The Winnipeg Jets got some good news away from the ice today as two players from the their 2013 draft were named to the opening 25 man WJHC roster. Josh Morrissey and Nic Petan were selected to come to camp and compete for the final roster. One key thing to note about Morrissey is that he was chosen ahead of much touted Oilers draftee Darnell Nurse, a player taken six spots before Morrissey.
Does it say anything about the Jets drafts picks? No, not so much as it relates to the NHL but it is where you want your top prospects playing, with the best. It worked out well with Mark Scheifele… never mind.
All that being said, there is no shortage of rumours and speculation revolving around the Jets. Today on 1040 in Vancouver, new host Bro Jake Edwards (a former Winnipeg DJ) mentioned that Giants Owner Ron Toigo (I would assume) told him Evander Kane really wants to play in Vancouver.
Steve Simmons wrote that the Jets are offering Byfuglien around the league for some reason few understand. Is defense the area the Jets are so deep where the loss of a top pairing defenseman would not hurt?
What’s clear is that probably all is not right with the team and the management group is taking action to see if things can be improved. I believe Bruce Garrioch even suggested that Jets management is not happy with how Noel has proceeded and last week even Darren Dreger dove into the speculation on his regular appearance during the Hustler and Lawless afternoon show.
Where here is smoke there is fire right?
One person in the Chicago area I have discussed Byfuglien with, and has ties to the player, has suggested any move is best made closer to the deadline with a better option to present to the big defensemen of possible destinations.
GMs do not like to move players with NTCs limited or not without the player’s input or consent into the process. I’m sure Chevy and company would take that approach with Buff. Kane I’m not so sure.
I’m a believer that Kane has to go east to maximize his value. The attack game and less constricted play in the east seem to favour some one like Kane but are there any significant options that would make sense for the Jets?
One could try and pry a prized prospect and pick out of Florida but what is there incentive for doing that? Kane is not a game changing player yet but he has that potential. What about Carolina? Would a Kane for Skinner deal work? Would it even make sense to swap the two left-wingers for a change of scenery? In the tighter, harder west would Skinner be the player we’ve seen? Matt Karash brought that idea to my attention and I wonder if that is one of the few hockey trades that could ‘make sense’?
What about the Canucks and sending Kane to his home town? They’d have to dump salary to make any deal happen and who would the Jets want? Burrows? It makes little sense to me for Burrows to play here at this stage in his career. Sure he’s a gritty and sometimes ridiculously frustrating player to line up against but is he an upgrade?
If salaries weren’t an obstacle, would trading Kane for Kassian and Horvat make sense? In essence Gillis would have parlayed Hodgson and Schneider into Kane- that might be a tough sell but the upside of putting his power game with Kesler or getting Henrik to feed him the puck may offset the optics but that’s a pipe dream and we all know it.
Oh yeah, there’s a game tonight
The Jets are in NYC tonight taking on the Rangers and the above-mentioned Kane is doubtful to play. In a move one could describe as puzzling if not downright shocking Chris Thorburn has been moved to the second line alongside of Jokinen and Setoguchi. John Albert has been called up from the St. John’s Ice Caps and is slated for 4th line duty between Wright and Peluso.
The Jets bottom six tonight looks like this:
Halischuk, Scheifele, Frolik Wright, Albert , Peluso
Be afraid, be very afraid.
One thing that should be noted is the Jets are seeing yet another back-up goalie tonight. Shows you how scared of Jets shooters the opposition is. As pointed out by Troy Westwood this morning the Jets need to score first. The Rangers are 1-12 if tailing first in a game this season. That’s the kind of action the Jets need and after that lackluster effort in Philadelphia they cannot afford not to show up until the second period.
The sad fact is though; more people right now are interested in the rumours with this team than the on ice product. Can you blame them though with a bottom six as show above what’s to be excited about?
Enjoy the game.