Anthony Travalgia: Jets sign Jansen Harkins; where does he fit? On Tuesday, the Jets signed Jansen Harkins to a two-year one-way contract.

Glad to have Harkins back. Where he fits in will depend a lot on the status of Roslovic and Perreault. Harkins could slot in higher in the lineup if there are injuries. A good Swiss Army Knife type of player.

He has played Center his whole life. I see him long term battling Gustafson for 3rd or 4th line Center spots. Also depends on Cop and lowry long term future and Seattle expansion

He has played Center his whole life. I see him long term battling Gustafson for 3rd or 4th line Center spots. Also depends on Cop and lowry long term future and Seattle expansion
- Ross77

Who knows if given the opportunity, he might even out duel Stastny for the second line Center role this year. All depends on coach Maurice and how he deploys these younger guys!

In my opinion these younger guys should be given every opportunity to prove they belong.

Who knows if given the opportunity, he might even out duel Stastny for the second line Center role this year. All depends on coach Maurice and how he deploys these younger guys!

In my opinion these younger guys should be given every opportunity to prove they belong.
- TheUltimateJet

I don’t have Harkins ceiling that high. I like him in a bottom 6 role but I don’t see top 6 talent.

I don’t have Harkins ceiling that high. I like him in a bottom 6 role but I don’t see top 6 talent.
- Ross77

It's okay to think that way. I respect your opinion.

It's okay to think that way. I respect your opinion.
- TheUltimateJet

👍
I’d be very happy to be wrong on this one though

The 2015 line should be reunited as a 3rd/4th line. It would allow the Jets to have Copp, Lowry and Thompson/Perreault play together. Hopefully one of Ves Gustafsson or Virtanen will be ready to move up to the Jets.

Harkins is a very solid hockey player. Best suited for 7-12 forward spot but NEEDS to play.
Good size, good skater, good hands....needs to play!!!!!! More important than Perrault at this time .

So Buff met with Guerin and could play for the Wild. Still, a longshot but sounds like Buff still has some desire to play. While I don't like the idea of him being placed with a divisional opponent it would be fun to have him back in the NHL. Such a unique player. Always talking, always nagging the opponent players, etc etc. Miss the big guy.

So Buff met with Guerin and could play for the Wild. Still, a longshot but sounds like Buff still has some desire to play. While I don't like the idea of him being placed with a divisional opponent it would be fun to have him back in the NHL. Such a unique player. Always talking, always nagging the opponent players, etc etc. Miss the big guy.
- jetsnation

I miss the big guy too. I think you should write him a letter on our behalf telling him how much we miss him. I am sure the big fella would appreciate the sentiment.

Who knows if given the opportunity, he might even out duel Stastny for the second line Center role this year. All depends on coach Maurice and how he deploys these younger guys!

In my opinion these younger guys should be given every opportunity to prove they belong.
- TheUltimateJet

Wonder what Patrik would think if Maurice said "Oh Patrik, Harkins will be your centre tonight?"

Liked what I saw of Harkins last season, can see the possibility of him replacing Lowry as 3rd line C next season. Hopefully he shows well again this season - if we actually have one!

Wonder what Patrik would think if Maurice said "Oh Patrik, Harkins will be your centre tonight?"

Liked what I saw of Harkins last season, can see the possibility of him replacing Lowry as 3rd line C next season. Hopefully he shows well again this season - if we actually have one!
- grahamzky

Harkins is a lot like Perreault ( when Perreault was actually a good player) in his style and tenacity. Also has a scoring touch. Basically will be a Perreault replacement who moves up and down the lineup based on injuries etc. In a toolbox, Harkins would be the adjustable wrench.

Wonder what Patrik would think if Maurice said "Oh Patrik, Harkins will be your centre tonight?"

Liked what I saw of Harkins last season, can see the possibility of him replacing Lowry as 3rd line C next season. Hopefully he shows well again this season - if we actually have one!
- grahamzky

From my perspective, we don't really know what Harkins is. The only way to find out is by giving him an opportunity. Is Maurice going to give him that? So far history says no.

Also based on ice time alone, Lowry is our second line Center.

Hypothetical- Roslovic signs an offer sheet for 3m. 2nd round pick (?) as compensation. Do we match the offer and where does the cap space come from?

Hypothetical- Roslovic signs an offer sheet for 3m. 2nd round pick (?) as compensation. Do we match the offer and where does the cap space come from?
- 2.0

In my opinion if a team signs Jack to 3 million a year. I say goodbye Jack. Realistically speaking no team is going to offer sheet Jack, especially when there are UFA's like Duclair and Athanasiou sitting there. I will even include Galchenyuk signing yesterday. If you can tell me something unique that Jack brings in comparison to those players, I am very interested to hear about it!

Hypothetical- Roslovic signs an offer sheet for 3m. 2nd round pick (?) as compensation. Do we match the offer and where does the cap space come from?
- 2.0

Hard to say what the market is for Jack. He is talented, with lots of upside. I match. Others wouldn't, I understand. My hope is that Jack is still a Jet when play begins.

