Posted September 16, 20159 yr comment_153106 http://www.tsn.ca/the-future-could-be-now-for-the-jets-1.360480 The Winnipeg Jets reached the playoffs last season for the first time since returning to the NHL, only to be swept away by the Anaheim Ducks. Then, the Jets didn't do much of anything in the offseason. They brought Alexander Burmistrov back from the KHL, but their relative inactivity leaves the impression that if the Jets are going to improve in 2015-2016, it's going to be a result of prospects making the jump and performing well. The riskiest spot on the Jets roster is goaltending. For years, Ondrej Pavelec has performed at a below-average level and was a big part of the reason that the Jets weren't making the playoffs, but after his career-best season in 2014-2015, there has to be hope that he can do it again. If not, Michael Hutchinson or prospect Connor Hellebuyck should be ready for a shot. Winnipeg's blueline is overstocked with NHL defencemen, especially now that Dustin Byfuglien has moved back (where he's much more effective), so there is room to make a deal, if need be. Up front, Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler are the underrated mainstays while Mathieu Perreault and Mark Scheifele are solid contributors, so there are some pieces in place, but there are jobs to be taken. Nikolaj Ehlers is the most highly-touted Jets prospect and should be a regular from the start, but Andrew Copp, Nicolas Petan, Joel Armia and Brendan Lemieux could all be in consideration for roster spots. That's exciting, but leaves the Jets with an element of uncertainty heading into the season. 2015-16 WINNIPEG JETS* Off-season Addition TSN's Projected LinesLadd-Little-Stafford Perreault-Scheif-Wheeler Burmi-Lowery-Ehlers Thorburn-Copp-Peluso Hallischuk Fighting For Jobs: RW Joel Armia, C Patrice Cormier, LW Matt Fraser, C Nic Petan TSN's Projected Pairs Enstrom-Myers Stuart-Trouba Chiarot-Buff Harrison Fighting For Jobs: LD Adam Pardy, LD Paul Postma TSN's Projected GoaliesPavs - Hutch - Helle Off-season Departures: RW Michael Frolik, LW T.J. Galiardi, D Keaton Ellerby, C Eric O'Dell KEY QUESTIONS1. Will Nik Ehlers and/or other prospects make the team or will the Jets open the season with some fringe veterans in the lineup? 2. Can Alex Burmistrov replace the solid two-way game of Michael Frolik which was lost in free agency? 3. Ondrej Pavelec and Michael Hutchinson helped lead the Jets to a Top 10 finish in goals-against last season. Does this trend continue or does the club regress? CRAIG'S LISTSWinnipeg's Top 2015-16 Prospects 1. Nikolaj Ehlers (Halifax, QMJHL): High end skill and creativity who can both excite and dazzle. 2. Josh Morrissey (Kelowna, WHL): Excellent skater who passes well. Best D prospect in the organization. Top 5 Long-Term Prospects 1. Connor Hellybuyck (St. John's, AHL): All the capabilities of a No. 1 goalie. Smart, poised and competitive. 2. Kyle Connor (Youngstown, USHL): Excellent offensive skills with an ease to his play both physically and mentally. 3. Brendan Lemieux (Barrie, OHL): Hard winger who can score. Always challenging opponents in some way. 4. Andrew Copp (Michigan, NCAA): Complete player who can contribute in multiple ways and play in various spots in the lineup. 5. Nic Petan (Portland, WHL): Diminutive centre is highly skilled, smart, can make plays and is extremely competitive. ESTIMATED PAYROLL vs. CAP - $58.2M/$71.4MThe Jets are putting together a team on a budget, and with a deep crop of prospects, inexpensive help will continue to work its way through the system. How the club deals with Ladd and Byfuglien could go a long way to determining their future financial flexibility.
September 16, 20159 yr comment_153135 TSN's Projected LinesThorburn-Copp-Peluso CRAIG'S LISTS Top 5 Long-Term Prospects4. Andrew Copp (Michigan, NCAA): Complete player who can contribute in multiple ways and play in various spots in the lineup. If not Copp at 4th line center then who?
September 16, 20159 yr Author comment_153169 TSN's Projected LinesThorburn-Copp-Peluso CRAIG'S LISTS Top 5 Long-Term Prospects4. Andrew Copp (Michigan, NCAA): Complete player who can contribute in multiple ways and play in various spots in the lineup. If not Copp at 4th line center then who? I guess....Burmi, Olsen, Petan. But it will be Copp.
September 16, 20159 yr comment_153186 Thor copp peluso won't happen and if it does.... epic fail. A lot of this contradicts what Chipman said on h and l and also what Chevy said to bob Mckenzie. Not sure how recent this article is but... they obviously didn't put much thought in to it.
September 16, 20159 yr comment_153194 IMO Peluso will be watching a lot of games this season. This lineup (those 20 guys, not necessarily those lines) is how I would have it, minus Peluso. I think it could be Fraser in that spot, but I bet it's wide open to be won.
September 16, 20159 yr comment_153246 I think we see Peluso and Thorbs on the 4th more often than most of us would like. Peluso wasn't signed to two years to sit every game. Thorbs and Peluso will probably play 90-100 games between tem....80/20 or something.
September 17, 20159 yr comment_153514 http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/128931/competition-looms-among-winnipeg-jets-top-20-prospects/ was this posted yet?
September 17, 20159 yr Author comment_153520 http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/128931/competition-looms-among-winnipeg-jets-top-20-prospects/ was this posted yet? That's great! Thanks for posting
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