My thinking is that if we're going to use up any of the salary cap, it is going to be for a upgrade on the RH defence.

PLD gives us a new look up front with added grit that we so much needed.

My line-up up front next game:
Copp-Scheifele-Ehlers
Connor-PLD-Wheeler
Stastny-Lowry-Appleton
Perreault-Gustafsson-Lewis

Stastny will get a bigger role than 3rd line when he plays on the PP.

The D I would leave alone, let Poolman get some more recovery time. Injuries will occur.

It's a good feeling to have Harkins, Poolman, Thompson, Vesalainen, Heinola waiting in the wings for their turn. It will come. This team is deep, but could use, as everyone pretty well knows, an up grade on the back-end.

Otherwise, we're pretty well set!
- grahamzky

I don’t think the Jets really need to do anything right now. All they really need is better defensive structure and they will be fine. Right now the Jets are lucky whereas all the teams in this division defensively suck.

This team has no excuses to not get to the Stanley Cup semi-final and furthermore this team should be considered a Stanley Cup favourite!

If the Jets could get Bennett for Niku he would be a great and physical 4th liner. I just don't think the Jets could fit his salary under the cap.
- islansjet

Do you believe that Niku has any value these days ?

Do you believe that Niku has any value these days ?
- bennythehat

If Roslovic was apparently worth a 3rd then Niku might be lucky if he got claimed on waivers.

BTW...after getting more insight into the Laine -PLD trade its appears that PLD was eventually regarded as being worth a little bit more than Laine from both sides by the time the deal got paper as opposed to being worth a lot more in early talks. Roslovic, therefore, was partial compensation ...hence the 3rd vs a 2nd .

I'd do Bennett for both Appleton & Niku but Calgary will never trade Sam with the Jets and Bennett may not be happy being on the 3rd line. Nice to dream about the damage Bennett and Lowry could do together on one line.
- jetsnation

Appleton has shown significant improvement this year, wouldn’t be so sure Bennett’s an improvement over him.

Love how our forward depth is but Heinola needs to get into the line up!!

I still think Beaulieu is playing to make sure he hits the criteria needed for expansion, but once he does our D unit should be;
Forbot-Pionk
Heinola-Morrisey
Stanley-Demelo

Poolman should be first injury fill in or rotate in and out with Stanley.

Once Samberg plays a few games with Moose let’s reevaluate where he’s at.

Niku will at some point be going on waivers, we will see if someone claims him?

If Roslovic was apparently worth a 3rd then Niku might be lucky if he got claimed on waivers.

BTW...after getting more insight into the Laine -PLD trade its appears that PLD was eventually regarded as being worth a little bit more than Laine from both sides by the time the deal got paper as opposed to being worth a lot more in early talks. Roslovic, therefore, was partial compensation ...hence the 3rd vs a 2nd .
- jetsnation

Interesting thing about Roslovic. He’s been playing center for CBJ, since he’s gotten there and after getting an assist in the first period, the man now has gotten 5 points in 6 games with CBJ. His play at center so far cannot look good for Maurice supporters that claimed Roslovic was unable to play center. Just saying.....

Furthermore, I have been watching the CBJ game this afternoon and it does look like Roslovic and Laine have some chemistry. Perhaps Roslovic was the center that Laine needed all along?

Appleton has shown significant improvement this year, wouldn’t be so sure Bennett’s an improvement over him.
- Ross77

Mason Appelton, this guy will be a 40-50 point a year winger with the right center. Saw the lines this morning on twitter. I strongly think that Appelton should be on Dubois wing rather than Lewis as they have it so far.

Mason Appelton, this guy will be a 40-50 point a year winger with the right center. Saw the lines this morning on twitter. I strongly think that Appelton should be on Dubois wing rather than Lewis as they have it so far.
- TheUltimateJet

Maurice must be the only coach in the NHL that will take a 34 year depth player, on a tryout in training camp, and 2 months later put him with a number 1 caliber center.

I don’t think the Jets really need to do anything right now. All they really need is better defensive structure and they will be fine. Right now the Jets are lucky whereas all the teams in this division defensively suck.

This team has no excuses to not get to the Stanley Cup semi-final and furthermore this team should be considered a Stanley Cup favourite!
- TheUltimateJet

Maybe think playoffs first before Stanley Cup. There's a lot of water to pass under the bridge before May rolls around. A lot of things, mainly injuries, could go south.

I kind of agree with you on the "D" right now. If the forwards keep coming back as they have been lately the D looks a lot better, and why wouldn't it? We can tinker with it later when injuries are bound to pile up.

Not sure why you keep knocking, continuously, the Canadian Division, there are some of the most gifted offensive players in the world playing in it. Enjoy the offense. Would you rather see 1-0 games?

Maurice must be the only coach in the NHL that will take a 34 year depth player, on a tryout in training camp, and 2 months later put him with a number 1 caliber center.
- BWJumper

To be fair, that line makes sense. Assuming you’re referring to Lewis with PLD and KFC. He wants a defensive presence there. It makes sense to start, and you can still move Appleton up later

Interesting thing about Roslovic. He’s been playing center for CBJ, since he’s gotten there and after getting an assist in the first period, the man now has gotten 5 points in 6 games with CBJ. His play at center so far cannot look good for Maurice supporters that claimed Roslovic was unable to play center. Just saying.....

