Is Winnipeg ready for the Jets? By: Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe Posted: 2:36 PM CST Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024 Last Modified: 4:30 PM CST Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024 Updates

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/01/2024 (638 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Are we having fun yet?

The Winnipeg Jets are flying high, and the Free Press mailbag is overflowing this month with all kinds of goodies. Puck pundits Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe tackle 10 burning questions below.

Dig in!

1. Are the Jets for real? -Bobby

Mike McIntyre: Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. Or something like that. Look, I get why many fans may be skeptical. We’ve seen the Jets start off strong in recent seasons, then fade once the going gets tough. All I can say is there’s something about the way this group is winning — the attention to defensive detail, the collective buy-in, the incredible depth they haven’t always had — which makes me believe this isn’t a mirage. As I wrote the other day, Winnipeg has become very predictable — and I mean that in the most flattering way possible.

Ken Wiebe: That depends on your definition. But if you’re asking if this Jets team is built to sustain success, the early indication is that they look like they’ve moved from bubble team to being among the group of contenders.

With a foundation built on even-strength play, elite goaltending, a deep forward group and a commitment to team defence, the Jets don’t have a lot of weaknesses right now. That prompted Sharks head coach David Quinn to tell reporters on Thursday that he expected the Jets to contend for the Stanley Cup.

Now, a lot would have to go well for the Jets during the final 40 games and change to make sure that proclamation has merit in May and June. This group has been incredibly consistent and the best example of that is the streak of 28 games of allowing two goals or fewer that the Jets take into Sunday’s game against the Arizona Coyotes. The stat is even more impressive when you consider the Jets have allowed three goals only seven times during that span, meaning 21 times they gave up two or fewer.

Again, it’s a marathon and not a sprint but the Jets have shown no signs of being susceptible to a second-half swoon. Does that mean they’ll continue to contend for the President’s Trophy like they did in 2017-18? Only time will tell.

2. At this point in the season, which Jets should be considered for team MVP? -Ed

KW: For a good chunk of the first quarter, this was a two-horse race between centre Mark Scheifele and defenceman Josh Morrissey and then goalie Connor Hellebuyck started doing Connor Hellebuyck things. While all three would still be the finalists on the ballot, Hellebuyck has once again emerged as the front-runner.

Morrissey has taken another step forward after his breakout season and remains in the mix for the Norris Trophy (with Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes leading the way), while Scheifele’s commitment to playing a strong two-way game after signing his seven-year contract extension that kicks in next season has been a critical component to the Jets’ success. That Scheifele has been able to remain a point-per-game producer while enhancing his overall game might just be the biggest development this season.

However, even with the team playing better in front of him, Hellebuyck’s ability to perform at a Vezina Trophy level in a season where so many other NHL teams have been derailed by poor netminding is why I’ve moved him to the top of the list as we approach the midway point.

MM: No argument from me about Hellebuyck. Not only is he the Jets MVP and Vezina Trophy favourite at this point, I also believe he’s in the mix for the Hart Trophy if both he and his team keep up their collective strong play. He’s been that valuable, especially for a team that entered play Sunday tied for top spot in the NHL and with an incredible 28 straight games allowing three goals or less (in most cases it’s been two or less).

3. With the Jets firing on all cylinders, what would you like to see them do at the deadline? Other than Rutger McGroarty, do they have any untouchable trade assets? -Cole

MM: You’re bang-on about McGroarty. He’s definitely untouchable, and should be. The guy oozes talent and charisma, which was on full display during last summer’s development camp when he truly made time for everyone. He’s going to be a big star around here, perhaps a future captain.

That said, the Jets do have assets to dangle. As Kenny points out, that second rounder for Montreal could be lucrative. I wouldn’t rule out the Jets putting their first-rounder into play if the return was significant enough. And perhaps a young defenceman like Heinola, or a young forward like Chaz Lucius or Brad Lambert if they are really thinking big.

It’s going to be a very interesting next couple months around here. As much as Cheveldayoff will want to keep an eye on the future, the present is pretty enticing and should be the prime focus.

KW: The expectation for me would be that the Jets look to add a middle-six forward and a defenceman; whether that’s someone like Chris Tanev that would slot into a top-4 role or not remains to be seen.

The definition of untouchable trade asset can be a bit of a moving target, with countless factors coming into play. I don’t see the Jets being fast and loose with first-round picks or first-rounders that would be of interest to other teams like Colby Barlow or Brad Lambert. Having an extra second rounder that could be in the top-40 (since it previously belonged to the Montreal Canadiens) will be something for the Jets to use as well.

