The draft came and went and then so did free agency and while the Jets did not take centre stage they managed to make some action that may have a bigger payoff. The basic fact about UFA period is that you can make a mistake real fast and it takes a long time correct it.
Chevy was not first out of the gate and nor did he serisouly court any big names although there were overtures to Stastny, Grabovski and perhaps a few others. What he did do was spend his money wisely and seized the opportunity that was presented: that being Mathieu Perreault.
When the Ducks did not qualify the player, the Jets jumped into action and made a strong pitch. Ultimately the two parties agree on 3 years at 3 million dollars per year. It’s a fair deal with a hefty raise for the newest Jet but one that is not out of line. In fact it may have been the smartest signing of the day by any team or GM.
So what does Perreault give the Jets? A depth in the centre position they have not had since perhaps their first season, one that had Little, Antropov, Wellwood, Burmistrov and Slater fill that role. More importantly Perreault is a guy who mimics a bit of Michael Frolik in that he is not afraid of going to get the puck and doing some hard work.
When looking a bit deeper this is a player who has had some luck on his side as his PDO seems to average to the high side. Also, he has had favourable zone starts and did not face the toughest competition under Bruce Boudreau. It was the same in Washington when he was a Capital for two seasons, sheltered starts and opposition.
So what makes him special or an upgrade to what the Jets have or had?
Well first and foremost- take a look at former Jet and now Predator Ollie Jokinen. Perreault has stronger possession numbers than Jokinen and actually looks to be more similar to Burmistrov in his final season with the Jets. If you want to know where all this is coming from please visit Extra Skater. Where this all gets interesting is when you compare last season- Jokinen started taking tougher minutes and being used far differently due to depth of the organization. With no Wellwood or Burmistrov to use it was Jokinen left to take tougher minutes while Mark Scheifele was sheltered a bit in his rookie season.
Where this leads to is we might be seeing a metamorphosis of the 3rd line under Paul Maurice, from a mix of grinder/energy line to one of scoring and counter attack. It was later revealed that Maurice had called and spoke with Perreault prior to the signing and explaining to the young centre how he would be used. What that usage will be is still to be determined but let’s assume that he gives the Jets some options they did not have last year. He can slide up to the second line and skate, something Jokinen was having difficulty sustaining over the course of 82 games. Perreault also gives the Jets some options on the PP as he could slide up to second unit with Scheifele when Buff drops back to play the point.
The interesting part of all this is when you consider three other comments that were revealed yesterday. The first that Chevy would like to get another top 6 forward and that he has some irons in the fire on the trade front. If Chevy does want another forward, why?
Ladd, Little and Frolik
Kane Scheifele and Wheeler
???? Perreault and Byfuglien
Tangradi, Slater, Thorburn Peluso
What if Frolik is moved down to RW with Perreault, a guy who provides the strong possession skill and defensive awareness for a third line. Wheeler could be reunited and with his former mates in Ladd and Little and perhaps Byfuglien moved up, or not. Can you see where the hole is? It’s not just the left side with Perreault.
By admitting that a top 6 forward is desired Chevy is showing that his third line is not longer a mish mash of also-rans but will be scoring and possession threat. This is good. How that player is acquired is where the speculation around trades and the aforementioned ‘irons in the fire’ comes in. Unless there is a value signing for some one like David Booth I see pieces leaving the Jets to get that player.
There were three things of note though and the third was that Perreault mentioned that Maurice said he would see time with Evander Kane. Whether that be with a beefed up 2nd unit PP or in other usage is to be seen but what about the possibility of pieces leaving?
After Kane’s latest social media antics, one where he posted a picture of an attractive female in a sexy police uniform on his Instagram account, with a comment about Claude Giroux. That was all fine until he taunted the fan base and local media with a hashtag about him being Giroux and the #winnipegmedia.
This followed the pre-draft favouriting of a tweet (by Kane) from some one wanting him to be traded to the Flyers. The knives came out and whether this is just another example of Kane’s sly, biting sense of humour or real angst is hard to tell. I doubt it makes the Jets happy and if that’s the case they seem unable or unwilling to address the issues with Kane.
What this looks like is a marriage that does not work. There’s nothing ‘natural’ about it and there are far too many spectators watching and waiting for the next dust up and disagreement. If this truly is the case with Kane and the Jets would it be better for everyone to move on?
Cue the trade rumours, but ground them in some simple reality. They are not about the actions of a player off the ice or on it. To trade Kane is to admit irreconcilable differences and both parties need fresh starts.
The somewhat ironic aspect to that idea is it’s not unlike the situation with Claude Noel last year. It’s not that he was a bad coach, or that the team didn’t have good players. No, it was because the relationship dynamic had gone bad and was beyond repair, and that may be happening again.
I’d be shocked if some more change with the Jets was not coming but I don’t know what and when. Pure logical thinking points towards Evander Kane and that might just be best for everyone. However, divorce is often a hard, emotional, and unfair event. In the real world both sides don’t have to pick up their scarred pieces and jump right back into a new relationship but in this case they would.
Anyone know of a dating sight for NHL teams and players, my money is on the Jets and Kane each needing one before the summer is out. Hopefully they find a good therapist first.