Anthony Travalgia: No Wheeler, no problem for the Jets In their first game without captain Blake Wheeler who has been diagnosed with a concussion, the Jets got production from different parts of their lineup.

I still value Wheeler as a player but especially as a leader. That said, it will be good for this team to play without him as leaders such as Scheifele, Morrissey, Ehlers, Connor, Hellebyck will have more room to 'come into their own' and put a bigger mark on the group. This should translate into greater consistency and attention to detail on the ice.

I still value Wheeler as a player but especially as a leader. That said, it will be good for this team to play without him as leaders such as Scheifele, Morrissey, Ehlers, Connor, Hellebyck will have more room to 'come into their own' and put a bigger mark on the group. This should translate into greater consistency and attention to detail on the ice.
- 2.0

Tons of leaders and talent in that locker-room. Not discounting Wheeler, but the Jets have no issues winning while he recovers. Again, why I think the Jets can manage DeAngelo for a handful of games. I know I have beaten this dead horse long enough, but he is exactly the style of player that pairs perfectly with JoMo's skillset.

Yet another KHL star flops in the NHL - Gusev is having his contract terminated by the Devils.

Yet another KHL star flops in the NHL - Gusev is having his contract terminated by the Devils.
- bennythehat

How was he a flop? No one seems to play well for the Devils!

You seem to be really negative these days.

I still value Wheeler as a player but especially as a leader. That said, it will be good for this team to play without him as leaders such as Scheifele, Morrissey, Ehlers, Connor, Hellebyck will have more room to 'come into their own' and put a bigger mark on the group. This should translate into greater consistency and attention to detail on the ice.
- 2.0

I agree. It's only when the "big personality" is sidelined that we get to see what potential was waiting in the wings.

Watching the ducks/Avs, hoping josh Manson is really available.

Jets win/loss tonight?
Asking for a friend on the pro line...lol

Jets win/loss tonight?
Asking for a friend on the pro line...lol
- LordHumungous

Jets win in OT! You heard it hear first!

Jets win in OT! You heard it hear first!
- grahamzky

What's everyone's hopes/expectations for trade deadline?

I'm hoping for Savard, but expecting someone like Jordie Benn. They need a vet, preferably RH'd and preferably a looming UFA.

Jets win/loss tonight?
Asking for a friend on the pro line...lol
- LordHumungous

Jets underdog at 2.50 for a regulation win, take it. Probably a coin toss tonight in all reality.

What's everyone's hopes/expectations for trade deadline?

I'm hoping for Savard, but expecting someone like Jordie Benn. They need a vet, preferably RH'd and preferably a looming UFA.
- grahamzky

I hope for no drastic overpays for players who are only minor upgrades on what we already have, would hate to lose an A-prospect or 1st round pick for a guy who really isn't worth that and as you say with the expansion draft looming that's a factor as well, getting someone with an extra year of term like Manson for example will likely cause you the loss of another asset, not sure it's really worth it then.

Savard would be an alright acquisition at the right price, personally I think he's worth a 2nd and another asset like a Gawanke, Kovacevic or a 3rd round pick at most, the rumored 1st and a prospect ask for Savard is way too much imo, I'd pass if that's the asking price and would then target someone cheaper to acquire, can't see Montour or C.Miller from Buffalo costing very much, would grab either of them if Savard costs more then my suggested price of a 2nd+, no way I'd trade Vesalainen for Savard even if Vesalainen is taking longer to develop then liked or is potentially a bust, wouldn't trade him for Savard.

The other dman I think they should go after is R.Murray from NJ, can't see him costing more then a 3rd and maybe a 5th if retention is required.

Add an R.Murray and/or Savard for a 2nd/3rd/Gawanke, etc and this defense gets a whole lot better without trading a 1st or an
A-prospect and neither complicate the expansion draft, that's what I'm hoping for from the Jets at or before this TDL.

I hope for no drastic overpays for players who are only minor upgrades on what we already have, would hate to lose an A-prospect or 1st round pick for a guy who really isn't worth that and as you say with the expansion draft looming that's a factor as well, getting someone with an extra year of term like Manson for example will likely cause you the loss of another asset, not sure it's really worth it then.

