Winnipeg Jets

[esquire]

The city may be part of the equation, but it's an organizational issue first and foremost. When someone wants out there is always a valid reason. I mean, when you don't want to go to a lame party you can always come up with some plausible-sounding excuse.

That said, it is curious to me that Wheeler still apparently holds so much sway over things given that he's probably no more than a few years away from retirement. In 5 years Laine will be a Rocket Richard contender while Wheeler will be on to his next career.

I guess if the Jets win the cup while Wheeler's around then of course all will be forgiven, but losing Laine means giving up a lot of long term potential even though in this case, PLD's arrival luckily offsets much of that loss. At least that kept it from being a total disaster.

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by esquire

^ It is weird how much clout Wheeler is rumoured to have... maybe that made sense 5 years ago but at 34 years old he doesn't have a lot left in the tank.

Don't worry, Wheeler will safely be getting paid $8.25 million for another 3 seasons until he is 37 and no doubt calling the shots on the ice that long unless he say gets a puck to the ear.

Originally Posted by esquire

With Laine gone and PLD in town you have to think there is no real purpose for Stastny here anymore. He finishes this season and then he's gone.

It will likely be about the money for Stastny next season if he isn't traded before that. Lots of fans have been okay with paying Perrault $4 million for the last three years. With that contract up there is potential to keep Stastny around for $3-4 million a year as a 2B/third line role. The question is does keeping him around for the third line make Lowry an unhappy player?

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In terms of the trade, Laine for PLD looks like a good move. That said I noticed in the game v Edmonton last night the team is definitely missing the players like Buff and Laine that would let an absolute blast of a shot go at times.

It feels like the Jets were shorted some on the trade though. Time will tell. That said with PLD's dad coaching on the Moose, Laine and PLD going 2-3 in the same draft and Roslovic going to his home town team it feels like elements of this trade had likely been in discussion longer than the on-ice incident with PLD last week.

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In terms of a the Kraken draft the Jets definitely have some moves to make. Lowry being a UFA is both interesting (doesn't need a protection spot) but worrying (Seattle could make him an offer). The Jets also likely have enough spots to protect him.

They also need to get a goalie under contract before the draft.

[pacman]

Originally Posted by CoryB

They also need to get a goalie under contract before the draft.

I believe Berdin would qualify as our exposed goalie but not sure. I don't think there's a minimum game played requirement for goalies, just needs to be under contract?

[bomberjet]

From the mock expansion drafts I've seen (a few months ago now). Lowry was the most likely to be selected by Seattle, pending any shenanigans like the Vegas draft where they selected Thorburn.

[CoryB]

It was pointed out to me elsewhere that Beaulieu would also likely be exposed.

As Lowry is a pending free agent the Jets could potentially lose both Lowry and Beaulieu to the Kraken.

I have a feeling with PLD coming in and Perfetti drafted that Lowry would be very receptive to a change of scenery where he might have a chance at being a top six forward or even center. It seems doubtful that will happen for him with the Jets.

[pacman]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

From the mock expansion drafts I've seen (a few months ago now). Lowry was the most likely to be selected by Seattle, pending any shenanigans like the Vegas draft where they selected Thorburn.

Not sure the Jets would let Lowry go the way he's kicking ass this year, especially after hiring his dad too. Since he'll be unrestricted after this season I think they'll have a verbal agreement to an extension before the draft so they don't need to protect him. Seattle wouldn't waste a pick on a UFA.

I think we'll end up losing Appleton or Harkins although I'm no expert at all in this stuff and could be wrong about the rules.

[bomberjet]

I'll have to dig up the protected lists. But it was a pretty clear line of whom was in and who was out. Lowry being on the outs.

[bomberjet]

Good summary. Although slightly out of date now.

https://theathletic.com/2240107/2020...pansion-draft/

With Roslo being gone, Room for Lowry to slide in. Ignoring the FA's, that leaves someone like Harkins exposed. Who do you keep, aging vet (yes that's Lowry), or younger up and comer?

[cheswick]

Originally Posted by pacman

Not sure the Jets would let Lowry go the way he's kicking ass this year, especially after hiring his dad too. Since he'll be unrestricted after this season I think they'll have a verbal agreement to an extension before the draft so they don't need to protect him. Seattle wouldn't waste a pick on a UFA.

I think we'll end up losing Appleton or Harkins although I'm no expert at all in this stuff and could be wrong about the rules.

You're right. Lowry isn't getting selected. He's either a UFA or he's extended and protected. The Jets have room to protect him regardless. They can protect 7 forwards.

Wheeler
Connor
Scheifele
Elhers
Dubois
Copp
+?

Rosolovic would have taken that spot if things went differently. They need two forwards under contract next season to expose. Appleton and Harkins (needs to play another 20 games) seem the likely candidates. So a signed Lowry can be protected (or Statsny?). If they use the spot for Appleton they need someone with experience under contract to expose.

