What Lowry now only 5 goals behind the generational scorer,- (and more game-winning goals?), and little power play time or 1st line duty. Pretty good 3rd line Centre. Not a team in the league that wouldn't want Lowry!

So we're back to discussing Connor-Laine are we? Do you think that Connor might get off easier when he makes a mistake than Laine because Connor puts in 100% effort on every poop and actually wins puck battles? That being said, Patrik, to his credit, has been a lot better this season and I hope the he continues to improve.

In my opinion the Jets season turned around when Wheeler was inserted as second line centre. The Connor-Scheifele-Laine, and Ehlers-Wheeler-Roslovic gives us two pretty decent scoring lines, which a lot of teams don't have.

The we have the checking line of Perreault-Lowry-Copp which does a decent job against the other top lines. The fourth line? Know they don't grow on trees but would like to see some competent tough guy (like Ryan Reaves) on there, the Jets lack toughness.

The "d" has been a major surprise. Neal Pionk has surprised almost everyone, and Poolman has shown he can play in the NHL. Sbisa has been a great pick-up and even Bitetto has played better lately. Morrissey is Morrissey.

The season suddenly looks a lot rosier - everyone happy with Helle?
- grahamzky

Yeah cause that's what the powerplay needs, some Adam Lowry... Lol
The generational scorer might not be sniping them like before but he's leading the team in assists so let's not get ridiculous here, Lowry's goal was literally his first of the season that he actually shot past a goalie, he'll have to get on one hell of a hot streak to get to 8 goals!

Connor wins puck battles? I think part of the reason he gets less criticism is cause he's from Michigan and not Finland. Seriously though many in this fanbase have blinders on for certain players.

Thanks for being the voice of reason grahamsky. I would add that the Little injury may be serving as a galvanizing moment for the team. A respected and hard working teammate goes down with a serious injury and the team rallies.

2019 so far has had a disappointing playoff run, big off-season changes on D, team at a cross-road, Laine's work ethic and team game being scrutinized, coach on the hot-seat, widely panned Trouba for Pionk trade, Buff stays home, some doubt about Hellebuyck, bad start for Wheeler, career threatening injury to Little, most fans skeptical about something. It's 23 guys in a fox-hole taking on the world and doing pretty well.

Go-jets-go!
- 2.0

I always enjoy most of your posts 2.0. I am not sure why there is such as a discussion on the small negatives here of several players on the Jets. The Jets are playing winning hockey and most of the goals they produce are 5 vs 5, which was a definite problem last year when we relied on our PP. This year if we ever got our PP working at even a decent rate of 50th percentile in the NHL the Jets would be a top-four team in the league.

Also while Hellebucyk has been outstanding, there is no doubt that Marice has done an unbelievable job of both coaching and spotting talent. He has found the right guys to fit roles, given several young players chances, and rolled through some difficult injury problems. There are only really four hockey guys opinions I have admiration for.....Button, McKenzie, Burke, and Friedman, and all for different reasons. Every one of them raves about the coaching job Maurice has done and also the GM job Chevy has done. I don't think a lot of you realize how lucky we are to have these two guys. It could be so so much worse. There are very few GM / coach combinations in the league as good as the Jets.

I'm not an all roses guy because I do see the flaws as well. However, I do pride myself on being a very good judge of talent ( and lack of talent) or spotting breakdowns on the system. As you know, I was never a big fan of Trouba because he made way too many mistakes. Morrissey made him look much better than he was. Trouba looks lost without him. For those of you who think we don't need Buff back , I believe you are wrong. While I love the cap savings ( ? ) , Buff really made a difference on the PP. While I love the Pionk trade, one flaw in his game is his lack of movement on the PP. Buff was very adept at seeing when the PP movement was getting stale and then going down low and changing things up. Better at timing his shots, better at keeping the puck inside the blueline, etc. We also miss his brawn and ability to get the puck out of the zone. Other teams are doing the hard two-man press on our D after the shoot-in. They were not so willing to take on Buff in the corner as they are some of our newer D-recruits . Just saying .

