Jets have upgraded at the big-league level and also stockpiled what’s in the system

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/06/2015 (3773 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

His face was everywhere this week as part of what is now a series of iconic images. Yes, there was Jonathan Toews, again, grinning and dropping a celebratory F-bomb as he hoisted the Stanley Cup right after the Chicago Blackhawks had captured their third title in the last six years.

The Winnipeg product has morphed into THE perfect representation of a captain — skilled, respected and fiercely intense.

And just for the record, the likes of Toews don’t grow on trees. If they did, every NHL general manager, and especially Kevin Cheveldayoff of the Jets, would be roaming through St. Vital looking to harvest the next Captain Serious.

We bring this up today as we start our fourth annual Jets at the Draft series — a look at what Winnipeg’s NHL club has in its system at five positions — centre, right wing, left wing, defence and goaltender — leading into next week’s talent selection in Florida.

Centres are always coveted, especially when they come in a complete package like Toews. And our yearly series has traditionally opened with a peek at the centre position, not just because strength down the middle is critical to building a Stanley Cup winner, but because when this exercise was first launched the Jets had identified that spot as their biggest need both for the big club and in the system.

Now, while there is no Toews among them, the Jets have effectively plugged that gaping organizational hole by drafting some solid pieces such as Mark Scheifele and Adam Lowry, who are already making contributions at the big-league level. They still have three more years of the underrated Bryan Little at a cap-friendly $4.7 million, added Mathieu Perreault in free agency — although he has settled in at left wing — and have some intriguing prospects in Andrew Copp, Nic Petan, Ryan Olsen, Chase De Leo and Pavel Kraskovsky.

And then there is Alex Burmistrov, who has spent the last two years in the KHL and has hinted several times over the last few months he would like to return to the NHL, and the Jets still hold his rights. His future, and whether it comes with him once again pulling on a Jets uniform, might become clearer at or around the draft.

All of that represents a considerable centre-ice makeover, given that when the franchise first touched down here the men in the middle were Little, Nik Antropov, Burmistrov, Jim Slater (now an unrestricted free agent), Kyle Wellwood and Tim Stapleton.

The Jets have tried to milk some production out of free agents like Wellwood and Olli Jokinen — those two combined for 49 goals and 119 points in 243 games as Jets — and could dip into the free-agent pool again, especially with Slater and depth centres Eric O’Dell and Patrice Cormier headed for the open market.

But they have also used nine of their 30 draft picks since relocation to stockpile the position and figure to target the spot again. In fact, as frustrating as the Jets’ draft-and-develop blueprint had been for fans in the years leading up to this spring’s first playoff appearance, it could be said what they’ve done at centre is a shining testament to that approach.

It took time to replenish the position. And it takes even more patience to wait for those saplings to grow into something substantial.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPEdTait

CENTRE

THE JETS

— Bryan Little: This simply can’t be debated any longer — Little is the Jets clear-cut No. 1 centre. His numbers are solid, he is reliable defensively and has proven he can go head-to-head with some of the big guns in the NHL. He’s not prolific offensively, but capable.

Little FYI: Age: 27. 2014-15 numbers: GP: 70 G: 24 A: 28 Pts: 52

Contract: Three years remaining. Cap hit: $4.7 million.

— Mark Scheifele: His numbers grew as did his game in his sophomore season. Had two separate four-game point streaks in December and February, but is still searching for consistency. Struggled when matched up in the playoffs against the Ducks big pivots and needs to keep working on his overall strength. Still a sense within the organization he’s got so much more to give.

Scheifele FYI: Age: 22. 2014-15 numbers: GP: 82; G: 15; A: 34; Pts: 49

Contract: One year left on entry-level deal. Cap hit: $863,333.

— Adam Lowry: Jets coach Paul Maurice raved about his hockey IQ and it was his attention to detail in the defensive zone that kept earning him big minutes. His size and smarts make him a perfect third-line centre and his offensive totals figure to increase modestly.

