Jury still out on the Winnipeg Jets defence

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/07/2020 (1880 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

All rise! The Supreme Court of Puck is now in session. The honourable Justices Trouba, Myers and Chiarot are presiding. Unfortunately Justice Byfuglien won’t be joining us today. He’s apparently tied up with a fishing derby in Lac du Bonnet.

Mr. Huddy, the prosecution has made a pretty compelling argument against your clients. You face a daunting task to convince us otherwise. Please proceed with the case for the Winnipeg Jets defence. And a word of warning: We won’t tolerate any outbursts, especially from you, Mr. Maurice.

Paul Maurice, being led away by sheriff’s officers including his long-time nemesis, referee François St-Laurent: %&@$*!!!

Charlie Huddy: Gentlemen, what you have before you is a classic case of mistaken identity. Where some may want you to believe my clients are guilty of dereliction of duty and general incompetence — some in the court of public opinion had the audacity to call them, gasp, AHL-quality at various points this season — I’m going to show you there’s much more than meets the eye here. In fact, by the end of my submission I suspect you’ll be singing their praises.

Let’s start with Josh Morrissey. The guy is a stud, the type of elite, two-way blue-liner any team would be lucky to have. Have there been a few bumps along the way this season? Sure, but that’s what happens when you have to break in a new partner due to circumstances beyond his control.

Trouba: Objection! Sustained!

Huddy: As I was saying, we’re lucky to have Mr. Morrissey here in Winnipeg, and he has taken on new responsibilities as an alternate captain, tied his career high in points prior to the COVID-19 pause and is a major part of the future after signing an eight-year, US$50-million contract last fall. What’s not to love?

Myers and Chiarot turn to each and mutter under their breath: Sheesh, no wonder Chevy couldn’t afford to keep us.

Huddy: Now, let me show you exhibit P — as in Neal Pionk. Plenty of folks around these parts were ready to write this guy off as a bust before he had even set foot in town. Some were declaring the trade for him a massive heist for the New York Rangers. But as the evidence shows, Mr. Pionk has some serious game. Did you know only 10 defencemen in the NHL had more than his 45 points? If a theft occurred, it’s getting him from the Big Apple and signing him to a team-friendly US$3-million deal.

As for the older, more expensive guy that went the other way in the deal…

Trouba: Objection! Sustained!

Myers and Chiarot, both smirking: Overruled. Please continue.

Huddy: I’ll move on. Dmitry Kulikov was a guy many were writing off heading into the season. Not only did he stay mostly healthy, the veteran played some of the best hockey of his career and was a stabilizing force on the battered back end. Just listen to the testimony of his regular partner, Pionk, following Wednesday’s practice.

Pionk: “I think some of the keys for us is talking, not only on the ice but off the ice, too. I think we’ve done a good job of that, whether it’s him coming to me and making a suggestion or me going to him and making a suggestion, we’ve been really fluid with that. It only takes a couple of days to pick back up on his tendencies.”

Huddy: As for the third pair, I’ll be the first to admit it’s been a bit of a work in progress. Guys like Luca Sbisa, Sami Niku, Carl Dahlstrom and Anthony Bitetto rotated in and out. Heck, we were so desperate at one point I was probably next on the list to suit up. It wasn’t always pretty, that’s for sure.

An exhausted Connor Hellebuyck, from the gallery, attached to an IV: I can vouch for that!

Huddy: Fortunately, we’ve made some big strides. Tucker Poolman, who started the year on the top unit with Morrissey, moved down into a more comfortable role where he’s not always up against the other team’s best. He found instant chemistry with Nathan Beaulieu, a true heart-and-soul guy who’s been to hell and back this season, with not one, not two, but three different bone breaks. Seriously, did he walk under a ladder as a black cat crossed in front of him? I suggest that duo is the best third pairing we’ve had all season. Beaulieu said so himself on Wednesday.

Beaulieu: “I like playing with Pools a lot. think we ended the season probably with our two best games together. We were just kind of building that chemistry, that was the first time we really played together. I think we’re both comfortable with each other, I think we both complement each other’s game pretty well. Both pretty big guys and we know our role on this team. So I think me and Tucks are a perfect situation.”

Huddy: Pools. Tucks. Isn’t that adorable? I’ve saved perhaps the best for last, and would like to conclude by presenting to you the proverbial smoking gun, the star witness in these proceedings.

*The courtroom door swings open. Dylan DeMelo enters the room to audible gasps, including Eugene Melnyk in disguise*

Huddy: I’m not sure what they’re smoking in Ottawa, but they practically gave us this guy for nothing before the trade deadline. What a bunch of chumps. And he’s been a perfect fit, jumping up to form a terrific shutdown pair with Morrissey. A real game-changer if you ask me, or several of his colleagues.

Beaulieu: “I think it’s definitely helped calm the storm a bit. You know what you’re going to get from Dylan, he’s a very simple player. Having that extra right-handed shot is big, too. A lot of guys, me, Sbisa, even (Bitetto) too, ran through playing on the right side. So that’s a big thing, having that. That’s kind of a calming aspect. And I think he’ll help our penalty kill, too, for sure. He’s a smart player, he makes simple plays. So all around it’s going to help the group in more ways than one.”

Huddy: Add it all up, and I’m sure you can see there’s a lot more that meets the eye when it comes to the defence. Sleep on them at your own peril. And with a Vezina Trophy favourite in net and all kinds of firepower up front, the Jets are going to be one difficult out in the upcoming playoffs.

I rest my case.

Trouba, Myers and Chiarot following a brief huddle: After reviewing the evidence before us, we are left with no choice but to reserve our verdict. Come back to us later this summer, or perhaps early in the fall if you’re lucky.

The jury, you could say, is still out.

Byfuglien, entering the court on an ATV wearing hip waders and carrying a string of walleye: Hey guys, sorry I’m late. Did I miss anything?

 

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg