MAILBAG CALLOUT
The Jets monthly mailbag is open, so please send your questions to Mike and Ken by replying to this email or reaching out via email or social media. We’ll have your answers next week.
FROM THE PRESS BOX
MIKE SAYS: I thought one of the few bright spots Monday night was the play of Nikita Chibrikov, who had plenty of energy and quickly got under the skin of the Golden Knights with a big hit on Brayden McNabb, which led to a big scrum and, ultimately, a Jets power play.
That’s the type of game the young Russian skater can play, and it can translate well to a bottom-six role in the NHL. The Jets don’t have a lot of what I would call “shift disturbers” in their lineup or in the farm system, but Chibrikov certainly checks off plenty of boxes.
I suspect Brayden Yager will be a bit more comfortable tonight as he plays his second big-league game. I actually liked the line with Yager, Chibrikov and Nino Niederreiter.
The Jets began the year as one of the league’s oldest teams, but with Yager, Chibrikov, Brad Lambert and Isak Rosén now holding down four of the 12 forward spots — and the injured Elias Salomonsson on the blue line — there’s been quite a youth movement in recent weeks.
And I figure that will continue, either tonight or on Thursday, with perhaps the likes of Colby Barlow and Tyrel Bauer called up to make their NHL debuts as well.
The Jets shut down veterans Neal Pionk, Alex Iafallo and Vlad Namestnikov prior to Monday’s game for ailments they’ve been playing through, and I suspect there’s at least a few others who could now be in the same boat with the Jets no longer in a playoff race.
I have no doubt one of those is Josh Morrissey, whose level of play hasn’t dropped one bit despite the fact that he’s clearly battling through some physical issues.
Winnipeg Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey (Mike Sudoma / Free Press files)
Let the record show it would serve the Jets well in the long-term to drop these next two games to the Mammoth and Sharks with the idea of getting the best odds at the best draft pick possible.
Winnipeg could sure use an impact prospect in the system, and most scouts seem to think there’s plenty of gold to be found in the first seven picks, at least, of this summer’s draft.
KEN SAYS: Just like that, most of the attention will turn to where the Jets finish in the NHL standings and ultimately, where they land in the draft lottery, which will be held on May 5.
As it stands right now, the Jets are tied for 26th overall with the Florida Panthers at 82 points, so dropping the final two games might actually allow Winnipeg to increase its odds for a higher pick.
For the sake of context, the Jets finished 26th overall in 2016 when they moved up to second overall in the draft lottery and had the opportunity to select Patrik Laine at second overall.
Just last season, the New York Islanders finished 23rd overall and jumped all the way up to first overall, where the prize was soon-to-be Calder Trophy winner Matthew Schaefer.
It’s been said on numerous occasions that having a Top-5 pick (especially if it’s somehow in the top three) is one of the things that could help the Jets jump back into the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2027.
But there’s plenty of time for draft simulations and wondering where the Jets will be picking in the first round in late June.
So what will the Jets be looking for in these final two outings of the regular season?
There are a handful of players on track to earn an Iron Man award by appearing in each of the 82 games, including Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Jonathan Toews, Gabriel Vilardi and Dylan DeMelo.
Toews hasn’t played a full season since 2018-19, so you can be sure it’s something he’d like to accomplish when you consider the trials and tribulations he’s gone through with his health.
Vilardi has yet to hit the mark and it would cap what’s been an impressive season for the right-winger who signed a contract extension last summer.
With Scheifele (100 points), Connor (90 points) and Vilardi (30 goals, 67 points), most of the big individual milestones have been hit, though Toews needs just one more point to reach 30 for a 16th consecutive NHL season.
Mammoth forward Dylan Guenther continues to progress and he’s emerged as one of the true snipers in the NHL, as he’s up to 40 goals and 72 points in 78 games. He’s got a wicked release and is a weapon at both even strength and on the power play, where he’s recorded 23 of those markers.
Former Jets blue-liner Nate Schmidt has proven to be a strong free agent signing, averaging just under 20 minutes per game while anchoring the second pairing, putting up five goals and 21 points, all of which have come at even strength, to go along with a plus-28 rating (which is the highest total he’s posted in his 13 NHL seasons).
Although there are still some flaws when it comes to the value of the plus/minus stat, Schmidt’s number tells you he’s on the ice for a lot more goals for than goals against, at even strength, and he’s winning a lot of his matchups.
PROJECTED LINES
WINNIPEG JETS
FORWARDS
- Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
- Perfetti-Lowry-Lambert
- Koepke-Toews-Rosen
- Niederreiter-Yager-Chibrikov
DEFENCE
- Morrissey-DeMelo
- Samberg-Miller
- Fleury-Bryson
GOAL
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Heinola
INJURED: D Salomonsson (concussion protocol), D Pionk (undisclosed), C Barron (lower-body), F Nyquist (undisclosed), F Namestnikov (lower body),F Iafallo (undisclosed)
UTAH MAMMOTH
FORWARDS
- Keller-Schmaltz-Crouse
- Yamamoto-Cooley-Guenther
- Peterka-Kerfoot-Carcone
- Tanev-Stenlund-O’Brien
DEFENCE
- Sergachev-Weegar
- Schmidt-Simashev
- Cole-Durzi
GOALIE
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D DeSimone, F Rooney
INJURED: G Vejmelka (undisclosed), D Marino (upper body), C Hayton (upper body), C McBain (upper body)
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Jets coach Scott Arniel to reporters in Las Vegas after his team was eliminated from playoff contention:
“You know what, it’s a terrible feeling. We went from 11 points down to one at one time. It’s a tough feeling. I know the guys are hurting. We all want to be in the playoffs, that’s what our job is.”
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON
Mike has game coverage of Jets vs. Mammoth. You can find his story online tonight at winnipegfreepress.com and in Wednesday’s print edition of the newspaper.
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