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An In-Depth Look at the Jets Start to the Season - Part 2: Defense |
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We already took an in-depth look at the Jets start to the season with Part 1 - Forwards, so here is part two! Today we will be taking a look at the defenseman.
The defenseman, as a group, really struggled in the early parts of the season, as it seemed like they weren't all on the same page. This is fair, as they brought in Dillon and Schmidt, who are playing fairly big roles on the team. They were unable to close the gaps in the defensive end, and would often get caught without anybody covering for them. Obviously, growing pains happen with every team especially with a new group, and they have dramatically improved over the past few weeks.
Players like Morrissey, Pionk and Schmidt have all been having great starts, with the rest of them playing well as well. It was never really about these defenders not playing well enough, rather they were unable to play good, together.
After moving on from Poolman, Niku and Forbort, the Jets were kind of a question mark coming out of the summer, but have proven that they work well together. Now, let's take a look at how each defenseman is doing.
Josh Morrissey:
2019-20 - 65GP: G/GP: 0.08 A/GP: 0.40 P/PG: 0.48 PPP/G: 0.28
2020-21 - 56GP: G/GP: 0.07 A/GP: 0.30 P/PG: 0.37 PPP/G: 0.30
2021-22 - 19GP: G/GP: 0.16 A/GP: 0.26 P/PG: 0.42 PPP/G: 0.21
Josh Morrissey has been off to a pretty good start this season. Looking at the stats, other than the G/GP being higher than usual, Morrissey is right on track with his previous totals. Offensively, well, he is doing exactly what is expected of him. Playing powerplay, and being very productive 5-on-5.
What stats can't show here, is his improvements defensively. While I don't believe +/- is a stat that should be used to judge, Morrissey is a +9 through 19 games, which comes as a bit of a surprise as he was leaning toward the term "liability" at times last season. The extra push from Morrissey on the puck-battles, and seemingly a more aggressive defensive style, it is working, and Josh Morrissey has taken a step forward this season. Averaging a team-leading 22:37 TOI/game, it is clear that Paul Maurice has acknowledged these improvements as well.
Nate Schmidt:
2019-20 - 59GP: G/GP: 0.12 A/GP: 0.41 P/PG: 0.53 PPP/G: 0.12 (VGK)
2020-21 - 54GP: G/GP: 0.09 A/GP: 0.19 P/PG: 0.28 PPP/G: 0.00 (VAN)
2021-22 - 19GP: G/GP: 0.11 A/GP: 0.53 P/PG: 0.64 PPP/G: 0.32
When the Jets acquired Nate Schmidt from the Vancouver Canucks for just a third round pick, I didn't expect Scmidt to come in and have the impact that he has. While the stats show that he is producing at a much higher rate than last season, I don't see that as a sign that he will slow down. In Winnipeg, Schmidt is getting a lot more opportunity to play his style, which is quite effective at both ends of the ice.
A stat posted by the NHL Network, showed Nate Schmidt leading the way in "Most Stretch Pass Completions" and with 60, tops the rest of the league. Schmidt is a fantastic player to have on the transitions between zones, and when the pass ends up causing a turnover, he has the mindset of a defenseman who really knows what he is doing. His ability to shut down odd-man rushes have impressed me this season. I think the Jets and Nate himself are very happy with the fit on this team.
Brenden Dillon:
2019-20 - 69GP: G/GP: 0.01 A/GP: 0.19 P/PG: 0.20 PPP/G: 0.00 (SJS/WSH)
2020-21 - 56GP: G/GP: 0.04 A/GP: 0.30 P/PG: 0.34 PPP/G: 0.02 (WSH)
2021-22 - 19GP: G/GP: 0.00 A/GP: 0.16 P/PG: 0.16 PPP/G: 0.00
Brenden Dillon isn't, and never was a defenseman you could look at and expect to get some points for you. What he is great at, though, is using his 6-foot-four-inch frame to play a very physical game. Dillon's defending is so great, because of his ability to play the body, and the puck, and create turnovers.
When the opposing team is carrying the play into the Jets defensive end, Dillon is always finding the angles to cut them off, and play them into the boards. His physicality, on top of his defensive IQ, makes him a great option for Winnipeg as a shut-down defender. Partnered up with Pionk seems to be a great fit as well, as he is able to take added responsibility in his end, and allowing Pionk to create some offense up the ice.
