Jets mailbag: Ironing out the crease, the defensive corps and new additions on readers’ minds

The Winnipeg Jets have hit the quarter mark of the NHL season and find themselves right in the thick of a heated playoff race involving pretty much every other Western Conference team.

Other than the Colorado Avalanche, nobody is threatening lap the field. That’s upped the urgency for every game and created plenty of angst around here for fans who — let’s be honest — got a bit spoiled by last year’s incredible 15-1-0 start out of the gate.

It’s also resulted in plenty of questions surrounding the state of the team. Are they spinning their tires? In danger of crashing? Is there another gear or two they can find?

Free Press hockey writers Ken Wiebe and Mike McIntyre have the answers in the latest edition of our monthly Jets mailbag.

1. How will the Jets divide the games in net while Connor Hellebuyck is out?

LEE

WIEBE: Barring something unforeseen, Eric Comrie will carry the bulk of the load while Hellebuyck recovers from the knee issue that required arthroscopic surgery on Saturday.

Comrie has worked extremely hard after his return to the Jets and is prepared for this close up. But with the Jets facing a pair of back-to-back scenarios during the next two weeks, all signs point to Thomas Milic (who was recalled from the American Hockey League after an outstanding start with the Manitoba Moose that includes a .921 save percentage and 2.21 goals-against average in nine games) making his NHL debut on Saturday against the Nashville Predators.

Milic should also get one of the games the following weekend against either the Buffalo Sabres on Friday or the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.

Milic, who was chosen by the Jets in the fifth round of the 2023 NHL Draft (as a 20-year-old), is someone the organization believes in. So, getting this unexpected look at him, no matter how many starts Milic makes, could prove to have some benefits.

It’s also possible the Jets look for someone with a little more experience, given the timeline for Hellebuyck’s return. Comrie has never made more than 20 appearances (and 18 starts) at the NHL level, but he carried a heavy workload during four of his seasons with the Moose. In a relatively small sample size this season, Comrie has been steady, going 4-2 with a .899 save percentage and 2.60 goals-against average in six starts going into Sunday’s game with the Minnesota Wild.

This is a stiff test for both the Jets and the goalies they will roll out during Hellebuyck’s absence. Depending on the recovery, Hellebuyck could miss between 14 and 20 games. It’s up to Comrie and Milic to show they can handle the increased responsibilities, otherwise Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff may have to scour the market for another option — even if it’s a temporary solution.

2. I was wondering why Colin Miller hasn’t played much this season. Any ideas?

JUDY

MCINTYRE: You aren’t the only one with that question, Judy. In our game-day Warm-Up newsletter, I’ve pondered that topic myself at least a handful of times already this year.

It would be one thing if the six defencemen in the lineup were playing so well that you simply couldn’t make a move. But that’s not the case.

I’m looking at you, Luke Schenn — a guy who happens to play the exact same spot (third pairing, right-shot) that Miller would otherwise slot into. Schenn, 36, is really struggling, with his lack of mobility and foot speed really being exposed.

Whether you’re using the so-called “eye test” or the underlying analytics, there’s no way to sugar-coat it. Yet clearly the coaching staff is seeing something different as they keep rolling Schenn out, with him appearing in 16 of the first 20 games (at least a couple of his four absences were injury-related).

Miller, meanwhile, has played in just five contests. Unfortunately for Miller, he hasn’t exactly made a compelling case himself, with plenty of rough patches in that rather short sample size.

At the very least, I’d like to see more of a rotation happening — especially with Dylan Samberg now back from injury, pushing Logan Stanley down to the third pair. I don’t think Stanley-Schenn is a viable NHL tandem, especially when the Jets are on the road and can’t control last change.

There’s still a spot for Schenn on this roster, I believe. He’s a Stanley Cup winner, oozes character and brings physicality to the lineup. But I think the ship has sailed on him being a regular.

I do wonder, once Haydn Fleury is cleared from concussion protocol, if we might see him given a look on the right-side (he’s a left-shot) with Stanley. At this point, I think it’s worth a shot.

3. If you were head coach Scott Arniel, after 20 games, how concerned are you about the production of Jonathan Toews and Gustav Nyquist? Do you foresee one or both of them being key cogs on a productive second line for the Jets in the second half of the season?

CRAIG

WIEBE: I don’t think concerned is a word Arniel would use yet, nor would I.

There were definitely questions surrounding the level of production that Toews and Nyquist would supply, for different reasons entirely. Toews’ journey back to health meant he went two-and-a-half years between NHL games, so it stands to reason that the first quarter of being back in the league would include a few challenges.

The Winnipegger got off to a decent start and it’s important to remember his value to the Jets stretches beyond the traditional stat line (which currently sits at two goals and eight points in 20 games). However, Toews’ production has flattened out, as he’s been limited to one goal during his past eight games, despite generating some chances for himself and his linemates.

Right now, he’s on pace for somewhere in the neighbourhood of 30-to-32 points. Toews has shown his hockey intelligence on numerous occasions and he’s among the league leaders in faceoff percentage (63 per cent) and there’s no doubt he’s having a positive influence in the room. I expect him to produce at a higher level during this second quarter and for him to be at his best when the games are the toughest. Reaching 40 points won’t surprise me.