Savard would be an alright acquisition at the right price, personally I think he's worth a 2nd and another asset like a Gawanke, Kovacevic or a 3rd round pick at most, the rumored 1st and a prospect ask for Savard is way too much imo, I'd pass if that's the asking price and would then target someone cheaper to acquire, can't see Montour or C.Miller from Buffalo costing very much, would grab either of them if Savard costs more then my suggested price of a 2nd+, no way I'd trade Vesalainen for Savard even if Vesalainen is taking longer to develop then liked or is potentially a bust, wouldn't trade him for Savard.

The other dman I think they should go after is R.Murray from NJ, can't see him costing more then a 3rd and maybe a 5th if retention is required.

Add an R.Murray and/or Savard for a 2nd/3rd/Gawanke, etc and this defense gets a whole lot better without trading a 1st or an
A-prospect and neither complicate the expansion draft, that's what I'm hoping for from the Jets at or before this TDL.
- JetFuel

Surprisingly perhaps, I pretty well agree with all that you say.

A 2nd and perhaps CBS's 3rd back, or a lesser prospect, is all I would pay for a UFA that might be only here a month, like Savard.

If they want more, then we look elsewhere. Would like to upgrade the D but not at the expense of Heinola, Samberg, Vesalainen or Perfetti. Gustafsson?

Best I can see the Jets doing other than a player like Savard or Murray, etc, is bringing in a lesser light (like Benn) for a 4th/5th rd'r. Without bringing in a veteran, could be in trouble if Forbort, Stanley or whoever goes down. Need some extra grit!

Jets win in OT! You heard it hear first!
- grahamzky

Perfect I'll take it as a tie

Surprisingly perhaps, I pretty well agree with all that you say.

A 2nd and perhaps CBS's 3rd back, or a lesser prospect, is all I would pay for a UFA that might be only here a month, like Savard.

If they want more, then we look elsewhere. Would like to upgrade the D but not at the expense of Heinola, Samberg, Vesalainen or Perfetti. Gustafsson?

Best I can see the Jets doing other than a player like Savard or Murray, etc, is bringing in a lesser light (like Benn) for a 4th/5th rd'r. Without bringing in a veteran, could be in trouble if Forbort, Stanley or whoever goes down. Need some extra grit!
- grahamzky

I'd have no problem losing any one of Veslalainen, Niku, or even Harkins plus a 2nd for Savard or Manson. It's well worth it to take a serious run at the Cup. Any one of them would be hard to work into the lineup for a while so it really isn't much of a loss in the same we really never needed Brendan Lemieux.

I'd have no problem losing any one of Veslalainen, Niku, or even Harkins plus a 2nd for Savard or Manson. It's well worth it to take a serious run at the Cup. Any one of them would be hard to work into the lineup for a while so it really isn't much of a loss in the same we really never needed Brendan Lemieux.
- jetsnation

I totally agree with you, I might dig a little deeper and let go of one of the top three AHL defenseman

I'd have no problem losing any one of Veslalainen, Niku, or even Harkins plus a 2nd for Savard or Manson. It's well worth it to take a serious run at the Cup. Any one of them would be hard to work into the lineup for a while so it really isn't much of a loss in the same we really never needed Brendan Lemieux.
- jetsnation

I hear you. Not sure where there is room on the top six for Vesy. Same goes for Harkins, but one of them could be a 3rd line replacement for Lowry if he goes elsewhere.

But that may be where Gustafsson's future lies with the Jets.

I believe that the Jets will re-sign Paul Stastny for one/twp more years, so top six pretty well set. Stastny has a lot of hockey left and the Jets like him and he likes the Jets.

Tampa got Savard. Don't know the price yet but it will be somewhat of a bellwether for Manson, although Manson has the extra year of term.

Might as well hand the Cup to the Lightning. They have in some ways gamed the system with the Kucherov injury. Who really knows if Kuch is now healthy and yet still on the LTIR. TB was supposed to be in cap hell this year and yet they somehow land what salary remains on a $4.25 M per player.

