No matter where you read online it appears once the Stanley Cup finals are over the real action of the NHL off season will begin. It's being tweeted, written, and talked about through many media brands. Something is going down.
What that something is remains relatively unknown but between Spezza, Kesler, Panthers, Ducks, Blues, Leafs, Penguins and who knows how many other teams there is lots of rationale suggesting changes are going to happen. That means moves are going to be made. YAY!
As for the Jets it's very hard to get a gauge on the team. They haven't even mentioned contract talks with Michael Frolik nor have they even talked about anything other than the St. John's Icecaps Calder Cup run or the draft party. The local media has been wowed by the labour strife of the CFL and the possibility of a functional CFL team in Winnipeg. Furthermore anyone who knows the team understands that it's lockdown mode on all aspects of information leaking.
The one thing that is being spoken about is the possibility of Mike Richards being a target should be be bought out. I had discussed him as a possible trade target last july and now it appears that he is a least being mentioned as a FA target, if a buyout happens.
It seems that one consistent aspect to Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff's MO is to try and find bargains, or better put 'under valued players'. Would going after a Richards or Havlat fit that mode of operation?
In some ways yes and if you look back historically there is reason to think he (Chevy) may strike again. In the off-season of transition from Atlanta to Winnipeg Chevy signed Kyle Wellwood as a UFA centre and then added from re-entry waivers Antti Miettinen. The former, Wellwood, appeared to still have some game left in his legs and was a positive possession player for two seasons with the Jets. Alas like all things with Wellwood he was never seen for what he was, always what he wasn't and cut free by the Jets last summer. Miettinen was disaster of an acquisition and one that cost the Jets a second year of salary spent on very little return.
In the summer of 2012 before the lockout Chevy struck again, signing Olli Jokinen to a 2 year 9 million dollar deal. In his first season after the lockout the big fin was a total bust scoring just 7 goals and adding 7 helpers. He was a -19 but we know that stat is bunk but fun to see regardless.
In the 2013-14 off season Chevy added Devon Setoguchi and Michael Frolik both by trading second round picks. One player thrived and was a fan favourite while the other continued a downward spiral. However, both players fit the same kind of model Chevy appears to be using, finding good talent in less than ideal situations and seeing if they thrive as Jets. So far he's batting about .500 but the results don't necessarily say he won't try this move again, he's done it every off season.
So who is it this year? Richards? What about Marty Havlat with one year left on his deal at 6 million? There are suggestions the Sharks are trying to move him before having to buy him out and to do so would cost the Sharks 2 million a year for the next two years. It's doubtful they can get a team to pay Havlat 4 million or more and give up an asset to get him. Aside from that reality should the Jets even be looking at him? No... run away.
But for Jets fans these are the kinds of moves they expect from this conservative GM, one who has yet to do a player for player deal involving regular NHL players. Until the farm is full and teeming with prospects the roster needs some placeholders and right now that's what fans should be looking for: who is this season's placeholder?
Fans should hope that Eric O'Dell has earned enough goodwill through his time in Winnipeg and the Calder Cup playoffs that he gets a shot at third line centre but what about improving the roster? O'Dell should help, should. But what other help can Chevy rustle up in case the most promising prospect LHD Josh Morrissey is not ready for prime time yet?
Take a look at this list for left wingersto fill out the third line with Dustin Byfuglien and ???
What about centres? Here is the the list for that position.
Now consider the Frolik is getting top line minutes and the second line is Kane, Scheifele and Wheeler now you have to find a better 3rd line left wing to play with an as of yet unknown centre and Byfuglien. That's the problem with leaving Buff up front he's too skilled for third line play and he's not a player who fills a role- that was Frolik's job.
So move Frolik to 3rd line and Wheeler up front put Buff with Kane and Scheifele and the roster looks like this:
Ladd Little Wheeler Kane Scheifele Bufyglien ??? O'Dell/??? Frolik ???? Slater ????
If you move Byfuglien back to defence, which it appears Paul Maurice does not want to do, then it creates one more hole for Chevy. Is anyone other than O'Dell and possibly Morrissey ready for prime time? Doubtful but training camp is a ways off yet and anything can change and/or happen.
One thing that has happened every off-season is the search and acquisition of a new placeholder while the Jets draft and develop. Who and how many are coming this year? That's the real off-season question not what the Jets have to do in hopes of making the playoffs, sadly.