With the trade deadline looming and the postponed games upcoming, I think the Jets internal deadline should be this weekend. Maximize the return by eating up quarantine during the slow week.
- Jetlag

Jets should be doing everything they can to win the cup this year.

Looking at the rest of the divisions and seeing our central divisions rivals, right now the following are all in playoff positions: Nashville, Colorado, Minnesota, St. Louis and Winnipeg with Chicago and Arizona either tied or one point of the playoffs in their divisions. So essentially every team in the central outside of Dallas (mostly due to injury) could theoretically make the playoffs this year.

Jets will never again have such an easy route to the finals as they will this year!

So maybe next season:

Morrissey- "Mr X"
Stanley-Pionk
Samberg - Heinola
Forbort? - not bad!
But who will be "Mr X?"

???

So due the Canucks situation looks like the Jets don't play again, after tonight, until next Thursday. That's the pits, isn't it?
- grahamzky

Beaulieu or Poolman.

Unless the Jets fire Maurice, fans are delusional that Samberg and Heinola will be on the opening day roster.

Chevy won't let any of their current d corp go. That means trading an asset to protect DeMelo or Stanley from being taken by Seattle They will also re-sign Forbort for sure because they like him paired with Pionk. Maurice trusts Poolman (see his 17 mins of avg icetime) so they will probably bring him back too.
So opening day roster is

Morrissey-Beaulieu/Poolman
Forbort-Pionk
Stanley-DeMelo

Beaulieu or Poolman.

Unless the Jets fire Maurice, fans are delusional that Samberg and Heinola will be on the opening day roster.

Chevy won't let any of their current d corp go. That means trading an asset to protect DeMelo or Stanley from being taken by Seattle They will also re-sign Forbort for sure because they like him paired with Pionk. Maurice trusts Poolman (see his 17 mins of avg icetime) so they will probably bring him back too.
So opening day roster is

Morrissey-Beaulieu/Poolman
Forbort-Pionk
Stanley-DeMelo
- BWJumper

Just to think if Sbisa was not taken on waivers, he would have been the first man up and we would have never seen Logan Stanley this year. That third pairing would have been Sbisa-DeMelo....

I actually want to send David Poile flowers for taking Sbisa because we know how much Maurice loves veterans.

Thank you David!!!

Just to think if Sbisa was not taken on waivers, he would have been the first man up and we would have never seen Logan Stanley this year. That third pairing would have been Sbisa-DeMelo....

I actually want to send David Poile flowers for taking Sbisa because we know how much Maurice loves veterans.

Thank you David!!!
- TheUltimateJet

Different topic, but see the Jets game against Ottawa from May 7 is being played this Monday, April 5.

That's great! We'd better win to bank some points.

Just to think if Sbisa was not taken on waivers, he would have been the first man up and we would have never seen Logan Stanley this year. That third pairing would have been Sbisa-DeMelo....

I actually want to send David Poile flowers for taking Sbisa because we know how much Maurice loves veterans.

Thank you David!!!
- TheUltimateJet

Speaking of Sbisa, wonder if he'll be returning to sunny Manitoba now that Beaulier is out for the season? Hey, it could happen.

Actually it’s not his fancy stats for one game, his fancy stats for the entire season paint him as our best or 2nd best D with Pionk.
- Ross77

You honestly believe Demelo is the #2 D on this team? And what are "fancy stats", and how are they different from real stats?

Speaking of Sbisa, wonder if he'll be returning to sunny Manitoba now that Beaulier is out for the season? Hey, it could happen.
- grahamzky

I would much rather the Jets play Sami Niku instead. Or better yet, just keep Stanley in the game.

I would much rather the Jets play Sami Niku instead. Or better yet, just keep Stanley in the game.
- TheUltimateJet

Oh I'm pretty sure you'll see Stanley remain in the line-up, but doubt Niku in the playoffs.

Different rules in playoffs, need bigger, tougher players. Samberg tough? Oleksiak, where are you? (if Dallas out of contention)

Niku is so far down the depth chart, that an injured Beaulieu is probably ahead of him.