On Defense they protect Morrisey, Pionk and likely DeMelo. Risk losing Niku or Stanley.

[bomberjet]

Note UFA's still remain with the current roster. So even if Lowry is a UFA, Seattle can take him and that's the selection for Winnipeg. Whether he signs with Seattle is their risk. They could take Stastny as well.

[pacman]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

Note UFA's still remain with the current roster. So even if Lowry is a UFA, Seattle can take him and that's the selection for Winnipeg. Whether he signs with Seattle is their risk. They could take Stastny as well.

Exactly, they're still technically available to be chosen like Thorburn was last time. Only reason they pick Lowry is cuz they had a sense he would sign there and if that's the case why bother with picking him when they can get him for free a few days later and grab another guy from the Jets.

If Lowry/Jets don't want to delay the extension until after the draft we will protect him.

I think we'll protect either Harkins or Appleton and likely lose whichever is left unprotected... or Stanley on D if he keeps playing well. Will depend on Seattle's balance of D and forwards during the draft.

[buzzg]

It’s important to note teams are required to use their protected spots on their players with NMCs, unless the player waives them. Believe this is what Enstrom did as a favour, and then the Jets traded him anyway. First and second year players are protected without taking a spot up. Since i believe the Draft happens as part of this current season technically, pretty sure someone like Harkins would be safe without taking a protected spot.

[Biff]

Originally Posted by pacman

I believe Berdin would qualify as our exposed goalie but not sure. I don't think there's a minimum game played requirement for goalies, just needs to be under contract?

I would think that the Jets picked up Anton Forsberg just for this reason.

...also, regarding defense, wouldn't Stanley and Heinola count as first year players and be protected. Above someone said that Stanley would be a target.

Just my two cents, but no way do the Jets let Lowry go.

[bomberjet]

The Jets picked up Forsberg as they are required to carry 3 goalies between Jets and Taxi squad. That's why Comrie was picked up on waivers from us. Expansion draft requirements for goalies are pretty slack. Just need to have a goalie signed who's on contract or received their qualifying offer.

Originally Posted by buzzg

It’s important to note teams are required to use their protected spots on their players with NMCs, unless the player waives them. Believe this is what Enstrom did as a favour, and then the Jets traded him anyway. First and second year players are protected without taking a spot up. Since i believe the Draft happens as part of this current season technically, pretty sure someone like Harkins would be safe without taking a protected spot.

https://theathletic.com/2240107/2020...pansion-draft/

This link has whos is exempt from the draft. Harkins is exposed to the draft.

[cheswick]

Originally Posted by Biff

I would think that the Jets picked up Anton Forsberg just for this reason.

...also, regarding defense, wouldn't Stanley and Heinola count as first year players and be protected. Above someone said that Stanley would be a target.

Just my two cents, but no way do the Jets let Lowry go.

All first and second year professionals are exempt from the draft. For this purpose a professional year is counted in the NHL for 18-19 year olds, but is counted in the AHL or NHL for 20+ year olds. Stanley played 2 pro seasons in the AHL (at age 20 or older) and thus needs to be protected.

[buzzg]

In interviews on TSN they said that Maurice already asked Stastny if he feels comfortable playing wing and he said yes. So we'll probably get Lowry as 3C with Stastny on wing, at least to start, and see how it works.

My guess (and kinda hope) is that depending how the season's going, Stastny becomes a bit expendable – $7m 3rd like winger is crazy – and we ship him out for either a rental D or package him with a pick/prospect for D. Throw Niku in too, he sucks.

[cheswick]

Originally Posted by buzzg

In interviews on TSN they said that Maurice already asked Stastny if he feels comfortable playing wing and he said yes. So we'll probably get Lowry as 3C with Stastny on wing, at least to start, and see how it works.

My guess (and kinda hope) is that depending how the season's going, Stastny becomes a bit expendable – $7m 3rd like winger is crazy – and we ship him out for either a rental D or package him with a pick/prospect for D. Throw Niku in too, he sucks.

Pretty sure asking Statsny to move to wing would be to play with Elhers and Dubois on line 2 with copp moving down to 3.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by cheswick

Pretty sure asking Statsny to move to wing would be to play with Elhers and Dubois on line 2 with copp moving down to 3.

That's a pretty appealing setup, the top 6 would sure be loaded for bear at that point. But what about the defense?

[Biff]

^^^Just try real hard to stay in the offensive zone

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by cheswick

Pretty sure asking Statsny to move to wing would be to play with Elhers and Dubois on line 2 with copp moving down to 3.

I think Copp has a solid two-week addition to earn the spot on the second line. Going Elhers-Dubois-Copp sets the stage for a longer term pairing than "right now". That said Copp has to earn the spot and show he deserves the spot over Stastny. As Perreault has showed over a number of seasons now the Jets are willing to bury a backup top 6 forward in the bottom 6 when in makes sense. Trying to establish a multi-season second line pairing could be exactly one of those scenarios.