Neal Pionk:
2019-20 - 71GP: G/GP: 0.08 A/GP: 0.55 P/PG: 0.63 PPP/G: 0.35
2020-21 - 54GP: G/GP: 0.06 A/GP: 0.54 P/PG: 0.60 PPP/G: 0.19
2021-22 - 19GP: G/GP: 0.11 A/GP: 0.47 P/PG: 0.58 PPP/G: 0.21
Neal Pionk has been a very good offensive defenseman for the Jets since being acquired from the Rangers. The 26-year old defender came to Winnipeg and found a home. Registering close to that 0.6 PPG mark in his tenure, he has become the most offensively minded defenseman on the team. I would like to see Pionk get more powerplay time, and in turn, more powerplay responsibility.
While it is easy to say the offensive defenseman is good because of his point totals, it is quite impressive how he is able to flip a switch and play like a shut-down defenseman. The versatility seems to always be put to the test against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers. It feels like Pionk is a whole new defenseman against this team, and seems to always be ruining McDavids plans. Obviously, he is good at defending against every team, but it feels like there is a little more to him when it is McDavid coming in the zone.
Dylan DeMelo:
2019-20 - 59GP: G/GP: 0.00 A/GP: 0.17 P/PG: 0.17 PPP/G: 0.00 (OTT/WPG)
2020-21 - 52GP: G/GP: 0.00 A/GP: 0.17 P/PG: 0.17 PPP/G: 0.00
2021-22 - 19GP: G/GP: 0.05 A/GP: 0.11 P/PG: 0.16 PPP/G: 0.00
Since being traded from the Ottawa Senators, DeMelo has been a fantastic shut-down defenseman for the team. DeMelo has some of the best underlying advanced stats in the league among defenseman, at least defensively. DeMelo doesn't do too much fancy work with the puck, which, in his style of play, is perfectly fine.
He has shown that he is able to effectively move the puck up the ice, but is clearly more comfortable taking on defensive responsibilities. Everything he does is so subtle, and with that, can go pretty un-noticeable for a few games at a time, which in his role, is a plus. It is almost like with defenders such as DeMelo, you don't notice them until they do something wrong. DeMelo is always making defensive plays that make you cheer! Before the season, I would have predicted DeMelo would be given a bigger role, but with the right side of Schmidt and Pionk playing so well, it makes the most sense to continue his deployment as it has been.
Logan Stanley:
2020-21 - 37GP: G/GP: 0.03 A/GP: 0.08 P/PG: 0.11 PPP/G: 0.00
2021-22 - 19GP: G/GP: 0.00 A/GP: 0.26 P/PG: 0.26 PPP/G: 0.00
The big-bodied, 23 year old defenseman, Logan Stanley, has been a good piece at the bottom of the lineup. While not getting much ice time, Logan Stalney is able to be physical, and responsible in his own end. Stanley still has to work on some things, such as his skating and transitions, but if he can adapt to a style that Brenden Dillon plays, he has the opportunity to become a force to be reckoned with on the ice.
Paired up with DeMelo, not much offense happens when they are on the ice. I would like to see Stanley get a chance a bit higher up in the lineup to see what he is capable of in more situations, but the way he has been playing with DeMelo has been perfectly fine.
Nathan Beaulieu:
2019-20 - 38GP: G/GP: 0.03 A/GP: 0.18 P/PG: 0.21 PPP/G: 0.00
2020-21 - 25GP: G/GP: 0.00 A/GP: 0.04 P/PG: 0.04 PPP/G: 0.00
2021-22 - 9GP: G/GP: 0.00 A/GP: 0.11 P/PG: 0.11 PPP/G: 0.00
Beaulieu has been the teams 7th defenseman this season, and when injuries, COVID, and suspensions come, he is the first in the lineup as the team elects to go 11F/7D. I don't have any complaints about how Beaulieu has played, he has been given very limited ice time, but isn't as effective as some of the forwards who could be playing instead.
Beaulieu is a great person to have on call for your defense, as he can kind of slot in anywhere. He has capabilities to play a defensive shut-down role, as well as a more offensively minded role.
Now, all of the defenseman have their own style, and we are seeing they can mesh together really well. With players like Ville Heinola and Dylan Samberg waiting for their opportunities, the Jets management must be pretty happy with their top-nine defenseman in the organization. Part three of this series will be the final part, and I will be looking at the goaltending and coaching. I will also be doing a follow-up, taking a "way-too-early" look at the trade deadline, and free agency.
Thank you for taking the time to read, and let me know what you think of the defenseman this team has, and how they are playing. Leave your thoughts in the comment section below, and I will respond to as many as I can!
By Jacob Billington
Winnipeg Jets Blogger • 
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