For all you hockey geniuses out there....if Chevy stopped signing these low cost veterans, than Maurice would have to play the youngsters, wouldn’t he ? Coach has to deal with the players that the GM gives him.

Niku is so far down the depth chart, that an injured Beaulieu is probably ahead of him.

For all you hockey geniuses out there....if Chevy stopped signing these low cost veterans, than Maurice would have to play the youngsters, wouldn’t he ? Coach has to deal with the players that the GM gives him.
- bennythehat

Chevy signs guys like Thompson, Beaulieu, Sbisa, Lewis to be injury replacement players not to be guaranteed roster spots, that's all on Maurice.

Chevy signs guys like Thompson, Beaulieu, Sbisa, Lewis to be injury replacement players not to be guaranteed roster spots, that's all on Maurice.
- BWJumper

If you listen to a few interviews from Pascal Vincent then you would hear the Moose coach's views on where guys like Ves , Samberg, Perfetti, etc stand in terms of development. The bottom line is he thinks none of them are yet ready for the NHL and if he is telling Maurice the same thing then you really can't blame Maurice for not playing them. In a shortened season they are obviously saving a year on Heinola because that extra few million and year saved could come in useful down the road.That is likely Chevy's decision. I doubt you'll see much of Perfetti next year either. He needs a lot more strength to play in the majors.

Thompson and Lewis have played quite well with Perreault on that 4th line. So really the only real player in question might be as to why Harkins and Gus are not rotated into the lineup more often. One would wonder why not have the fresh legs in there once in a while and rest one of those 4th line vets. Maybe the added game against Ottawa might see that change. You might also see Niku again in that game. I also think Gus should get some more ice time. I see nothing wrong with the Perrault - Gus- Harkins line as an option against Ottawa. The one downside of either Gus or Harkins is that Lewis and Thompson have been excellent on the PK. Not sure where Harkins or Gus fit in that role

On another note. After some early season success, we are now seeing Fobert as one of the biggest weak links on the Jets D. Yes, he blocks a ton of shots, something he has excelled at for many years in the NHL. The downside is he is painfully slow on D, is not much of an offensive weapon at all , and his outlet pass choices are beyond terrible. I can't believe how many times he missed a Jet on the fly down the right side. He's probably in the lineup just for his blocks especially on PK.

https://www.tsn.ca/detroi...-prospects-list-1.1617205

Interesting that Lundell is #6 and Krebs also high on the list. Some of it had to do with NHL readiness. Perfetti #27 might not be till 2023 as I have stated several times.

If you listen to a few interviews from Pascal Vincent then you would hear the Moose coach's views on where guys like Ves , Samberg, Perfetti, etc stand in terms of development. The bottom line is he thinks none of them are yet ready for the NHL and if he is telling Maurice the same thing then you really can't blame Maurice for not playing them. In a shortened season they are obviously saving a year on Heinola because that extra few million and year saved could come in useful down the road.That is likely Chevy's decision. I doubt you'll see much of Perfetti next year either. He needs a lot more strength to play in the majors.

Thompson and Lewis have played quite well with Perreault on that 4th line. So really the only real player in question might be as to why Harkins and Gus are not rotated into the lineup more often. One would wonder why not have the fresh legs in there once in a while and rest one of those 4th line vets. Maybe the added game against Ottawa might see that change. You might also see Niku again in that game. I also think Gus should get some more ice time. I see nothing wrong with the Perrault - Gus- Harkins line as an option against Ottawa. The one downside of either Gus or Harkins is that Lewis and Thompson have been excellent on the PK. Not sure where Harkins or Gus fit in that role
- jetsnation

Pascal Vincent is just towing the company line. In all reality, I think he’s done a good job developing these players and in reality should be the Jets head coach.

Pascal Vincent is just towing the company line. In all reality, I think he’s done a good job developing these players and in reality should be the Jets head coach.
- TheUltimateJet

If by " towing the company line " you mean using Maurice's system then yes. However when he gets interviewed about his thoughts on various players and their level of development then it's all him and he speaks his mind a lot more than Maurice or Chevy.

https://illegalcurve.com/...-winnipeg-jets-prospects/

Demelo has picked it up after a slow start and is looking like the Demelo of last year.