I always enjoy most of your posts 2.0. I am not sure why there is such as a discussion on the small negatives here of several players on the Jets. The Jets are playing winning hockey and most of the goals they produce are 5 vs 5, which was a definite problem last year when we relied on our PP. This year if we ever got our PP working at even a decent rate of 50th percentile in the NHL the Jets would be a top-four team in the league.

Also while Hellebucyk has been outstanding, there is no doubt that Marice has done an unbelievable job of both coaching and spotting talent. He has found the right guys to fit roles, given several young players chances, and rolled through some difficult injury problems. There are only really four hockey guys opinions I have admiration for.....Button, McKenzie, Burke, and Friedman, and all for different reasons. Every one of them raves about the coaching job Maurice has done and also the GM job Chevy has done. I don't think a lot of you realize how lucky we are to have these two guys. It could be so so much worse. There are very few GM / coach combinations in the league as good as the Jets.

I'm not an all roses guy because I do see the flaws as well. However, I do pride myself on being a very good judge of talent ( and lack of talent) or spotting breakdowns on the system. As you know, I was never a big fan of Trouba because he made way too many mistakes. Morrissey made him look much better than he was. Trouba looks lost without him. For those of you who think we don't need Buff back , I believe you are wrong. While I love the cap savings ( ? ) , Buff really made a difference on the PP. While I love the Pionk trade, one flaw in his game is his lack of movement on the PP. Buff was very adept at seeing when the PP movement was getting stale and then going down low and changing things up. Better at timing his shots, better at keeping the puck inside the blueline, etc. We also miss his brawn and ability to get the puck out of the zone. Other teams are doing the hard two-man press on our D after the shoot-in. They were not so willing to take on Buff in the corner as they are some of our newer D-recruits . Just saying .
- jetsnation

Just so I am clear. Are you saying that a 35 year old Dustin Byfuglien, a man who quit on his teammates in September is the X-factor? The same Byfuglien who is said to be 30 pounds overweight and just had ankle surgery that is said to take 4 months to recover is our answer? The same Byfuglien who was top 10 in the league for minor penalties, and who constantly put us on the penalty kill?

Could you please clarify this is the player you are speaking about?

Point to one area where Maurice has had a positive effect?
His team has the 27th PP, the 26th PK, gives up the 3rd most shots, takes the 14th most shots, scores the 19th most goals (14th most at 5v5), is 21st in CF%, 30th in xGF%.

Yeah the Jets are winning, good for them but don't tell me it's because Maurice has done anything besides turn to Hellebuyck and say "You're in net tonight, don't give up more than 2 goals"

Point to one area where Maurice has had a positive effect?
His team has the 27th PP, the 26th PK, gives up the 3rd most shots, takes the 14th most shots, scores the 19th most goals (14th most at 5v5), is 21st in CF%, 30th in xGF%.

Yeah the Jets are winning, good for them but don't tell me it's because Maurice has done anything besides turn to Hellebuyck and say "You're in net tonight, don't give up more than 2 goals"
- BWJumper

I also hear Maurice getting a lot of credit for his lineup decisions but if Little doesn't get hurt are we still watching Wheeler with Scheiffele and the ineffective Laine and Little combination, his hand being forced may be the only reason we're seeing anything different with this lineup.

Just so I am clear. Are you saying that a 35 year old Dustin Byfuglien, a man who quit on his teammates in September is the X-factor? The same Byfuglien who is said to be 30 pounds overweight and just had ankle surgery that is said to take 4 months to recover is our answer? The same Byfuglien who was top 10 in the league for minor penalties, and who constantly put us on the penalty kill?

Could you please clarify this is the player you are speaking about?
- TheUltimateJet

Yes. If Buff is going to play for the Jets again he will only be allowed if he is back in top shape . His ankle is already surgically repaired so it should not be an issue. There is no doubt in my mind that the Jets are a better team with him that without him. I can't even believe its a topic for discussion. Are you telling me that Dahlstrom and Beaulieu and Bitetto, and Kulikov, are better Dmen than Buff. Not a chance ! Not even close.