Cap space? We're allowed to go 10% over the cap during the off-season. At least that's my understanding.

From my perspective, we don't really know what Harkins is. The only way to find out is by giving him an opportunity. Is Maurice going to give him that? So far history says no.

Also based on ice time alone, Lowry is our second line Center.
- TheUltimateJet

Injuries always are a factor and Harins will get his chance IF he is deserving off it. After that, it's up to him to show he belongs in the big show.

Forget the ice time, Stastny is the 2nd line centre on the Winnipeg Jets. For this year. And then hopefully "Goal" Perfetti.

I miss the big guy too. I think you should write him a letter on our behalf telling him how much we miss him. I am sure the big fella would appreciate the sentiment.
- TheUltimateJet

I would be booing him if he was to play for any team other than ours. Buff has some explaining to do, before I can change my mind about his departure.

The 2015 line should be reunited as a 3rd/4th line. It would allow the Jets to have Copp, Lowry and Thompson/Perreault play together. Hopefully one of Ves Gustafsson or Virtanen will be ready to move up to the Jets.
- islansjet

I don't see any Ves or Gus moving up. At least not for any reason other then the fact that they were good prospects at one point in time. Both have yet to prove that they can contribute in the NHL. 0.5ppg on a good AHL team, while playing a large role isn't giving me much confidence in them. Especially when you look at their skating deficiencies. Jets have better options in my opinion, and I could see these two in particular being leapfrogged by the latest draft additions.

So Buff met with Guerin and could play for the Wild. Still, a longshot but sounds like Buff still has some desire to play. While I don't like the idea of him being placed with a divisional opponent it would be fun to have him back in the NHL. Such a unique player. Always talking, always nagging the opponent players, etc etc. Miss the big guy.
- jetsnation

I read it differently, I hear the likelihood of him playing again is still slim to none but who knows maybe he pulls a Justin Williams and decides to come back a month before playoffs to make a quick million?

It’s amazing how fast TSN can the twitter machine on fire with Laine talk and then weeks later crickets

anyone else catch Todd Woodcroft's interview on 1290?

most interesting part; how many meetings Maurice and Wheeler have behind closed doors, just the two of them where no other players or coaches are allowed in. He tried to paint it like its a great thing and that he has never seen as close a relationship between a captain and coach.

I don't see it that way at all!!! I see it as confirmation, Wheeler coaches this team!! and it doesn't matter if Ehlers is the far superior choice right on top PP, he wont get it until Wheeler decides to step down to 2nd PP. If Wheeler wants to continue playing with Shief, well that's where he'll be.

like it or not we are tied to the Coaching duo of Wheels and Pomo

anyone else catch Todd Woodcroft's interview on 1290?

most interesting part; how many meetings Maurice and Wheeler have behind closed doors, just the two of them where no other players or coaches are allowed in. He tried to paint it like its a great thing and that he has never seen as close a relationship between a captain and coach.

I don't see it that way at all!!! I see it as confirmation, Wheeler coaches this team!! and it doesn't matter if Ehlers is the far superior choice right on top PP, he wont get it until Wheeler decides to step down to 2nd PP. If Wheeler wants to continue playing with Shief, well that's where he'll be.

like it or not we are tied to the Coaching duo of Wheels and Pomo
- Ross77

could be right but could also be that ruffled feathers need continual smoothing.

Our high school football team (the four or five time defending league champs) let some small issues grow and the next thing was that the a grade 12 group including the defensive captain, QB and best receiver chose play volleyball rather than go to playoff game. The coaches and managers have since started to be very deliberate and have more conversations with the leaders on the team to quash fires early. High maintenance players are a drain on team performance, robbing the whole team of a higher gear when it is needed.

Glad to have Harkins back. I liked everything I saw out of him last season. No idea what his ceiling is, but I’d venture a guess that he can be a solid 3rd liner. He won’t be in competition with Gustafsson after this season, Gus is on a tear over seas and has always had a higher ceiling than most people realize.
Harkins being another Perreault is a bit of a pipe dream as well, but I love the confidence!

Worth noting: Perfetti, Gustafsson, and Vesalainen can all very realistically make big pushes for their own spots in the lineup. I don’t think it would matter to the bench staff, but it’s possible. Perfetti looks ready out of the box, and Gus and Ves had a very strong finish to last season once they were put in offensive roles.


As it stands right now, I’m gonna give the best possible lineup pitch, and the “Paul Maurice” lineup projection:

Ideal:
Copp-Scheifele-Laine
Connor-Stastny-Wheeler
EHLERS***-Lowry-Roslovic
Perreault-Harkins-Appleton
Thompson

Morrissey-DeMelo
Heinola-Pionk
Samberg-Poolman
Forbort-Beaulieu

Paul Maurice:
Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler
Ehlers-Stastny-Laine
Copp-Lowry-Perreault
Roslovic-Thompson-Appleton
Harkins

Morrissey-DeMelo
Forbort-Pionk
Beaulieu-Poolman
Sbisa