Just need a Buf / Shea Weber rhs type of player on the backend to compliment the current D. I agree with the previous poster that Forbart is slow as molasses in January, but block shots. Demelo is a good defensive defenceman, but forget about contributing to any offense. Pionk and Morrisey are doing what they are expected to do. Stanley is a newbie and showing good promise but needs playing time for more NHL experience. Poolman is steady but not adding a whole lot in offense.

So, the Jets are reliant on Morrisey and Pionk for the offensive element but it is clearly not sufficient. And please don't tell me Niku is the missing link that is currently being blocked by Maurice as clearly that is not the case.

Too bad Buf isn't bored with ice fishing and had been working out........... and get picked up by a team with a good chance to win and come in and play the remainder of the year / playoffs and win another cup. I realize I am dreaming.

Solid game last night. Fun to watch. I feel like TOR and WPG match up closely at so many key positions, but TOR is just slightly superior (nearly) across the board

Matthews > Scheifele
Reilly > Morrissey
Nylander > Ehlers
Tavares > Dubois
Marner > Connor

Difference is in net. Hellebyuck is a stud. Assuming Campbell comes back to earth, or Freddie returns, Jets have an advantage there

I would say WPG is easily second best in the division. EDM is way too thin

Solid game last night. Fun to watch. I feel like TOR and WPG match up closely at so many key positions, but TOR is just slightly superior (nearly) across the board

Matthews > Scheifele
Reilly > Morrissey
Nylander > Ehlers
Tavares > Dubois
Marner > Connor

Difference is in net. Hellebyuck is a stud. Assuming Campbell comes back to earth, or Freddie returns, Jets have an advantage there

I would say WPG is easily second best in the division. EDM is way too thin
- AxlRose91

Idk, Ehlers is better then Nylander imo or at the very least they're equal but agree on the rest, the Leafs have the better players in a lot of spots in the lineup.

On another note. After some early season success, we are now seeing Fobert as one of the biggest weak links on the Jets D. Yes, he blocks a ton of shots, something he has excelled at for many years in the NHL. The downside is he is painfully slow on D, is not much of an offensive weapon at all , and his outlet pass choices are beyond terrible. I can't believe how many times he missed a Jet on the fly down the right side. He's probably in the lineup just for his blocks especially on PK.
- jetsnation

Forbort is slow but he's slow and steady, his passing has been way better then I expected, haven't seen too many of these missed passes to Jets on the fly you're referring to.

The Jets biggest weak link on D is DeMelo and it isn't even close imo, he's as slow or slower then Forbort but he doesn't have the size, strength or reach to make it for it, he made a few bad and dangerous passes last night and Stanley covered for him more then once, he made a nice play on a PK to get the puck out though. I hope they don't protect him and Seattle wants him, he's an overpaid 3rd pairing dman.

So maybe next season:

Morrissey- "Mr X"
Stanley-Pionk
Samberg - Heinola
Forbort? - not bad!
But who will be "Mr X?"

???

So due the Canucks situation looks like the Jets don't play again, after tonight, until next Thursday. That's the pits, isn't it?
- grahamzky

I think Mr.X as you put it will be one of Heinola or Samberg, pretty sure both have been playing a fair amount on their offhand with the Moose.

Really not sure we see a big name external add on defense to start next season but we'll see, maybe I'll be wrong but I'm thinking it's going to be this same D core minus Forbort and maybe minus Poolman as well with Heinola and Samberg brought in and both skating as top 6 regulars, unless there's a big TDL trade where one of Samberg/Heinola is traded or someone like Stanley, DeMelo, Beaulieu is lost or traded to Seattle I think the Jets defense next season will be something like this:

Morrissey-Samberg
Stanley-Pionk
Heinola-Demelo
Beaulieu

All just guessing on my part and maybe I'll be very wrong, Forbort and Poolman leave in free agency and Niku along with some other asset(s) are traded to Seattle, will be interesting to see what happens between now and the start of next season with the personnel on the Jets defense.

