I haven't really thought about hockey for a bit, and considering the gap between the last series and the Stanley Cup final it seems taking a break was worthwhile. Had some time to really enjoy the Raptors!
However, now that hockey is back it's time to think about thins with the Jets and what's going on.
First the signing of Brossoit was a good move for the obvious reasons but also because it sends a message of stability in between the pipes, something that has not been the case in recent years in Winnipeg. The question that seems to be asked a lot is about usage and games. Brossoit started 19 games last season for the Jets while Hellebuyck started 62 do we see those numbers change this coming season. Hellebuyck started 64 games in his breakout season, started the 53 the year before and 26 in his rookie year so the question becomes what's the right number?
I would think the 60-22 split seems likely but that's very counter to how Paul Maurice has behaved. He rode Wheeler and Schiefele hard this past season and has leaned on Buff for large minutes too but the latter might be the best evidence of change. When Buff was leading the league in minutes by defence a few years ago problems arose and Maurice pulled him back and it helped. Can he do the same for his goalie tandem?
The obvious fallout is what will happen to RFA goalie Eric Comrie? He has only played 5 NHL games and if those carry any weight they might not help his value should a trade be on the table. What's Comrie worth? It's hard to know because goalies are voodoo.
There's more speculation and rumor-ing around the status of Jets RFAs Laine, Connor and Trouba. This trio will shape the Jets for years either with their next deals or trade(s). Trouba seems to be the obvious one to manage first as his future likely shapes other moves, necessary and/or necessitated. There is no easy way out with Trouba unless something has changed for him. He's been spotted around town recently if that means anything?
Kyle Connor has been in many people's thoughts in terms of his future with the Jets- what will it cost to get him signed?
Here are the top left wings by contract:
Left wing contracts
Here are the top left wings by points:
Left Wing Points
Only Ovechkin and Gaudreau cross over into the top 10 of options and contract. Is Connor sat 12th for LW in scoring with 66 points- the question becomes how much do his UFA years cost? The rumor du jour is that they are are close to a deal if that means anything and in the 6-8 year range (obviously) so what's the value? There's only one player in the top 10 in contracts who signed it as there second deal and that's Gaudreau. Perhaps in the seven million range is fair but is he any better or worse than Nylander another winger albeit RW? Anything under 7 million seems a fair deal for the Jets, so fans can hope.
Apply the same logic to Laine and his impending deal.
Here are the top RW contracts:
Right Wing contracts
Here are the top RW by points:
Right Wing points
There are five cross overs on that list- Wheeler, Kane, Stone, Kucherov and Kessel, and Pastrnak at 11 in contract value. So does Laine meet the criteria of Kucherov or Kane, or his teammate Wheeler? How much to his UFA yeas cost? More importantly is he ready to bet on himself now or would he want to see if he can round out his game and take a bridge deal? Somewhere between Tarasenko and Wheeler seems right based on now but could that be more?
Then there is Andrew Copp the 'other RFA'? Not a peep out of his camp or anyone about his net deal yet he's critical to the depth of the team and for it's most underrated line. One that was kept apart despite all three players being healthy. Copp would seem to fall in the same camp as Brossoit and it should not be a huge deal to get him signed or will it? He has arbitration rights and given how other Jets have used them would it not be smart for him to at least look at the option?
Finally does anyone know what's going on with Jack Roslovic? This article from Ken Wiebe
Jets should target Kadri suggests Roslovic could be a trade option. Is that because he's expendable in the eyes of the coach or GM or because he's unhappy with his role- perhaps both?
With deals like Brossoit's and then the big one with Brock Nelson in New York there's bound to be lots of news starting to come from teams. Expect the some from the Jets too especially as we inch closer to the draft and UFA period.
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