Blue-line corps looks strong, but some troubling questions linger

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/06/2015 (3768 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

They were an anchor last winter, a resilient group that helped keep things from tearing apart in stormy waters.

Of all the storylines that emerged during the Winnipeg Jets’ 2014-15 season — among them the first playoff berth, the emergence of Adam Lowry, the blockbuster deal with Buffalo and the work of goaltenders Ondrej Pavelec and Michael Hutchinson — none was more important than a deep defensive corps overcoming a rash of injuries.

Consider that while the Jets finished 14th in man-games lost last season with 228, 151 of those absences came from the blue-line, including large chunks of action missed by regulars Toby Enstrom (23), Jacob Trouba (16), Zach Bogosian (15, before he was traded to the Sabres), Mark Stuart (11) and Dustin Byfuglien (9). Even the depth was affected with Grant Clitsome (48), Ben Chiarot (17) and Paul Postma (11) spending days on the disabled list.

Through all this the Jets managed to set franchise records in points (99) and goals against (210) in what was a testament to their depth and the buy-in — from the forwards, too — to coach Paul Maurice’s defensive system.

All of this is critical as we start the fourth of our five-part Jets at the Draft series — examining the club’s organizational depth at centre, right and left wing, defence and goal — because the background speaks of a couple of key issues leading into this week’s annual talent selection in Florida:

1. Defensive depth is like good pitching — an organization can never have enough of it, and;
2. Don’t be the least bit surprised if the Jets target the blue-line with one of their two first-round picks (17th and 25th).

Indeed, for all the solid play the Jets got from the 13 defencemen who suited up for games, the position is not without its concerns. Six D-men are 30 years of age or older — Byfuglien, Clitsome, Stuart and Enstrom are 30, Adam Pardy is 31 and Jay Harrison is 32. As well, Pardy is an unrestricted free agent, Clitsome’s future may be in doubt because of back issues and Byfuglien — entering his option year — has had his name repeatedly linked to trade rumours while the club decides whether to sign him to huge dollars and a long-term contract. Two depth options have already moved on, or are about to, with Julien Brouillette having signed with Karlskrona HK in Sweden and Keaton Ellerby now linked to the KHL.

Granted, the Jets do have three solid young D-men already gobbling up big minutes in 25-year-old Tyler Myers, along with Ben Chiarot, 24, and Jacob Trouba, who will enter his third NHL season this fall at age 21. There are some interesting defensive pieces swimming about in the prospect pool as well, including 2013 first-round pick Josh Morrissey, Jan Kostalek — the top defenceman in the QMJHL — and North Dakota’s Tucker Poolman.

But, again, if 2014-15 taught the Jets anything about their D corps, it’s this: you can never have too much of a good thing.

This is the fourth in a five-part series. Tomorrow: Part 5 — Goaltending.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPEdTait

THE JETS

• Dustin Byfuglien: Game-changing defender who also took turns at forward in an all-star season. The club has to determine how long they want to commit to him in a potential new contract.

Byfuglien FYI: Age: 30. 2014-15 numbers: GP: 69; G: 18; A: 27; Pts: 45

Contract: One year remaining at $6 million.

• Jacob Trouba: Young, still filing out and still morphing into a dominant D-man. Missed 17 games due to injury in each of his first two seasons.

Trouba FYI: Age: 21. 2014-15 numbers: GP: 65; G: 7; A: 15; Pts: 22.

Contract: One year remaining on entry-level deal that pays him $833,000 this year.

• Toby Enstrom: His D partners always rave about his skill set and he is a smooth an efficient puck mover. But his offensive numbers are dropping and his durability is also a concern.

Enstrom FYI: Age: 30. 2014-15 numbers: GP: 60; G: 4; A: 19; Pts: 23.

Contract: Three years remaining at $5.75 million.

• Tyler Myers: Helped solidify the Jets blue-line after the deal with the Sabres. He’s a massive 6-8, 219 pounds, but flashed some offensive flair with 15 points in 24 games as a Jet.

Myers FYI: Age: 25. 2014-15 numbers: GP: 71; G: 7; A: 19; Pts: 26.

Contract: Four years left with a decreasing salary, from $5 million this coming season to $3 million in 2018-19.

• Mark Stuart: Tough as nails, third-pairing leader type. Hardly flashy, but milks everything out of his game.

Stuart FYI: Age: 30. 2014-15 numbers: GP: 70; G: 2; A: 12; Pts: 14.

Contract: Three years remaining at $3.3 million, $2.7 million and $1.75 million.

• Adam Pardy: Depth D-man. Good in the room. Reliable defensively and has the trust of head coach Paul Maurice.

Pardy FYI: Age: 31. 2014-15 numbers: GP: 55; G: 0; A: 9; Pts: 9.

Contract: Unrestricted free agent (earned $700,000 last year).

Jay Harrison: Veteran stay-at-home type who came over from Carolina last December during the injury woes. A what-you-see-is-what-you-get, third-pairing/depth guy.