Nyquist is an interesting study. Just when it looked like he was putting a slow start behind him, he was sidelined by a lower-body injury. Since then, he’s got one assist to move him to six assists in 15 games while still searching for his first goal.

The Jets were banking on Nyquist producing more on this one-year, show-me contract and they’re not ready to come to the conclusion that he can’t — or won’t. But there’s going to need to be a sharp uptick in his game for him to grow into a key cog on the second line in the second half of the season. At this point, he could be hard-pressed to eclipse the 11 goals and 28 points he recorded with the Nashville Predators and Wild last season.

4. When do the Jets finally give up and call up Elias Salomonsson and get him some NHL experience? I can’t see them getting any further in the playoffs unless Josh Morrissey has a more physical partner (Salomonsson or a deadline pickup) and Dylan Demelo anchoring a third pairing with hopefully, a deadline pickup or Salomonsson. I’m ready to put any or all of Colin Miller, Luke Schenn or Haydn Fleury on waivers to make room and keep Logan Stanley as the 7th guy. I’m betting at least 2 out of the 3 would clear waivers.

ROB

MCINTYRE: Count me among those who would love to see Salomonsson get a bit of a look in the coming weeks. As I mentioned in my answer above, Schenn isn’t moving the needle at all, nor is Miller at this stage.

Why not give your top blue-line prospect, who by all accounts is off to another strong start with the Moose, a bit of a test run?

You’ve actually identified the most obvious answer at the end of your question — waivers. I suspect that with eight healthy defencemen (once Fleury is cleared from concussion protocol), the team is reluctant to try to send anyone down for fear of losing potential depth.

Don’t forget, they’ve been burned a couple times before with Johnny Kovacevic and Declan Chisholm. Of course, those were drafted and developed young skaters and not veterans like Miller, Schenn or Fleury.

Bottom line: I’m not holding my breath waiting for this to happen, even thought I think it would be worthwhile. Until and unless the injury bug hits the back-end in a bigger way then we’ve seen so far, Salomonsson is likely going to have to keep biding his time on the farm.

5. In your estimation, which Jets receive high grades for the first quarter of the season? And which ones need to step up their game?

ED

WIEBE: The highest individual grades for the first quarter belong to defenceman Josh Morrissey (riding a seven-game point streak and up to 22 points in 20 games), centre Mark Scheifele and left-winger Kyle Connor, while Connor Hellebuyck was playing at a level that had him right in the middle of the Vezina Trophy discussion while playing through some discomfort with his knee.

Winger Gabe Vilardi was limited to four assists in his first nine games, but is flirting with being a point-per-game player and is up to eight goals after scoring twice on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Defenceman Neal Pionk took on expanded minutes in the absence of Dylan Samberg and has steadied himself since Samberg returned as his partner.

Cole Perfetti was limited to six games in the first quarter and deserves some additional grace as he works himself back up to speed after dealing with an ankle injury, but the Jets need more from the second line and Perfetti has the potential to drive the line and be the primary shooter on it.

The Jets will also be looking for both Luke Schenn and Colin Miller to raise their level on the third defence pairing.

6. Are Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard playing well enough to squeeze Mark Scheifele off the team Canada Olympic roster?

@aavcocup.bsky.social

MCINTYRE: No question the two first-overall picks are taking the league by storm this season, proving the future really is now.

If I’m Team Canada brass, I’m absolutely taking a long hard look at bringing one, if not both, players to Italy.

Here’s the thing, though: Would it necessarily be at the expense of someone like Scheifele? I’m not so sure.

If Celebrini and/or Bedard are going to play, I’d think a top six role would have to be the plan. I don’t see either, at this young stage of their career, adapting nearly as well to a bottom-six type assignment which might require them to check a lot more than they’re used to.

I suppose we can debate if Scheifele would be up for that task, but he’s made significant strides in his defensive game over the years and has even shown a willingness to move to the wing if needed. And I think if Scheifele is on the roster, he’s most certainly going to be cast in a bottom-six role on this loaded team.

No question Team Canada has one of those “good problems” right now — so many talented, deserving players, and only so many spots — which is likely keeping the decision makers tossing and turning.

These next few weeks, leading up to the rosters being finalized at the end of December, are going to be fascinating.

7. Morgan Barron is my favourite Jet and I’d love to see him with more ice time. He drives the fourth line, but what if he and Vlad Namestnikov trade places? Do you think the second line would be more effective?

RODGER

WIEBE: Frequent mailbag readers and question askers understand that I’m in favour of increased responsibilities for Barron, even if it means shifting him back to the wing from centre, where he has excelled since the decision was made late last season.

Namestnikov got off to an excellent start this season, posting six goals and seven points in relatively short order. He’s now gone eight games without recording a point, so the timing could be right for a change like the one you proposed.

