Chevy’s Xmas wish list includes a skilled forward

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/12/2017 (2822 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

While out buying presents I started wondering what gifts Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff may have in store for fans.

There’s a league-wide freeze on National Hockey League player movement from Dec. 20-27 but GM’s phones still work.

While they weren’t major deals, the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins made two trades on Dec. 19 to start the pre-deadline trade season off.

While the cutoff date is Feb.26, big deals are ahead — I wonder who will trigger the arms race?

Let’s take a look at what would help the Jets improve their chances at making a long run in the playoffs.

Goaltending:

There’s nothing needed here. Connor Hellebuyck has tailed off a bit while carrying almost the entire load while Steve Mason was injured, but he’s shown he’s the real deal. Mason has recovered from a poor start and has shown why the Jets signed him.

Defence:

The Jets are getting through without Dustin Byfuglien and Toby Enstrom but they’ve also hit some teams that had their own injury problems. That’s the unpredictable thing that we can’t foresee, and why teams serious about making some noise in the playoffs need to add insurance.

The injuries to the second pairing have opened up the opportunity for Dmitri Kulikov and Tyler Myers to face tougher competition. They’ve survived but this isn’t their ideal spot on a long-term basis.

The current third pairing usually play with the Manitoba Moose or sit in the press box but rookie Tucker Poolman and Ben Chiarot have been OK in a sheltered role. Poolman in particular has had a number of good things going on, particularly his hockey IQ showing well in his ability to find the right teammate to move the puck to and his knack of getting his shot through to the opponent’s net.

His gap on opposing forwards is also impressive — the rookie looks at home out there.

Despite that, Cheveldayoff should be in the hunt for a quick, puck-moving defenceman to ensure that a couple of injuries won’t derail the club’s chances when the competition really heats up.

The Jets are susceptible to quick teams that have a strong fore-check and a rearguard that moves the puck rapidly to the right spot would certainly help.

Enstrom’s injuries over the past couple of years are concerning and his puck smarts make it wise the Jets have someone with the same abilities join the roster.

Forwards:

The top six of Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, Nikolaj Ehlers, Bryan Little and Patrik Laine are written in stone these days. They also have Mathieu Perreault waiting in the wings to easily produce in that role.

The third line of Andrew Copp, Adam Lowry and Brandon Tanev isn’t going anywhere soon. Their consistent domination by forechecking and spending the majority of their time in the offensive zone ensures that.

I was concerned they weren’t getting rewarded with goals but that’s changed lately, highlighted by Tanev’s late game winner against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday.

The line of Perreault, Matt Hendricks and Joel Armia has had success, but it’s because they have the best fourth-liner in the world.

Perreault being deployed there highlights the biggest acquisition that Cheveldayoff can make.

Matt Hendricks has done everything he can to keep the Jets moving forward but having him centre those two wingers isn’t something you want when heading into the playoffs.

The Edmonton Oilers had a terrific playoff run last year but Hendricks never dressed for a game.

A skilled, quick centre would be a tremendous addition here, and he doesn’t have to be a world-beater, as Perreault can carry the line. This would push the fourth line into the third line on paper, although matchups would decide ice-time.

This is all relative, as I don’t expect Cheveldayoff to mortgage the future to acquire big-name players. However, once the standings settle a bit, I expect there will be players available that can play the parts needed in Winnipeg.

My third and last request is another skilled, veteran forward who can kill penalties and challenge the bottom six.

The Jets have had Marko Dano and Shaun Matthias sitting in the press box forever, which may well continue. I don’t expect someone in that position to be ready to jump in and help in the playoffs. Reports say the Jets have made it known to all teams Matthias is available, if anyone cares.

There’s an internal solution that might work — summon the highly productive Jack Roslovic from the Manitoba Moose and give him a chance to show his talent in an amped up series of games.

They could give the 36 -year-old Hendricks a rest and we’d find out if the call-up is ready for a playoff run. While I’d love to see it, Roslovic has spent a lot of time on the wing, so it might take some shuffling for head coach Paul Maurice to be comfortable with it.

After Cheveldayoff addressed the off-season positional needs I had asked for pre-summer, I wrote that the Jets should definitely make the playoffs.

Adding players now is more complicated as they have to deal with waivers for some players if they’re not moved elsewhere.

However, the Jets GM needs to be among the sharpest of the traders to give the Jets an opportune chance for an extended journey this spring.

I just hope he remembers the key word is “quick.”

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