FROM THE PRESS BOX
MIKE SAYS: Yeah, yeah, there’s a hockey game tonight. But I’d be lying if I said my focus wasn’t almost entirely on the trade deadline and what the Jets are going to do as time ticks away here.
The last few games have certainly reinforced the need for two things, in my eyes.
1) Some additional secondary scoring, preferably with a bit of size and speed and ideally who can play in the middle and bump someone like Vlad Namestnikov down to the bottom-six to really even that out.
2) A tough, hard-nosed defenceman who also has some skill and can give the Jets some more bang on the blue-line.
Let’s start up front. To me, it’s Brock Nelson or bust at this point. Unless the Jets are landing Mikko Rantanen (who might really get moved again) or Ryan O’Reilly (who it doesn’t sound like is going anywhere), I think Nelson is the best available option right now and someone they should be extremely aggressive about landing.
Word is he’d not only waive his no-trade clause but also considering signing an extension with Winnipeg, and that should be music to the ears of the organization.
Nelson would shore up the 2C position for the next few years and finally put that to bed. A trio of Scheifele, Nelson, Lowry and Namestnikov up the middle would be as strong as it gets in the NHL.
Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Ivan Fedotov (82) saves the breakaway from Winnipeg Jets’ Kyle Connor (81) during the March 1 game. The teams are set for their second and final matchup of the season tonight. (John Woods / The Canadian Press files)
On the back-end, I love the bite Mario Ferraro brings. There are other names out there that intrigue me as well, including Rasmus Ristolainen, Jamie Oleksiak and Carson Soucy.
Colton Parayko would be a tremendous home run swing, but I don’t imagine the surging St. Louis Blues are going to be shopping him now that they are legit contenders for the final wildcard spot.
I think the Jets also need to add another bottom-six type depth forward — especially with Nikita Chibrikov and Parker Ford both sidelined with long-term injuries — and that’s where some names like old friends Joel Armia or Brandon Tanev, among others could make some sense.
But if this ends up being the only type of move Winnipeg makes, then the trade deadline has to be considered a failure. They need an impact forward, no question, and the time is now.
Sure, the prices may be steep, but if ever there was a time to open the bank account, it’s now.
The Jets are in a prime spot to make a big run but are seeing plenty of other rivals load up. Don’t get left behind.
KEN SAYS: It’s been an uncharacteristically quiet stretch when it comes to goal-scoring for Jets sniper Kyle Connor.
He’s been limited to one goal during his past nine games, and while the assists have been there, he seems like he’s due for a goal-scoring spree. Connor has 36 shots on goal during those nine games — including 10 against the St. Louis Blues in the first game back after the break for 4 Nations Face-Off.
Although he was only out for one game, the return of Dylan Samberg should provide a big boost to the defence corps.
Although the Jets depth on the back end has been applauded for working through injuries and other opportunities provided all season long, Samberg has been a force on the second pairing with Pionk and he’s a critical part of the penalty kill.
“Him and (Pionk) are such a good pair. They play so well together,” said Arniel. “He’s having a really good year and you know what happened there when we lost him there for an extended period of time.
“He’s the type of guy that when you lose a Top-4 defenceman, it’s a big hole in your lineup. Having him back is a big plus.”
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For the Flyers, there’s been plenty of speculation about what general manager Danny Briere might do during the coming days.
Defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen is someone the Jets have shown interest in at previous points. Ristolainen had a strong showing in the meeting last Saturday, generating seven shots on goal to go along with three hits and a blocked shot in just under 20 minutes of ice time.
Forward Scott Laughton is also getting plenty of buzz on the trade rumour mill, so keep an eye on him as well in this outing.
PROJECTED LINES
WINNIPEG JETS
FORWARDS:
- Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
- Ehlers-Namestnikov-Perfetti
- Niederreiter-Lowry-Appleton
- Barron-Gustafsson-Iafallo
DEFENCE:
- Morrissey-DeMelo
- Samberg-Pionk
- Stanley-Miller
GOAL:
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Fleury, D Heinola
INJURED: C Kupari (concussion)
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
FORWARDS:
- Foerster-Cates-Brink
- Kuzmenko-Laughton-Konecny
- Tippett-Couturier-Michkov
- Deslauriers-Poehling-Pelletier
DEFENCE:
- York-Sanheim
- Seeler-Drysdale
- Zamula-Ristolainen
GOAL:
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Johnson, G Kolosov
INJURED: E Ellis (back), RW Hathaway (upper body)
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Jets head coach Scott Arniel on the top line of Mark Scheifele, Gabe Vilardi and Kyle Connor looking to bounce back after a rare off night that saw the trio get outshot (13-3 according to Natural Stat Trick) and out attempted (23-3) heavily by the Islanders at even strength:
“Do what you need to do without the puck to get zone time, to get yourself out of our end of the rink. Those guys know. They’ve been really good all year.
“When they do (play to their strengths), they’re a puck possession line. They get it and hold onto it. They need to get out of our end a little quicker and that will allow them to play down there (in the offensive zone).”
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON
Ken is on the road and will provide the game analysis, plus an early piece on Nino Niederreiter. Both stories will be in Friday’s paper and online at winnipegfreepress.com.
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