Buff is done as a Jet.
Here is a theory.....as I have previously stated, I believe that the feathers that were ruffled at the end of last season were Buff's.
He figured that Maurice would get fired if the team started poorly, but he guessed wrong.

I also hear Maurice getting a lot of credit for his lineup decisions but if Little doesn't get hurt are we still watching Wheeler with Scheiffele and the ineffective Laine and Little combination, his hand being forced may be the only reason we're seeing anything different with this lineup.
- JetFuel

This has been the overarching theme about Maurice for many years. Its nice to see other fans are picking up on it as well!

Yes. If Buff is going to play for the Jets again he will only be allowed if he is back in top shape . His ankle is already surgically repaired so it should not be an issue. There is no doubt in my mind that the Jets are a better team with him that without him. I can't even believe its a topic for discussion. Are you telling me that Dahlstrom and Beaulieu and Bitetto, and Kulikov, are better Dmen than Buff. Not a chance ! Not even close.
- jetsnation

Last I checked, hockey was a TEAM game. Byfuglien plays for one person and that is himself. He's a bully. As much as Kane angered the fanbase in Winnipeg, there was absolutely no reason he should have had his clothes thrown into the shower. Mind you, this is the only public incident we have heard of. I think many of the young players did not like Byfuglien due to him bullying them. As far as Buff is concerned, its addition by subtraction.

Further to this, Beaulieu, Dahltsrom, Bitetto and to a lesser extent Kulikov do not take as many penalties as Byfuglien. I bet that if I pulled up the stats, those four players combined have taken less penalties than Byfuglien did alone, this time last year.

I also hear Maurice getting a lot of credit for his lineup decisions but if Little doesn't get hurt are we still watching Wheeler with Scheiffele and the ineffective Laine and Little combination, his hand being forced may be the only reason we're seeing anything different with this lineup.
- JetFuel

making adjustments based on injury is a process players can respect and trust. It is a legitimate way to manage the lineup with defensible reasons behind the process.

Last I checked, hockey was a TEAM game. Byfuglien plays for one person and that is himself. He's a bully. As much as Kane angered the fanbase in Winnipeg, there was absolutely no reason he should have had his clothes thrown into the shower. Mind you, this is the only public incident we have heard of. I think many of the young players did not like Byfuglien due to him bullying them. As far as Buff is concerned, its addition by subtraction.
- TheUltimateJet

uuhm... Kane is the ultimate 'plays for himself' player in the league. The reason the clothes ended up in the shower was selfishness and non-team decision by Kane to disregard the dress code the rest of the team decided on. Kane undermined the team and the leadership drew a line. Don't try to make turn this into something other than it was.

Buff would be a huge add to the blueline if healthy and reasonably fit. I have some doubt about whether he wants to play again for the Jets organization.

uuhm... Kane is the ultimate 'plays for himself' player in the league. The reason the clothes ended up in the shower was selfishness and non-team decision by Kane to disregard the dress code the rest of the team decided on. Kane undermined the team and the leadership drew a line. Don't try to make turn this into something other than it was.

Buff would be a huge add to the blueline if healthy and reasonably fit. I have some doubt about whether he wants to play again for the Jets organization.
- 2.0

Addressing the clothing issue was Maurice's job. Byfuglien bullied Kane and that is exactly what it was!

How about this for acquiring a second line center...

to Chicago - Buff + Samberg (if there is doubt about him signing)
to Wpg - Toews (2m retained by Chicago)

The cap is reasonably balanced for both teams, Toews may be open to Wpg, Buff may be open to Chicago. Fresh start for both. Samberg - will he sign? Jets trade two players that they may not be able to keep to get 3.5 years of JT.

31yo JT would be relieved of a lot of burden and I suspect would have an impact similar to Butch Goring and the 1980 islanders.

How about this for acquiring a second line center...

to Chicago - Buff + Samberg (if there is doubt about him signing)
to Wpg - Toews (2m retained by Chicago)

The cap is reasonably balanced for both teams, Toews may be open to Wpg, Buff may be open to Chicago. Fresh start for both. Samberg - will he sign? Jets trade two players that they may not be able to keep to get 3.5 years of JT.

