and structure but that is an evolving scenario based on the roster he is provided. Right now, he can do almost anything to create that roster- so what does he create?
Here's who is in camp:
It's an interesting spread of talent so let's take a look at how this likely will break down.
Group A
Goalies
Comrie will end up with the Moose but Phillips will likely head to the ECHL affiliate if his eligibility is done with Michigan which by being in camp certainly means it is.
Defense
Trouba needs a contract and now. Both sides must be feeling a little bit of heat with how long this has gone. I don't think it's a coincidence that he's in a group with Byfuglien who should be his likely defence partner. The other vet in that group is Myers and then the competition begins between Kostalek, Morrissey, Stanley, Wilson and Baker. Within that group the likely one to progress is Morrisey but it won't be easy. Think about that though, if Morrissey makes that big an impression that 4 defence from one group. Then things get very interesting, even more so if Trouba does indeed hold out.
Forwards
Again like the defence, this group presents what might be the strongest group of the three. Drew Stafford will be a lock as he enters the final year of his deal. After that it's likely only Little, Perreault and Laine are players who can breathe easy for spots and perhaps not that easy for Laine for obvious reasons. Look down the rest of that group and see what is an interesting mixture of now and the future. Petan, Burmistrov, Connor, Armia and Mathias are all players who could see time with the top club or in the minors. Out of that group who comes out to push for a spot?
Burmistrov must be feeling the heat within that group as guys looking to take his job are Connor, Mathias and Petan. While Armia plays the right side he too is a threat for the now not so young Russian. If push came to shove would Burmistrov be an asset that could be traded? If some players from camp make that push I think it's a very likely scenario.
If we were to make cuts from this group, and as the other two groups are dissected they will have cuts too, who moves on to the next round of competition as camp moves on?
Locks
Byfuglien, Myers, Trouba (when signed), Stafford, Perreault, Little, Laine
Likely
Mathias, Burmistrov, Armia, Connor, Morrissey, Kostalek, Petan
As you can see that's a roster of of 14 out of 18 skaters. This camp, for the Jets, is one that fans should see a tremendous amount of competition at simply because there is so little room for players to move. That becomes even truer if traditional roles are held in the same regard as past camps and seasons. The likes of Mathias, Morrissey Connor, Armia and Petan have to be better than their group-mates and present something more than stalwarts like Stuart, Thorburn, Chairot and Burmistrov do. That's the most intriguing part of this camp- how do the coaches determine what's better and how do they position those challenging players to perform?
It's been a bit of a slumber for awhile now but we're here on the edge of what could be the most significant training camp since the Thrashers moved to Winnipeg. It should be something to watch closely and learn from but that's up to the players challenging for jobs.
Enjoy the ride Jets fans, it should be fun.