Namestnikov is someone who has consistently shown he can play anywhere in the lineup and he won’t change his style. Moving him back to the middle on the fourth line would provide an interesting look with some combination of Alex Iafallo, Cole Koepke or Tanner Pearson.

As for Barron, his speed and tenacity would likely mesh well with Jonathan Toews and Cole Perfetti. Barron is someone I’ve mentioned as a possible linemate for Lowry down the road as well, but giving him a test drive with Toews and Perfetti is something that should take priority.

Barron’s potential to be a guy who scores 15-plus goals has been on display already this season and increasing his ice time could help him take the next step in his development.

8. How do the Jets centres rate percentage wise in winning faceoffs?

SHELDON

MCINTYRE: Let’s start with the big picture: As a team, Winnipeg sat tied for sixth-overall in faceoff winning percentage as of Saturday, with a 52.9 per cent efficiency in the dot.

Last year, they were 49.3 per cent, which was 21st. The year prior, 47.6 per cent, for 24th.

What changed? The arrival of a certain 37-year-old three-time Stanley Cup champion who already has a community club and a lake named after him in this province.

Jonathan Toews is winning 63 per cent of his draws so far this year, which is second best among all NHL players. (Ottawa’s Claude Giroux leads the way).

But it’s not simply a one-man show for the Jets. Morgan Barron (53.3 per cent) and Mark Scheifele (50.5 per cent) are also getting their team the puck more often than not, while Adam Lowry (49.5 per cent through his eight games) is pretty much a coin flip as well.

Those are now the four centres on the team, with Parker Ford (44.6 per cent, back with the Manitoba Moose) and Vlad Namestnikov (36.7 per cent, back on the wing) filling in earlier this season but not having the same success.

You can debate how important faceoffs are — some pundits put very little stock on them, while I personally think puck possession is the name of the game, especially in key moments such as a defensive zone draw on the penalty kill or an offensive zone faceoff on the power play or chasing a game late — but the Jets are more than holding their own this year.

9. With his recent signing, would you agree that naming Adam Lowry as captain, in the wake of Paul Maurice’s departure and the removal of the captaincy for Blake Wheeler, was possibly the most crucial moment in Jets 2.0 existence?

IAN

WIEBE: Well, there’s no doubt that the decision made by then head coach Rick Bowness was a monumental one. As for the most crucial moment in the franchise’s existence, it makes for interesting debate.

Lowry’s ascension to captain after being the second player chosen in Jets’ 2.0 history is a remarkable story and that he’s decided to be the latest player in line to spend his entire career with the organization is noteworthy and impressive.

Lowry’s rugged, throwback style has made him a fan favourite and his inclusive and accountable nature has allowed him to thrive as a leader and in many ways, as the face of the franchise. The decision to make Lowry captain has been in the middle of the Jets’ revival back into contender status, there’s no argument here.

The impact of that decision should be felt throughout these next six seasons — likely enhancing its importance and strengthening your case.

But in terms of most crucial moments in the 15-year history of the franchise, signing top centre Mark Scheifele and All-World goalie Connor Hellebuyck to matching seven-year extensions in October of 2023 has to be right up there. The emergence of fellow homegrown talents, defenceman Josh Morrissey and Kyle Connor, as bona fide NHL stars is also on the podium.

And while things didn’t end up the way either side envisioned, the Jets choosing Patrik Laine second overall in 2016 after moving up in the NHL Draft lottery is a moment that won’t soon be forgotten, given the way those first several seasons went and with what the trade tree has since yielded.

10. I am always frustrated by your references to Winnipeg as a “challenging” destination for NHL players. How is Winnipeg different from other cold smallish hockey towns, like Edmonton, or Ottawa, or Minneapolis, or Buffalo? Would you want to live in Detroit or St. Louis, or even Columbus or Raleigh? What do you think can be done, if anything?

VALERIE

MCINTYRE: This would be a case of “don’t shoot the messenger.” I’m simply reporting what players (and agents) around the league have said through plenty of anonymous surveys, not to mention stipulations of various contracts.

The cold, hard truth is that Winnipeg isn’t, and probably never will be, a prime destination. However, one thing is clear, and it’s something I’ve gone to great lengths to write about in recent years: The players who do find their way here, whether that’s through the draft, trade or free agency, tend to fall in love with the place.

For the most recent example, see the sit-down chat I did with Dylan DeMelo a few weeks ago. Just like you, Valerie, he also got his back up a bit over Winnipeg’s perception around the league.

To your question of what can be done, building a Stanley Cup champion wouldn’t hurt the case. That’s a pretty good selling feature. So is having a team in “win now” mode with plenty of cap space and a rock-solid core of foundational pieces such as Connor Hellebuyck, Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Adam Lowry — all of whom are likely going to be Jets for life.

True North does have a reputation of going above and beyond for its players, something I’ve heard often from those who have left here and found the grass maybe wasn’t as green in another market as they expected.

Bottom line: Winnipeg is always going to have its challenges. We are a small market by NHL standards and the winter weather is what it is. Those are things nobody can control.

winnipegfreeprss.com/mikemcintyre

winnipegfreepress.com/kenwiebe