31yo JT would be relieved of a lot of burden and I suspect would have an impact similar to Butch Goring and the 1980 islanders.
- 2.0

Instead of Samberg, why not Vesalainen? We are stock piled with wingers on the big club and I don't foresee Vesalainen beating out Ehlers, Roslovic, Laine or Connor for a job in the next 5 years.

How about this for acquiring a second line center...

to Chicago - Buff + Samberg (if there is doubt about him signing)
to Wpg - Toews (2m retained by Chicago)

The cap is reasonably balanced for both teams, Toews may be open to Wpg, Buff may be open to Chicago. Fresh start for both. Samberg - will he sign? Jets trade two players that they may not be able to keep to get 3.5 years of JT.

31yo JT would be relieved of a lot of burden and I suspect would have an impact similar to Butch Goring and the 1980 islanders.
- 2.0

The Jets should theoretically have close to 13 million of cap space by the trade deadline, with Byfuglien not returning, Little most likely out for the season and the 1 million of LTIR we can use from Kulikov. With the way the Hellebyuck is playing we might have a legit shot at the cup. I say we go big, like former MVP Taylor Hall big.

The trade I would suggest:

To NJ: 2021 first round pick, Kristian Vesalainen, Sami Niku, Jansen Harkins, & Dustin Byfuglien

To WPG: Taylor Hall, Sami Vatanen

Addressing the clothing issue was Maurice's job. Byfuglien bullied Kane and that is exactly what it was!
- TheUltimateJet

The players decide the dress code and do you really think this was the first time it was an issue that this happened?

I don't believe for a second that Kane was a victim in this. Conflict escalated until the tracksuit moment and Chevy made the decision to resolve it by trading him.

It wasn't for sport - as bullying usually is - that the clothes were thrown in the shower, it was about Kane's disregard for the players solidarity. This is the players responsibility and Kane had a responsibility to respect what was decided. It was a policing action by Buff that was necessary. This action defined the Jets push for excellence for the next few years.

Instead of Samberg, why not Vesalainen? We are stock piled with wingers on the big club and I don't foresee Vesalainen beating out Ehlers, Roslovic, Laine or Connor for a job in the next 5 years.
- TheUltimateJet

I don't have a problem moving Vesalainen for the right return. I really hope Samberg signs and reaches his potential with the Jets but if there is doubt about him signing then this is the time to move him before he goes back into the draft. Trading him would be much less costly than losing him to the draft.

The players decide the dress code and do you really think this was the first time it was an issue that this happened?

I don't believe for a second that Kane was a victim in this. Conflict escalated until the tracksuit moment and Chevy made the decision to resolve it by trading him.

It wasn't for sport - as bullying usually is - that the clothes were thrown in the shower, it was about Kane's disregard for the players solidarity. This is the players responsibility and Kane had a responsibility to respect what was decided. It was a policing action by Buff that was necessary. This action defined the Jets push for excellence for the next few years.
- 2.0

What gave Byfuglien the authority to throw a co-workers clothes into the shower? No one ever heard Kane's side to the ordeal. Perhaps he was being ostracized for something else and was purposely not given the memo about the clothes? Kane never spoke of the event and the only news that came out was from the Jets.

Its difficult to get your opinion heard when you have been victimized.

What gave Byfuglien the authority to throw a co-workers clothes into the shower? No one ever heard Kane's side to the ordeal. Perhaps he was being ostracized for something else and was purposely not given the memo about the clothes? Kane never spoke of the event and the only news that came out was from the Jets.

Its difficult to get your opinion heard when you have been victimized.
- TheUltimateJet

It was done as a joke. Kane showed up against the dress code in a tracksuit. It was good humour to toss the tracksuit into the hot tub and it was a good laugh in the dressing room. However, instead of laughing along with them, Kane threw a fit. That's completely the wrong way to act when someone pranks you ( and breaking code meant it was a prank well deserved). Kane was the one in the wrong here. These guys are grown men or at least we thought so. It was not bullying.