Harrison FYI: Age: 32. 2014-15 numbers: GP: 55; G: 3; A: 6; Pts: 9.

Contract: One year remaining at $1.5 million.

• Ben Chiarot: One of the surprises for the Jets last year. Very solid defensively; worked well with Byfuglien and used his 6-3, 215-pound frame effectively. The organization’s patience paid off as he developed in the AHL before ripening.

Chiarot FYI: Age: 24. 2014-15 numbers: GP: 40: G: 2: A: 6; Pts. 8.

Contract: Just signed a new two-year deal with an average annual value of $850,000.

Paul Postma: Injuries have completely derailed any progress he seemed poised to make over the last two years. There was the blood-clot issue two years ago and last year he missed 11 games. He has some offensive flair, but has struggled to find a consistent defensive game.

Postma FYI: Age: 26. 2014-15 numbers: GP: 42; G: 2; A: 4; Pts: 6.

Contract: Restricted free agent; earned $775,000 last year.

• Grant Clitsome: Two serious back injuries have put his future with the Jets in doubt, especially with some young guns being groomed on the organizational depth chart.

Clitsome FYI: Age: 30. 2014-15 numbers: GP: 24; G: 0; A: 4; Pts: 4.

CONTRACT: One year remaining at $2.3 million.

TOP DEFENCE PROSPECT

Josh Morrissey, Prince Albert Raiders/Team Canada/Kelowna Rockets

Exceptionally skilled puck mover who performed well for Canada at the world junior hockey championship… Got a taste of pro hockey in the IceCaps’ run to the Calder Cup final last spring, but seemed to be frustrated with being sent back to junior after Jets camp last fall… Was better than a point-per-game guy with the Raiders in 2013-14 with 28 goals and 73 points in 59 games, but had 13 goals and 38 points in 47 games last year… Could push at training camp, but that could depend on what kind of holes the Jets have in the fall.

THE MOOSE

• Keaton Ellerby: Finished the year in Winnipeg as a depth D-man, but his future here is iffy and he’s been rumoured to be chasing opportunities in the KHL.
• Julien Brouillette: Played in just one game for the Jets, 49 in St. John’s and has signed to play in Sweden.
• Will O’Neill: Led the IceCaps in scoring (10 goals, 38 assists) in what was a very strong year. Good chance he’ll remain with the organization.
• Brenden Kichton: Superb first year in the AHL was offset last season by a broken jaw. Still an offensive threat with one year left on his entry-level deal.
• Julian Melchiori: He’s steady, but no longer the first-call call-up option he was two years ago.

IN THE SYSTEM

(draft picks or players under NHL deals)

• Jan Kostalek, Rimouski Oceanic: Just completed an outstanding season in the QMJHL where he was named the winner of the Emile Bouchard Trophy as the league’s top D-man. Has played for the Czech Republic at the world juniors.
• Tucker Poolman, University of North Dakota: A physical specimen (6-3, 210) who was used both as a forward and a defenceman at UND. Made an impact at both, but the Jets see him as a blue-liner.
• Jack Glover, University of Minnesota: Fought for his minutes on a strong Gopher team as a freshman. Also played up front at times. With players moving on because of graduation, his role should expand.
• Nelson Nogier, Saskatoon Blades/Red Deer Rebels: Strong competitor with great leadership qualities, he was selected despite injuring his shoulder in his draft year. Now back on track in his development.
• Aaron Harstad, Colorado College: Finished his season in St. John’s after turning pro. Holds several Colorado College records in strength, speed and agility tests and won a 2015 All-American Athlete Award from the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
• Brennan Serville, University of Michigan: His offensive numbers with the Wolverines did not match expectations. Expected to turn pro this year.
• Peter Stoykewych, Colorado College: Winnipeg product was named team captain for his senior year. He’s also expected to turn pro.
• Marcus Karlstrom, Mora IK, Visby/Roma: Expected to attend next month’s Jets Development Camp. A seventh-round pick in 2013, there are whispers he may turn to the CHL this year.

THE NHL’S BEST

By comparison, a look at some the NHL’s top defencemen (ranked by 2014-15 scoring):

1. Erik Karlsson, Ott.: GP: 82; G: 21; A: 45; Pts: 66.
2. Brent Burns, SJ: GP: 82; G: 17; A: 43: Pts: 60
3. P.K. Subban, Mtl.; GP: 82: A: 15; A: 45; Pts: 60.
4. Dennis Wideman, Cal.: GP: 80; G: 15; A: 41; Pts: 56
5. Roman Josi, Nash.; GP: 81; G: 15; A: 40; Pts: 55

Other notable defencemen; Duncan Keith, Chi.; Shea Weber, Nash.; Victor Hedman, TB.: Drew Doughty, L.A., Alex Pietrangelo, St. L.; Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Phx., Ryan Suter, Minn.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPEdTait