Agreed, maybe Niku's injury is still bothering him a bit because otherwise it doesn't make sense.
- jetsnation

Its not injury! This is purely Maurice preferring a crappier but bigger guy

I guess there is no chance that the coach thinks he needs a bit more size on defence against the Wild.

Sorry jets nation but you’ve absolutely misunderstood me!!

I have never wanted to trade a young guy for a temporary fix! Anything I suggested was a long term fix that would make our overall team better and I was trading an equally talented and aged forward for the same on D.

I don’t want to sign UFA’s. They are 90% of the time on the downside of their career and sign for much more than they are worth for too long. Next year Hamonic and Pietrangelo will absolute be over paid for too long
- Ross77

I would pursue a player such as Malkin at the trade deadline in a heartbeat if he were available. Downside of his career doesn't matter a bit if he is still a great player.

Its not injury! This is purely Maurice preferring a crappier but bigger guy
- Ross77

If as you say, wish he would have put Dahlstrom back in, bigger - and arguably better than Bitetto.

Agreed, maybe Niku's injury is still bothering him a bit because otherwise it doesn't make sense.
- jetsnation

interesting that it is Niku drawing out rather than Heinola or Bitetto. possible reasons:
*Niku injury is nagging a little
*Niku on the trade block
*Physicality of Bitetto desired vs central opponent

I would pursue a player such as Malkin at the trade deadline in a heartbeat if he were available. Downside of his career doesn't matter a bit if he is still a great player.
- 2.0

Obviously depends where we are in the standings by then.

However, Malkin? Yes, he was, and is still, a great player - when healthy. But man that guy is brittle. Drafted him year after year in pools. One of my fav's opposition players - but still -- no.

Certainly would not want to give a 1st away this year - unless we add some d - we are not cup contenders IMO, sad as that may sound. Hopefully playoffs.

Let’s just stop, I can name many teams with great Center depth that haven’t won a cup!!!!!
The most important thing to winning the cup is a hot goalie!!!!!! Hope we can agree on that.
- Ross77

I agree with Ross on this

I’m glad you posted this!! With the exception of Pitt and Det. NONE of these teams top 2 center duo would even be top 5 in NHL that year!!!!!

You actually just proved my point and lost this argument and you put all the work in, brilliant!!! Thank you
- Ross77

Appreciate the effort Ultimate but I also agree with Ross on this. Not many of those pairs were that great comparatively speaking.

interesting that it is Niku drawing out rather than Heinola or Bitetto. possible reasons:
*Niku injury is nagging a little
*Niku on the trade block
*Physicality of Bitetto desired vs central opponent
- 2.0

It may be Mr. Heinola meet Mr. Greenway again. If anyone sits because they are afraid of the Wild's physicality, it should be Ville.

Sorry jets nation but you’ve absolutely misunderstood me!!

I have never wanted to trade a young guy for a temporary fix! Anything I suggested was a long term fix that would make our overall team better and I was trading an equally talented and aged forward for the same on D.

I don’t want to sign UFA’s. They are 90% of the time on the downside of their career and sign for much more than they are worth for too long. Next year Hamonic and Pietrangelo will absolute be over paid for too long
- Ross77

My comments were not directed in any particular direction. I just get tired of all the trade talk on here. Trade this guy, trade that guy . I understand your argument Ross but in that scenario, I'm still not trading Connor for another Morrissey especially not the players you mentioned. They would also have to have equally long cap- contracts, want to be in Wpg long term, gel with the team, etc. Your not going to find many young Dmen that fit that profile.

It may be Mr. Heinola meet Mr. Greenway again. If anyone sits because they are afraid of the Wild's physicality, it should be Ville.
- grahamzky

Ville hasn't looked intimidated by physical play so far. He looks like he was born with ice in his veins and may be more ready than Niku for physical play.

(self evaluation)

maybe I am starting to see Heinola sticking around rather than sent down after 9.

My comments were not directed in any particular direction. I just get tired of all the trade talk on here. Trade this guy, trade that guy . I understand your argument Ross but in that scenario, I'm still not trading Connor for another Morrissey especially not the players you mentioned. They would also have to have equally long cap- contracts, want to be in Wpg long term, gel with the team, etc. Your not going to find many young Dmen that fit that profile.
- jetsnation

well said

Sorry jets nation but you’ve absolutely misunderstood me!!

I have never wanted to trade a young guy for a temporary fix! Anything I suggested was a long term fix that would make our overall team better and I was trading an equally talented and aged forward for the same on D.

I don’t want to sign UFA’s. They are 90% of the time on the downside of their career and sign for much more than they are worth for too long. Next year Hamonic and Pietrangelo will absolute be over paid for too long
- Ross77

The Jets have one real free agent in the next 2 years and that's Laine, you can give him Perreaults 4 million.

So who cares if Hamonic and Pietrangelo are overpaid, if the Jets could get 4 good years from them in 6 year contracts it wont matter cause it's not costing them in resigning players.