What gave Byfuglien the authority to throw a co-workers clothes into the shower? No one ever heard Kane's side to the ordeal. Perhaps he was being ostracized for something else and was purposely not given the memo about the clothes? Kane never spoke of the event and the only news that came out was from the Jets.

Its difficult to get your opinion heard when you have been victimized.
- TheUltimateJet

I am sure Kane will gain lots of sympathy when he publishes his memoirs.

I am sure Kane will gain lots of sympathy when he publishes his memoirs.
- 2.0

One thing is for sure, I am pretty certain that I would not want to work with either JetsNation or 2.0. I might be at the brunt end of "jokes" that are in reality acts of bullying. I would not want my clothes thrown into a hot tub or shower, especially in the case I missed a memorandum on what our collective dress code is going to be.

I know for myself, I would feel better about the situation if someone in the leadership group came and had a respectful conversation about what occurred.

Like I said previously, this was the only PUBLIC incident we are aware of. Perhaps Kane was being victimized in other ways by Byfuglien that we are not aware of. I know Kane is a jerk, but that does not excuse what happened to him. Perhaps Kane was a jerk in direct response to how he was being treated? We will never know.

One thing is for sure, I am pretty certain that I would not want to work with either JetsNation or 2.0. I might be at the brunt end of "jokes" that are in reality acts of bullying. I would not want my clothes thrown into a hot tub or shower, especially in the case I missed a memorandum on what our collective dress code is going to be.

I know for myself, I would feel better about the situation if someone in the leadership group came and had a respectful conversation about what occurred.

Like I said previously, this was the only PUBLIC incident we are aware of. Perhaps Kane was being victimized in other ways by Byfuglien that we are not aware of. I know Kane is a jerk, but that does not excuse what happened to him. Perhaps Kane was a jerk in direct response to how he was being treated? We will never know.
- TheUltimateJet

that is quite a leap to judgement

One thing is for sure, I am pretty certain that I would not want to work with either JetsNation or 2.0. I might be at the brunt end of "jokes" that are in reality acts of bullying. I would not want my clothes thrown into a hot tub or shower, especially in the case I missed a memorandum on what our collective dress code is going to be.

I know for myself, I would feel better about the situation if someone in the leadership group came and had a respectful conversation about what occurred.

Like I said previously, this was the only PUBLIC incident we are aware of. Perhaps Kane was being victimized in other ways by Byfuglien that we are not aware of. I know Kane is a jerk, but that does not excuse what happened to him. Perhaps Kane was a jerk in direct response to how he was being treated? We will never know.
- TheUltimateJet

There is no daily "memorandum" .....Players are required to wear jackets, ties and dress pants to all Club games and while travelling to and from such games unless otherwise specified by the Head Coach or General Manager.” Its part of the collective bargaining agreement since like 2005.

Kane ignored it and was pranked.

What gave Byfuglien the authority to throw a co-workers clothes into the shower? No one ever heard Kane's side to the ordeal. Perhaps he was being ostracized for something else and was purposely not given the memo about the clothes? Kane never spoke of the event and the only news that came out was from the Jets.

Its difficult to get your opinion heard when you have been victimized.
- TheUltimateJet

Yeah, Kane was victimized.

One thing is for sure, I am pretty certain that I would not want to work with either JetsNation or 2.0. I might be at the brunt end of "jokes" that are in reality acts of bullying. I would not want my clothes thrown into a hot tub or shower, especially in the case I missed a memorandum on what our collective dress code is going to be.

I know for myself, I would feel better about the situation if someone in the leadership group came and had a respectful conversation about what occurred.

Like I said previously, this was the only PUBLIC incident we are aware of. Perhaps Kane was being victimized in other ways by Byfuglien that we are not aware of. I know Kane is a jerk, but that does not excuse what happened to him. Perhaps Kane was a jerk in direct response to how he was being treated? We will never know.
- TheUltimateJet

Sorry, but there is no response to your nonsense other than laughing. Put me on this list as well.

BTW, some ppl have hinted that is was not Buff who through the track suit into the hot tub and that it was some one else and Buf took the fall. None of us know what the exact events that occurred, all hearsay.