Lowry FYI: Age: 22. 2014-15 numbers: GP: 80; G: 11; A: 12: Pts: 23

Contract: One year left on entry-level deal. Cap hit: $828,333.

— Jim Slater: Popular in the room and solid in the face-off circle. But he also turns 33 this season and, with younger prospects knocking at the door in the organization, may not have a place with the Jets next winter.

Slater FYI: Age: 32. 2014-15 numbers: GP: 82; G: 5; A: 8; Pts: 13.

Contract: Unrestricted free agent; earned $1.6 million last year.

— Andrew Copp: Signed with the Jets in late March after three steady seasons at the University of Michigan. Suited up for the regular-season finale and could be in the big club’s regular lineup as a potential bottom-six replacement to Slater. A gifted athlete who was one of the top high-school QB prospects before turning his full attention to hockey, Copp was the Wolverines captain and suited up for the US World Junior team two years ago. A 200-foot player who is proficient on the face-off dot.

— Eric O’Dell: He’s been a useful depth piece for the Jets and often the first forward summoned from St. John’s. Played wing and centre for the big club, but while he was essentially a point-per-game player with the IceCaps, his opportunities in the NHL were always limited by his minutes. Turns 25 on Sunday and with younger centres turning pro, it’s fair to ask whether his NHL window with the Jets has closed.

O’Dell FYI: Age: 24: 2014-15 numbers (NHL): GP: 11; G: 0: A: 1; Pts: 1.

Contract: UFA. Earned $650,000 last year.

 

TOP CENTRE PROSPECT

— Nic Petan, Portland Winterhawks (WHL): His playmaking abilities and hockey sense overshadow his size (5-9, 180)… He won gold with Canada at his second World Junior Hockey Championships this winter and, over two appearances, had eight goals and eight assists in 14 games on that stage… Ridiculous offensive totals with the Winterhawks over the past three years — 96 goals and 322 points in just 188 games… Figures to spend next season with the Manitoba Moose, but could make things interesting at Jets main training camp.

 

THE MOOSE

— John Albert: Spark-plug type who had 44 goals and 87 points over the last two years in St. John’s. He is a restricted free agent and, at 26, may be out of the big-club picture with prospects behind him.

— Ryan Olsen: A 21-year-old sixth-round pick in 2012, Olsen is coming off what brass are calling a ‘good transition year’ after turning pro. Had just four goals and nine points in 60 games in Newfoundland, but battled through injuries and had a solid second half. He’ll be counted on to make strides again this season with the Moose.

— Patrice Cormier: Same deal as O’Dell and Albert. Has been on the bubble with the Jets over the last few years. One of the pieces in the Ilya Kovalchuk trade, Cormier can play wing and centre and — when healthy — can be an effective two-way forward. But he just turned 25 and is a UFA.

 

IN THE SYSTEM (draft picks or players under NHL deals)

— Alex Burmistrov: His future will be in the NHL, it’s just murky as to whether that will be with the Jets. Decent totals the last two years in the KHL with Ak-Bars (20 goals, 63 points in 107 games) but the red flags that came with the former first-rounder when he left for Russia still remain. There’s room on the Jets depth chart… if they want this 23-year-old back.

— Chase De Leo: This fourth-round pick in 2014 just signed his first pro contract eight days ago. Posted back-to-back 39-goal campaigns with Portland (WHL). Suited up for the US as the WJC; good defender, with offensive instincts and quickness. The Jets like the fact that while he’s not big, he has a stocky pro-like body and project him as a player who could round into a top-nine forward.

— Pavel Kraskovsky: Was one of the youngest players in last year’s draft (he doesn’t turn 19 until September) and the Jets love his potential upside. Was in the mix for the Russian world junior squad but was one of the last cuts. He will remain in Russia for another season and the Jets hope he can add to his already-considerable (6-4, 187) frame.

— Tanner Lane, University of Nebraska-Omaha: A sixth-round pick by the Thrashers in 2010, he hasn’t been prolific offensively at UNO — he had two goals and six assists in 35 games last year — but is heading into his senior year and will also be monitored at next month’s Jets Development Camp.