FROM THE PRESS BOX
MIKE SAYS: I was curious to see how the Jets responded to GM Kevin Cheveldayoff’s much-debated decision to mostly stand pat at the trade deadline, save for adding the two depth pieces in Tanev and Schenn.
Well, colour me impressed — not only by the way they played against the Devils, but by what came out of the mouths of several players following the dominant victory.
They certainly looked and sounded like a group that truly appreciates the chance to keep pushing forward with essentially the same players that have got them to the top of the regular season standings. Several people in my social media feeds and email inbox suggested players would be upset that bigger moves were made, but I don’t see it that way.
Josh Morrissey said he was “super pumped” and called Tanev and Schenn “vitally important” adds. Lowry said he’s not concerned about what some perceive as an “arms race” in the Central Division, is happy his team maintained “cohesiveness and chemistry” that got them to No. 1 so far and believes the two “high character” players they added “will allow us to keep rolling.”
If anything, the outside noise painting the Jets as trade deadline “losers” for not doing more, in addition to the ongoing issue (both real and perceived) that some players don’t want to come to Winnipeg through free agency and trades, likely only adds even more motivation to a group that already knows they need to right some recent playoff wrongs starting next month. Of course, whether they can walk the walk in that regard will render the ultimate verdict on this season.
Turning to the Hurricanes, I’ll be watching Stankoven closely. He was my pre-season pick to win the Calder Trophy, but with just 29 points (9G, 20A) in 59 games on a deep, talented Dallas roster he’s far behind the frontrunners such as Philadelphia’s Matvei Michkov, San Jose’s Macklin Celebrini, Montreal’s Lane Hutson and Calgary’s Dustin Wolf (and, to be honest, probably a few others).
The 22-year-old is clearly going to get a chance to shine in his new hockey home as the prized return for Rantanen and I suspect will want to make a solid first impression in his debut.
I’m also curious to see former Jets forward Jack Roslovic, who got off to a blazing start this year but has really cooled down. He does have 19 goals, which is three off matching his career high, and the Hurricanes could certainly benefit from him getting hot again.
Funny story: Roslovic began the year wearing No. 96 but agreed to give it up to Rantanen once he came over from Colorado. In exchange, he was gifted a Rolex.
Now, with Rantanen gone after just 13 mostly forgettable games with Carolina, Roslovic has reverted back to the number. Presumably, he gets to keep the watch. Given that Rantanen just signed an eight-year, US $96 million extension, I don’t think he’s going to be asking for it back.
KEN SAYS: The second-line centre role was a topic of interest throughout the course of the past week, especially after Brock Nelson didn’t end up with the Jets and joined a division rival instead. That happens, but now it’s incumbent on Vladislav Namestnikov to continue to show he can handle the job.
He’s got 10 goals and is averaging .5 points per game, with 30 points in 60 contests, but while he’s been consistent with his effort, the production has run both hot and cold. Although his contributions stretch beyond the traditional boxcar statistics, Namesntikov has gone seven games without recording a point, so he’ll be looking to get going offensively.
Prior to the recent run, Namestnikov put together a five-game point streak that included a goal and six helpers, so he’s got the ability to chip in more on the line with Nikolaj Ehlers and Cole Perfetti. Namestnikov left the offence to linemates Nikolaj Ehlers (one goal, two assists) and Cole Perfetti (one goal, which helped him tie his career-high for points).
Speaking of centres, it was interesting to see the Jets shift Morgan Barron to the middle on the fourth line with Alex Iafallo and Tanev.
The line was effective, getting the scoring started as Iafallo crashed the net and deposited a rebound home after the initial shot from defenceman Colin Miller. As for Barron, he looked comfortable in the role, which should come as no surprise since he played centre at times in college and in the American Hockey League. Barron recorded three shots on goal and three hits and finished 56 per cent in the faceoff circle.
With Rasmus Kupari still in concussion protocol, using Barron in the middle of that line makes sense, since it could be an option for Arniel even when Kupari is healthy.
Although he recognized he probably got away with what should have been a hooking penalty on Friday, Jets defenceman Dylan DeMelo saved another sure goal by winning a battle with Devils forward Jesper Bratt in front of the net after the puck had snuck behind Hellebuyck and was laying in the crease. DeMelo seems to have a sixth sense in those situations, as he prevents multiple markers every season.
Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal is known more for being a Selke Trophy candidate for his defensive play at this stage of his career, but he’s fifth in team scoring with 31 points in 63 games and has enjoyed ample offensive success against the Jets, notching 17 goals and 27 points in 43 career games against the franchise.
PROJECTED LINES
WINNIPEG JETS
FORWARDS:
- Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
- Ehlers-Namestnikov-Perfetti
- Niederreiter-Lowry-Appleton
- Tanev-Barron-Iafallo
DEFENCE:
- Morrissey-DeMelo
- Samberg-Pionk
- Stanley-Miller
GOAL:
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Schenn, D Fleury, D Heinola, C Gustafsson
INJURED: C Kupari (concussion)
CAROLINA HURRICANES
FORWARDS:
- Svechnikov-Aho-Stankoven
- Martinook-Staal-Jarvis
- Hall-Koktaniemi-Blake
- Robinson-Jankowski-Roslovic
DEFENCE:
- Slavin-Burns
- Gostisbehere-Walker
- Orlov-Chatfield
GOAL:
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Morrow, F Jost
INJURED: RW Fast (neck), LW Carrier (lower body)
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey on the return of Brandon Tanev in the deadline deal trade and the impact he made in Friday’s win:
“Pumped to have him back. You saw what he does out there. Buzzes around, plays physical. He’s on the kill, big blocked shots, battles on the wall. Stuff that you need all year round, but especially down the stretch and into the playoffs. We know what he’s all about, the heart and soul that he plays with, and just excited to have him back. Lots of smiles when he came into the locker room today.”
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON
Ken is on the road to wrap up the four-game road trip and will provide the game analysis, plus an early piece on newcomer Luke Schenn. Both stories will be in Monday’s paper and online at winnipegfreepress.com.
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