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Jets shooting for the Stars, Trade Thoughts |
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Jets shooting for the Stars, Trade Thoughts
Despite a rough first period and a generally ‘meh’ game against the Predators the Jets should be heading into Dallas feeing optimistic if only for the goaltending they are getting from Connor Hellebuyck. It seems wierd to write that as the talk of the town is that of the play of the Jets skaters and how it’s only because of Hellebuyck that they can win. While a bit extreme in logic isn’t that the point with goaltending? To have it be good enough to help you when you can’t help yourself?
The feeling now is that the Jets are about to enter the hornets nest of problems with the Stars being winless in 3 and with Seguin and Benn being silent on the score sheet. Instead of thinking about how that will end perhaps more should be thinking about how to continue that trend, and hopefully Paul Maurice is.
FIrst and foremost the Jets have to match the speed and attack of the Stars by positioning and awareness. They aren’t as fast or as dynamic but this is not a style match-up that cannot be overcome, there is always a ‘way’. Tonight that ‘way’ will be closing down lanes and ensuring that no Stars player gets a free pass on the ice without being checked. Aside from the obvious penalty trouble what more is reasonable to expect from the Jets to change?
There’s problems but they cannot all be fixed at once and nor should they team or coaches try. They have to build good habits on good habits and tonight would be a prime example to focus on one thing and hope the goaltending holds up again. With Hellebuyck it usually has been and that’s the good news but it’s something the rest of the team has to build on. If anything, in terms of record and playoff hopes, are to change for the Jets, the skaters need to change too.
Yesterday we saw two interesting trades in the NHL, Johansen for Jones and Lecavailer and Schenn for Weal and a 3rd round pick. I think both make sense in some ways and while the move from LA’s point of view seems curious it seems to make more sense when it was reported that Philly was taking on half of each deal. It also helps that Lecavailer agreed to retire after his deal which is most surprising. If that was a condition to make the cap stuff work as has been widely reported is that not cap circumvention and deliberate too?
Meanwhile in Jets world the fandom was at a loss as to why with defense talent sitting doing nothing and two UFA players nowhere close to being signed (watch as two deal are announced tomorrow) Chevy was sitting on the sidelines again. Before we all get our nose out of joint let’s ask a few basic questions:
1. Does Chevy believe he needs a number one centre?
2. Would he and Jets fans be okay with trading Trouba (and maybe more) for Johansen if there is a chance that Buff is gone?
3. Would adding Schenn to the blue line do anything?
4. Word in the NHL is that if you want a player of quality you are taking back a bad deal when dealing with Philly- so anyone want Amac? Thought so.
5. Ladd and/or Buff are not getting a player of Johansen’s age and quality so now it’s time to really temper expectations about possible future moves.
The point most Jets fans probably felt, but did not articulate well yesterday, is with so many obvious problems and two UFAs coming up why is Chevy sitting still when others can make deals? Look at the teams- it took time and the right situation to make those deals. As Rick Ralph says ‘to make trades you need prospects and draft picks’ so which prospects are you willing to give up to make that deal? The Jets have no one like Weal nor could they match Nashville’s payment with Trouba alone, again what do you add?
Remember Johansen is a UFA in 2018- better make sure you are in a position to retain him or that’s a very expensive two year rental when you look at the cost. While the Jets were unlikely to be a part of any of these deals something will give before Feb 29th with 2 big contracts or 1, and/or trades. His time is coming and the clock is ticking, just get ready for the ride.
Finally Nik Ehlers got a $2000 fine for diving in the Detroit game. A game that was over a week ago just rendered a verdict on diving? What’s the point? If the NHL has that much time to waste on deliberation figure out the all-star game. For the record I have no problem with players trying to dive to draw penalties I have issued with fines being handed out later and when refs call nothing. Use video review and a challenge and make a decision in under two minutes- otherwise let it go, he got away with it.
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • 
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