You honestly believe Demelo is the #2 D on this team? And what are "fancy stats", and how are they different from real stats?
- bikeguy99

Yes I do!! 100%.
And you are right, fancy stats do not differ from real ones
So all the stats that prove how Demelo is better than all other jets D like limiting shots, high danger chances, is better at zone exits and entries and so on. Yes, I whole heartedly believe based on stats and my eyes that he is our 2nd best D behind Pionk. And to be more honest, it’s not even close.
Stanley has done well in a sheltered role, with limited minutes. I will say that.

Niku is so far down the depth chart, that an injured Beaulieu is probably ahead of him.

For all you hockey geniuses out there....if Chevy stopped signing these low cost veterans, than Maurice would have to play the youngsters, wouldn’t he ? Coach has to deal with the players that the GM gives him.
- bennythehat

This is true but do we really know who makes these decisions? If Maurice is complaining to his best pal Chipman and says this guy is available and then chipman walks down the hall and orders his GM to go get him, who’s to blame?

If you listen to a few interviews from Pascal Vincent then you would hear the Moose coach's views on where guys like Ves , Samberg, Perfetti, etc stand in terms of development. The bottom line is he thinks none of them are yet ready for the NHL and if he is telling Maurice the same thing then you really can't blame Maurice for not playing them. In a shortened season they are obviously saving a year on Heinola because that extra few million and year saved could come in useful down the road.That is likely Chevy's decision. I doubt you'll see much of Perfetti next year either. He needs a lot more strength to play in the majors.

Thompson and Lewis have played quite well with Perreault on that 4th line. So really the only real player in question might be as to why Harkins and Gus are not rotated into the lineup more often. One would wonder why not have the fresh legs in there once in a while and rest one of those 4th line vets. Maybe the added game against Ottawa might see that change. You might also see Niku again in that game. I also think Gus should get some more ice time. I see nothing wrong with the Perrault - Gus- Harkins line as an option against Ottawa. The one downside of either Gus or Harkins is that Lewis and Thompson have been excellent on the PK. Not sure where Harkins or Gus fit in that role
- jetsnation

I’ve stopped believing anything that a Jet employee says in press conferences a long time ago. They all tow the company line!!! Vincent will say what he’s told to say!! He will say pass along whatever message they want him to. You can’t honestly believe he would go against Maurice and say something like “ Heinola is more than ready and I’m not sure why he’s still down here”
Maurice has been caught lying so many times and contradicting himself I’ve lost count.

On another note. After some early season success, we are now seeing Fobert as one of the biggest weak links on the Jets D. Yes, he blocks a ton of shots, something he has excelled at for many years in the NHL. The downside is he is painfully slow on D, is not much of an offensive weapon at all , and his outlet pass choices are beyond terrible. I can't believe how many times he missed a Jet on the fly down the right side. He's probably in the lineup just for his blocks especially on PK.
- jetsnation

I said this a long time ago and get heckled in here for it!!
He is to slow for faster teams!!!! Everyone came on here and said Demelo was worse lol.

Solid game last night. Fun to watch. I feel like TOR and WPG match up closely at so many key positions, but TOR is just slightly superior (nearly) across the board

Matthews > Scheifele -correct
Reilly > Morrissey -change to Pionk and we win
Nylander > Ehlers - not even close, Ehlers is on par with Marner, check your anylitics
Tavares > Dubois - not a chance, don’t be fooled by PLD slow start here, and look back to last years play in round
Marner > Connor -yes
Our third line >>>>>your third line

Difference is in net. Hellebyuck is a stud. Assuming Campbell comes back to earth, or Freddie returns, Jets have an advantage there

I would say WPG is easily second best in the division. EDM is way too thin
- AxlRose91

See changes above,
Reality is, a series will come down to bounces, special teams and a hot goalie.
I do really like Hyman and Muzzin for you guys to, both great players. I would value Muzzin and Hyman more than Reily and Nylander