Maurice and his asinine love for 7/8 type d-men like useless Bitetto, Kulikov and now Dahlstrom playing over Niku. Say goodbye to Samberg as he would rather pick a team that will play him than sign with the Jets who have a simple coach that will keep him on the Moose for 2 extra season like he has with Poolman and now Niku. Expect the Wild to hem the Jets in their own end and give up 35 plus shots. Helly better bring his A+ game tonight.

I’m glad you posted this!! With the exception of Pitt and Det. NONE of these teams top 2 center duo would even be top 5 in NHL that year!!!!!

You actually just proved my point and lost this argument and you put all the work in, brilliant!!! Thank you
- Ross77

Thanks Ross, it does appear that you did not read my last paragraph where I wrote:

Every single center (outside the exceptions) on the list either had a 70 plus point season prior to winning the cup; during the cup win year; or had it the year after winning the cup. All are capable of centering #1 lines.

Please re-read! I never said any were a top 5 duo in the NHL in years they won cups. Furthermore I do not come on here to win or lose arguments. I come on here to discuss hockey and learn from others.

You still have not answered many of the questions I have asked you in my previous posts. If you have the need to win, I can always send you a first place ribbon in the mail.

Maurice and his asinine love for 7/8 type d-men like useless Bitetto, Kulikov and now Dahlstrom playing over Niku. Say goodbye to Samberg as he would rather pick a team that will play him than sign with the Jets who have a simple coach that will keep him on the Moose for 2 extra season like he has with Poolman and now Niku. Expect the Wild to hem the Jets in their own end and give up 35 plus shots. Helly better bring his A+ game tonight.
- islansjet

speaking of Samberg - is he tradebait? I'd love to see him sign here but getting a little nervous though not for the reason you suggest.

Let’s just stop, I can name many teams with great Center depth that haven’t won a cup!!!!!
The most important thing to winning the cup is a hot goalie!!!!!! Hope we can agree on that.
- Ross77

But you cannot name me more than 3 cup champs since 2005 that did not win without center depth!

Appreciate the effort Ultimate but I also agree with Ross on this. Not many of those pairs were that great comparatively speaking.
- jetsnation

Again, please re-read my last paragraph:

Every single center (outside the exceptions) on the list either had a 70 plus point season prior to winning the cup; during the cup win year; or had it the year after winning the cup. All are capable of centering #1 lines.

Thanks JN. Last I checked, I don't see NHL teams clamoring for guys like Lowry and Copp to be their number 1 centers.

speaking of Samberg - is he tradebait? I'd love to see him sign here but getting a little nervous though not for the reason you suggest.
- 2.0

Yes, I've thought for a while that the Jets probably know his attitude towards signing with Jets.

If so, and he wants out, then his rights could be a good trade chip, now or later perhaps.

Again, please re-read my last paragraph:



Thanks JN. Last I checked, I don't see NHL teams clamoring for guys like Lowry and Copp to be their number 1 centers.
- TheUltimateJet

OMG - can someone tell me if the 1960 Habs had two high scoring centres on their squad, or the Red Wings of the 1950's??? What about the Leafs of 1967?

My comments were not directed in any particular direction. I just get tired of all the trade talk on here. Trade this guy, trade that guy . I understand your argument Ross but in that scenario, I'm still not trading Connor for another Morrissey especially not the players you mentioned. They would also have to have equally long cap- contracts, want to be in Wpg long term, gel with the team, etc. Your not going to find many young Dmen that fit that profile.
- jetsnation

I may disagree but I can see what you are saying and completely understand not wanting to move Connor

Thanks Ross, it does appear that you did not read my last paragraph where I wrote:



Please re-read! I never said any were a top 5 duo in the NHL in years they won cups. Furthermore I do not come on here to win or lose arguments. I come on here to discuss hockey and learn from others.

You still have not answered many of the questions I have asked you in my previous posts. If you have the need to win, I can always send you a first place ribbon in the mail.
- TheUltimateJet

But you’d have to buy one of those, just send me one your Participation ones
😜
All good pal, enjoy the game tonight

speaking of Samberg - is he tradebait? I'd love to see him sign here but getting a little nervous though not for the reason you suggest.
- 2.0

If he won’t sign this summer when his season his done I can see him being traded like Fox rather than go back to cool we’ve for yet another year.
I think he signs as soon as his season is done though

If he won’t sign this summer when his season his done I can see him being traded like Fox rather than go back to cool we’ve for yet another year.
I think he signs as soon as his season is done though
- Ross77

Yea I think if he signs, he signs as soon as his college season is done, get the $$$. Not sure of deadline.

If not he goes back into the 2020 Entry draft, is that not right? Or maybe it's 2021?

Yea I think if he signs, he signs as soon as his college season is done, get the $$$. Not sure of deadline.

If not he goes back into the 2020 Entry draft, is that not right? Or maybe it's 2021?
- grahamzky

First sorry for the typos on first one, lol
He doesn’t go back into the draft, he can play this season and one more in college and then become a UFA in August 2021.