The cap system could use some refinement when it comes to LTIR ... These adjustments could include that once a player is back skating again his LTIR ends . An even better option and much fairer would be to include the playoffs in the cap calculations. It just doesn't seem fair that the Lightning is running a roster that's $10 MM over the cap come playoff time.

Tampa got Savard. Don't know the price yet but it will be somewhat of a bellwether for Manson, although Manson has the extra year of term.

Might as well hand the Cup to the Lightning. They have in some ways gamed the system with the Kucherov injury. Who really knows if Kuch is now healthy and yet still on the LTIR. TB was supposed to be in cap hell this year and yet they somehow land what salary remains on a $4.25 M per player.

The cap system could use some refinement when it comes to LTIR ... These adjustments could include that once a player is back skating again his LTIR ends . An even better option and much fairer would be to include the playoffs in the cap calculations. It just doesn't seem fair that the Lightning is running a roster that's $10 MM over the cap come playoff time.
- jetsnation

Yea, read where Kuherov had been skating for three weeks. Not healthy enough for regular season, but watch who skates out there when they drop the puck in the playoffs.

Tampa Bay and the Leafs brass must have went to same hockey school, or have the same lawyers. So much for the integrity of the game!

The Leafs are even trading for injured players. Obviously there are ways around the cap, just a matter of having extra cash and being able to look yourself in the mirror, I guess!

But rules the same for everyone I suppose.

If the Jets are unable to get a quality defenseman, they should just go out and get Taylor Hall. Might as well go out and try and outscore the opposition.

Nice 5-0 win that never seemed in doubt.

- Frenchie's best game in maybe the last few years. He's played like a $4 MM per year player the past 10 games so let's hope he can carry that momentum into the playoffs.

-Morrissey has been playing like an All-Star defenseman the past 10 games. Nice to see him back.

- The Habs really miss Armia, Chariot , and Gallagher. Those three are a major difference in winning and losing. Some might argue Price is a factor but Allen has played well so I'd argue that point.

-If I had to pick 3 Jets who have underperformed the last 10 games it would be Apples, PLD , and Forbert.

It's the Jets and Oilers in the playoff first round. Back to the old days of Jets 1.0 . Hopefully this time the outcome will be different .

I will also make a bold prediction here. The Calgary Flames will be playing the Leafs in round 1 of the playoffs. The Habs will not make the playoffs.

I will also make a bold prediction here. The Calgary Flames will be playing the Leafs in round 1 of the playoffs. The Habs will not make the playoffs.
- jetsnation

I hope you correct and Tkachuk is healthy enough to softened up the Leafs. You know Sutter will want a heavy game and hopefully Calgary can make the process painful for the leafs.

Nice 5-0 win that never seemed in doubt.

- Frenchie's best game in maybe the last few years. He's played like a $4 MM per year player the past 10 games so let's hope he can carry that momentum into the playoffs.

-Morrissey has been playing like an All-Star defenseman the past 10 games. Nice to see him back

-If I had to pick 3 Jets who have underperformed the last 10 games it would be Apples, PLD , and Forbert.

It's the Jets and Oilers in the playoff first round. Back to the old days of Jets 1.0 . Hopefully this time the outcome will be different .
- jetsnation

Agree on your points. Best thing that ever happened with Frenchie was to go to 4th line with Thompson and Lewis, then give him some PP time to get the minutes up. If you watch him closely, you can see he is very aware of where he needs to be, anticipating the play, and he has the skill if the puck lands on his stick. He gets a leaque min contract next year but plays, somehwere.

Morrisey and Demelo both have picked it up big time. Perfect timing for both of them to step it up.

Apples looked so good early on but just hasn't got the game to game consistency yet. Might take some more playing time but hopefully the net driving Apples re-appears in the playoffs.

PLD - When I watched him manhandle the Leafs last year, it was so impressive. But, he seems a step behind in reading / anticipating the play and often generallly underwhelming. Do we see that Clb playoff monster come playoffs? Is it a confidence issue? 60% O zone faceoffs with a 39% fo percentage........ I guess we wil see what he brings in the playoffs........

I will also make a bold prediction here. The Calgary Flames will be playing the Leafs in round 1 of the playoffs. The Habs will not make the playoffs.
- jetsnation

We could place a little bet. I say "NOT!"