I find it weird to keep reading how important size is in "the new NHL" for defencemen.  Size is less important than ever.  That's why you saw all the huge guys lose their jobs when the 05-06 lockout ended.  Defencemen are, as a whole, much smaller now than they were before the lockout.

I find it weird to keep reading how important size is in "the new NHL" for defencemen.  Size is less important than ever.  That's why you saw all the huge guys lose their jobs when the 05-06 lockout ended.  Defencemen are, as a whole, much smaller now than they were before the lockout.

 

Except that's not really true.

 

Yup, ten years ago, there was a wave of smaller defencemen... and that's when Enstrom played well.  Now it seems to be over, maybe its been proven too many times in the playoffs, don't know.  Teams have big D cores now.

 

There will still be a few guys like Vatanen who are powerplay, offence specialists but not much.

 

Even Morrissey, who is considered under-sized, will be 6'0, 200 when he hits the NHL.

All these coaches and GMs that think Enstrom is awesome... check their lineup - Minn, St Louis, Chicago, Detroit, Nashville, Anaheim...

 

Then tell me that they would trade a top 4 defenceman for Enstrom.  Not a chance.

 

5'10, 180 is at best a 6th D and power play specialist... 

 

I have mixed feelings on Enstrom except when it comes to the powerplay - if I never see him on the powerplay again it will be too soon.

 

Watching him repeatedly pass the puck OUT of shooting lanes like his children will be murdered if he takes a shot is sooooo incredibly frustrating.  He effectively turns a 5 on 4 into a 4 on 4 when he's out there.  The other team's forwards stopped wasting their time challenging him this year - when he gets the puck they don't move into shooting lanes, they move into passing lanes.  The penalty killers can cover 5 guys with 4, just because they've seen enough tape to know that when Enstrom gets the puck, 95% of the time he will move it to one of the other 4 Jets.

 

As for the rest of it, with Enstrom you take the good with the bad.  A statement true for all defencemen.  And athletes.  And humans.

I find it weird to keep reading how important size is in "the new NHL" for defencemen.  Size is less important than ever.  That's why you saw all the huge guys lose their jobs when the 05-06 lockout ended.  Defencemen are, as a whole, much smaller now than they were before the lockout.

Is that a guess, or is there info out there somewhere that supports this? I don't agree or disagree, I just wonder if it's accurate.

 

There have always been small defensemen. It's not a new phenomena in today's NHL.

 

I have mixed feelings on Enstrom except when it comes to the powerplay - if I never see him on the powerplay again it will be too soon.

 

Watching him repeatedly pass the puck OUT of shooting lanes like his children will be murdered if he takes a shot is sooooo incredibly frustrating.  He effectively turns a 5 on 4 into a 4 on 4 when he's out there.  The other team's forwards stopped wasting their time challenging him this year - when he gets the puck they don't move into shooting lanes, they move into passing lanes.  The penalty killers can cover 5 guys with 4, just because they've seen enough tape to know that when Enstrom gets the puck, 95% of the time he will move it to one of the other 4 Jets.

 

 

 

My section calls it the "Enstrom groan". It's the sound you hear from the crowd every time he fakes a shot and passes to a guy in a worse position.

 

I find it weird to keep reading how important size is in "the new NHL" for defencemen.  Size is less important than ever.  That's why you saw all the huge guys lose their jobs when the 05-06 lockout ended.  Defencemen are, as a whole, much smaller now than they were before the lockout.

Is that a guess, or is there info out there somewhere that supports this? I don't agree or disagree, I just wonder if it's accurate.

 

There have always been small defensemen. It's not a new phenomena in today's NHL.

 

 

It just feels right, and you can take that to the bank.

I have mixed feelings on Enstrom except when it comes to the powerplay - if I never see him on the powerplay again it will be too soon.

Watching him repeatedly pass the puck OUT of shooting lanes like his children will be murdered if he takes a shot is sooooo incredibly frustrating. He effectively turns a 5 on 4 into a 4 on 4 when he's out there. The other team's forwards stopped wasting their time challenging him this year - when he gets the puck they don't move into shooting lanes, they move into passing lanes. The penalty killers can cover 5 guys with 4, just because they've seen enough tape to know that when Enstrom gets the puck, 95% of the time he will move it to one of the other 4 Jets.

