Making a Jets list, checking it thrice

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/04/2016 (3469 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

They say things happen in threes. For the Winnipeg Jets, let’s start at the top with co-owner Mark Chipman and True North Sports & Entertainment Ltd.

The list of the three most notable things TNSE provided Winnipeg’s NHL fans this season begins with the decision to go really cheap. It used only 41 of 50 available contracts to supply the farm team (Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League) and the Jets. The Moose had a terrible season and the Jets had a depressing one.

Leaving a bunch of young players in the AHL to fend for themselves is a story in itself. Losing every night for a long time can create a sullen dressing room — not the greatest situation for young men.

There’s been some development shown by players such as Nic Petan and other recent call-ups but it’s well-known players getting a chance in “the show” for a few games have an unbridled enthusiasm that won’t be carried over a full 82-game schedule. Having been in a losing situation, I question the Jets on this, especially since they had a choice. Most players will develop somewhat, despite their environment; how much they were limited by it this season is another question.

The Jets also carried the lowest payroll in the league because they need to re-sign restricted free agents Mark Scheifele, Jacob Trouba and Adam Lowry this summer. At least, the off-season will be interesting.

I imagine Chipman was banking on the goodwill last season’s playoff run generated would keep most Jets fans on board with whatever happened this season. That started being used up when the Jets ran into depth problems at the forward position and continues today (although many fans just moved on to cheering for a high draft pick this summer). It looks like TNSE’s gamble paid off in saved dollars.

The second notable act was Chipman’s acquisition of the 2016 Heritage Classic against the Edmonton Oilers at Investors Group Field in October. Going a step further, he invited all former Jets (including World Hockey Association and Jets 1.0 NHL players), saying we all would be looked after.

I’m biased after being part of the last WHA championship (Avco Cup) team in Winnipeg (1979) and being one of the NHL’s Jets originals. I know there are many fans happy that there will be recognition of Winnipeg’s great hockey tradition.

The fun is just starting. I had an email conversation with former WHA teammate Kim Clackson, who had his own group of admirers (Clacker’s Clan). Fans of that era remember him best for taking on all the on-ice assassins looking to decapitate the Jets best players. If he gets the call from Dale Hawerchuk (who is picking the Jets alumni team for the Heritage Classic), it sounds like he’s eager to line up against Oilers counterpart Dave Semenko one more time.

If you’ve seen the video of CFL legends Joe Kapp and Angelo Mosca fighting on stage (Mosca was armed with a cane) at a 2011 Grey Cup function, you know anything can happen.

I’m joking, of course. I’d love to see Clacker in the game and I’m certain it will be a fun-filled, competitive battle between two old foes.

TNSE’s third notable act was securing the 2016 Heritage Classic (it’s worth mentioning twice). Two outdoor games, one great weekend for Jets fans. The “spectacular event” is the new wave and Winnipeg will be a part of it with the next “generational” player, Connor McDavid of the Oilers, helping the regular-season game along.

Next up, the three great “next year” hopes of Jets fans is topped by the emergence of the Scheifele, Blake Wheeler and Nikolaj Ehlers line.

They have excelled against tough competition in 2015-16 while learning about each other. Someday, we’ll see that tic-tac-toe, no-look passing you get from the very best lines in the NHL on a regular basis.

The No. 2 hope depends on the Scheifele line continuing to improve. If so, then the incumbent No. 1 centre (Bryan Little) becomes the second-line centre, flanked by Mathieu Perreault and a choice of Drew Stafford, Kyle Connor or a top pick in the 2016 draft. Having a top centre such as Little getting more opportunities against lesser competition should get Jets fans excited.

The third hope rests on the shoulders of a player named Connor but I’m splitting it because they’re both young.

Connor Hellebuyck was the Jets’ best goalie this year and letting him finish the campaign in the AHL helped the Jets “tank” in pursuit of better draft odds. He could be the goalie every team aspiring for greatness needs. If Kyle Connor leaves the University of Michigan after his jaw-dropping season (38 games, 35 goals, 36 assists) he’ll likely slot in on the second line.

Finally, let’s jump to three things that desperately need to be fixed.

Special teams (surprise)… I’ve said enough in previous columns. Adding in some discipline and taking fewer lazy stick penalties would a nice helper.

Team defence at even-strength wasn’t very good at times; players didn’t seem to fully grasp head coach Paul Maurice’s systems. This led to many unacceptable opportunities for the opposition.

Better goaltending is the final fix. Maurice rode Hellebuyck hard to test him when Ondrej Pavelec was hurt, and while the rookie’s play dropped a touch at the end, the coach knows who his guy is.

This club might be okay next year but a lot of work is ahead. A little luck with those Ping-Pong balls at the NHL draft lottery April 30 would be a nice way to start the off-season.

Chosen ninth overall by the NHL’s St. Louis Blues and first overall by the WHA’s Houston Aeros in 1977, Scott Campbell has now been drafted by the Winnipeg Free Press to play a new style of game.

Twitter: @NHL_Campbell