Furthermore, I have been watching the CBJ game this afternoon and it does look like Roslovic and Laine have some chemistry. Perhaps Roslovic was the center that Laine needed all along?
- TheUltimateJet

I’ve been watching the game as well and have to disagree. I haven’t liked them together and keep thinking they are both natural right wingers and are both not playing that position.

I’ve been watching the game as well and have to disagree. I haven’t liked them together and keep thinking they are both natural right wingers and are both not playing that position.
- Ross77

Adding to this,
I think Columbus now almost has to over pay a guy like Nugent-Hopkins if he gets to free agency this summer to add some center depth.

I’ve been watching the game as well and have to disagree. I haven’t liked them together and keep thinking they are both natural right wingers and are both not playing that position.
- Ross77

Idk if I like them together either, think Laine should probably be with Domi but Atkinson isn't the guy to have on the other wing either.

Personally I think Jack is much better at center and he looks better than he ever did on the wing here, will take him some time to work the kinks out since he hasn't played there much in the last couple years.

Adding to this,
I think Columbus now almost has to over pay a guy like Nugent-Hopkins if he gets to free agency this summer to add some center depth.
- Ross77

Edmonton would be crazy to let RNH go.

Roslovic - 42% in the face off circle.

Roslovic - 42% in the face off circle.
- bennythehat

Well he's terrible then, back to the wing or healthy scratch even.. Lol

He's got a goal and 5 assists and is +2 in 6 games with no penalties taken, faceoff win% aside he's doing okay for the Jackets so far.

Edmonton would be crazy to let RNH go.
- JetFuel

Holloway is going to be a great winger for Mcdavid and they have to spend on their blue line and in net.

Maybe think playoffs first before Stanley Cup. There's a lot of water to pass under the bridge before May rolls around. A lot of things, mainly injuries, could go south.

I kind of agree with you on the "D" right now. If the forwards keep coming back as they have been lately the D looks a lot better, and why wouldn't it? We can tinker with it later when injuries are bound to pile up.

Not sure why you keep knocking, continuously, the Canadian Division, there are some of the most gifted offensive players in the world playing in it. Enjoy the offense. Would you rather see 1-0 games?
- grahamzky

Not knocking the division, just stating that it’s weak and as such Maurice should be able to win it. If he cannot win it, then it’s a major indictment on this teams coaching. Would love to see a banner in the MTS Center saying we won the division. And, if the playoffs are in question then we definitely have problems!

Roslovic - 42% in the face off circle.
- bennythehat

Meh. A faceoff is no different than any other 50/50 puck battle. Only everyone starts standing still

Not knocking the division, just stating that it’s weak and as such Maurice should be able to win it. If he cannot win it, then it’s a major indictment on this teams coaching. Would love to see a banner in the MTS Center saying we won the division. And, if the playoffs are in question then we definitely have problems!
- TheUltimateJet

I don’t think the North division is anywhere close to as weak as the west and central this year. The east is clearly the toughest.

I don’t think the North division is anywhere close to as weak as the west and central this year. The east is clearly the toughest.
- Ross77

Comparing the Jets to their divisional rivals, name me one team that is better than them.

Not knocking the division, just stating that it’s weak and as such Maurice should be able to win it. If he cannot win it, then it’s a major indictment on this teams coaching. Would love to see a banner in the MTS Center saying we won the division. And, if the playoffs are in question then we definitely have problems!
- TheUltimateJet

Like I thought, you keep talking up the Jets like they are the 50/60' Montreal Canadiens - putting it all on, "if they don't win, it's all the coach's fault."

The Jets have a good team - and if the chips fall in place, they could: (a) make the playoffs; and (b) do some damage in the playoffs. That's it for now! Don't get carried away and then jump off the ship later.

Let me guess, you are not in management!

Comparing the Jets to their divisional rivals, name me one team that is better than them.
- TheUltimateJet

We won't know until later - but the Habs (with their defence) and Leafs (with their offense) are going to be very tough to beat. I just hope for the best.

My feeling is that with the addition of PLD - and the Jets strength down the middle - that our team got a whole lot better - and we now have a decent chance to win.

But who adds who down the stretch? Who gets hurt? Could be the TSN turning points!

Holloway is going to be a great winger for Mcdavid and they have to spend on their blue line and in net.
- Ross77

RNH is a great winger now though and the best backup 2C possible, they'd be crazy to let go of that. As Jets fans we know all too well what it's like to not have enough quality centers.

It's not lack of spending at those positions that's hurting them, it's Klefbom's injury and some other guys making too much like Neal, Kassian, etc that are what's really screwing the Oilers.
Holland can't be blamed for the Lucic fiasco or the Koskinen signing but he signed Kassian, Barrie and Archibald, had that cap space been used on some different guys they might be in a better position now.

I don’t think the Jets really need to do anything right now. All they really need is better defensive structure and they will be fine. Right now the Jets are lucky whereas all the teams in this division defensively suck.

This team has no excuses to not get to the Stanley Cup semi-final and furthermore this team should be considered a Stanley Cup favourite!
- TheUltimateJet

I agree that they need better overall defensive structure but still think they need at least one more top 4 dman, Heinola could replace Morrissey if he got hurt but if Pionk got injured they'd be pretty screwed.