My section calls it the "Enstrom groan". It's the sound you hear from the crowd every time he fakes a shot and passes to a guy in a worse position.

Lol I like that term!

He definitely hates taking the shot?

I find it weird to keep reading how important size is in "the new NHL" for defencemen.  Size is less important than ever.  That's why you saw all the huge guys lose their jobs when the 05-06 lockout ended.  Defencemen are, as a whole, much smaller now than they were before the lockout.

Is that a guess, or is there info out there somewhere that supports this? I don't agree or disagree, I just wonder if it's accurate.

 

There have always been small defensemen. It's not a new phenomena in today's NHL.

 

It just feels right, and you can take that to the bank.

One of the smaller banks I would assume.

Toby mighta been to fastest skater in th league...

and he can shoot a puck clear over them mountains...

My section calls it the "Enstrom groan". It's the sound you hear from the crowd every time he fakes a shot and passes to a guy in a worse position.

Kind of like the Brock Ralph groan...when he'd run for out of bounds two yards before the marker rather than take a hit...or just plain not bother to try and catch the ball.

My section calls it the "Enstrom groan". It's the sound you hear from the crowd every time he fakes a shot and passes to a guy in a worse position.

Kind of like the Brock Ralph groan...when he'd run for out of bounds two yards before the marker rather than take a hit...or just plain not bother to try and catch the ball.

You sir take that back! enstrom should never be mentioned in the same breath as that cad. Toby fought on thru an injury.. Ralph would have been outta there a loooong time ago..

Good day sir!

Future looks bright indeed

 

Let's recap the past couple of months for Jets prospects....

Top WHL playoff scorer (Petan).
Top WHL defenseman in points/game (at least 7 games) (Morrissey).
Top QMJHL scorer (Ehlers).
Top QMJHL defenseman scorer (Kostalek).
Top WHC goalie (GAA, save%) (Hellebuyck).

Yup, we also have a cupboard full of upcoming goalies....anyone think Helle makes the big team?

I definitely felt like Helle was a couple years away but his performance at the world championships is making me think he's ready now.

Helle will be called up after the trade deadline when we dump Pavelec to Edmonton after the Oilers make a cup push with Yakupov leading the league in scoring.

In Dave Hodge's latest Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down column on the TSN website he talks about Tampa Bay missing the playoffs two years ago, losing in the first round last year, and going to the final this year. He lists five teams that missed the playoffs last year and lost in the first round this year: Winnipeg, New York Islanders, Ottawa, Nashville, and Vancouver. Of those five he thinks Winnipeg stands the best chance of repeating what Tampa Bay has done. Probably a bit of a stretch, but interesting that someone who has been around the NHL as long as Dave Hodge thinks that Winnipeg could pull off something like that.

All we need are Steve Stamkos and Ben Bishop. And for Nic Petan to become the next Tyler Johnson.

I think the jets might take a step back this year as they transition to some of their youth.

I think the jets might take a step back this year as they transition to some of their youth.

I think it all depends on Pavs and Hutch.. I don't see the offense output declining.

Petan had a better junior career than Johnson, Stamkos hasn't done much in the playoffs but Ehlers screams sniper for sure.. Bishop? I dunno, he looks lost some games and very good some others. I'm not comparing them cuz that's insanity but Petan,Ehlers and Hellebuyck very well could be our stamkos johnson and bishop. 

,

Stamkos is freaking awesome.  He and Jonathon Toews are two of my favorite players to watch, because they aren't just clutch guys with unbelievable talent, they are born leaders.

Petan had a better junior career than Johnson, Stamkos hasn't done much in the playoffs but Ehlers screams sniper for sure.. Bishop? I dunno, he looks lost some games and very good some others. I'm not comparing them cuz that's insanity but Petan,Ehlers and Hellebuyck very well could be our stamkos johnson and bishop. 

I'd trade all 3 even up for Stamkos.

I wouldn't.

http://www.tsn.ca/mcdavid-tops-tsn-s-final-draft-ranking-1.300634

 

If the Jets stay true to the board, then we're getting Merkley at 17.  I'd be happy with that pick.  If Bittner is still around at 25 I'd grab him, otherwise Jake Debrusk.

 

http://www.tsn.ca/jake-debrusk-left-wing-1.293927