McGroarty, who recently captained Team USA to a gold medal at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship won’t be going anywhere, though that won’t prevent teams from asking about him as a way to drive up the price. Given where the Jets are in terms of their cycle, it stands to reason that they will consider giving up significant assets in the type of deal that could bring an impact player — either one with some short term on their current contract or someone they feel they could convince to stick around for a few more years.

4. I’ve heard many GMs in the past say they made moves at the deadline in order to reward the group. Is there a case to be made that the best way to reward the current Jets roster would be to do nothing substantial? The current depth have all made contributions to their success. Should they just keep the band together? -@AavcoCup

KW: This is a classic case of chicken and egg, but it’s something GMs constantly wrestle with when the team they’re running has put together a strong start to the season.

When a team has a good thing going, there’s always a risk that bringing in a player or several, could disrupt the mojo. However, the reality is that many teams get better and it gets harder to win during the second half of the season, down the stretch and into the playoffs.

It’s also impossible to predict injuries, slumps or even improved play from internal candidates, that’s why managers say they’re always looking to improve. But when it comes to the formula of when to add or how many players to bring in without disrupting a winning formula, that’s the question that either gets your name engraved on the Stanley Cup or leaves someone either with regret for doing too much or perhaps not enough.

There’s no doubt the Jets depth players have played an important role on this run that has them at or around top spot in the NHL. But can the group as currently constructed deliver the 16 postseason wins required to capture the Stanley Cup? That’s where the debate gets interesting.

History has shown us on numerous occasions that adding high profile players doesn’t always work. Then there are cases like last season when the top team in the Western Conference adds someone like Ivan Barbashev and he’s a perfect fit alongside Jack Eichel on the top line. The Jets have enough high-end talent that they don’t need (and can’t really afford) to add an elite forward, but there’s a case to be made for adding a middle six forward who can play either centre or wing.

On defence, adding a puck-mover with size and experience would also help their cause. But the fit has to be right on the character side as well.

So to answer the question, most of the band will be kept together but I suspect Kevin Cheveldayoff is of the belief that rewarding this group by adding to the mix is the way to go if the price is right.

MM: A great question, and I can see the underlying message that would be sent by it. However, I firmly believe you can never be deep enough, especially when envisioning a long playoff run.

If I were the Jets GM, I’d be keeping my eyes wide open about possible moves that could make a very good team even better. And I think any potential hard feelings among the current crop of players would quickly be eased by a talent injection, especially when they see so many close rivals doing the same around the trade deadline.

5. Do the Jets need a second line centre. If so, what are some names to look out for before the trade deadline? -Kerry

MM: Give Vladislav Namestnikov — aka Mr. Versatile — a tip of the cap for the job he’s done. That said, a second line upgrade at the centre position could be in the cards.

Combine that with Connor returning and it would allow Namestnikov to move down the lineup, along with Alex Iafallo. The money might be an issue, as he’s signed for another year at US $6.5 million, but I wonder if the Ottawa Senators might be looking to move out Claude Giroux given that their season is quickly going nowhere.

Elias Lindholm of the Calgary Flames is another name that’s out there. Or how about Pavel Buchnevich of St Louis? Any of those players would like pretty nice skating with Kyle Connor and Cole Perfetti on the second line, don’t you think?

KW: The Jets have a number of viable internal options, including Namestnikov, who has performed admirably in the job since his promotion from the top line early in the season. Would the Jets like to upgrade the depth at that position?

Well, if past behaviour continues to be a predictor of future behaviour, it stands to reason the Jets will do their due diligence. They’ve brought in Paul Stastny, Kevin Hayes and Cody Eakin before, so it’s definitely going to be a consideration. We will go into greater detail on the options as the deadline approaches, but it’s too early to tell if the Jets will be a suitor for someone like Lindholm of the Flames.

I also don’t think it’s a given the Jets add a centre instead of a winger. That will depend on the fit and the price tag.

6. With Kyle Connor — at some point — returning to the lineup, would Sean Monahan from Montreal (for a second rounder) be a fit? -Frank

KW: Monahan deserves high praise for his ability to come back from serious injury to become a key contributor to the Montreal Canadiens. He’s a solid centre, is having another strong season and will be of interest to many teams leading into the NHL trade deadline. He’s on an expiring contract and affordable, enhancing his value to contending teams that are tight to the cap, since salary retention won’t likely be required.

Monahan is strong in the circle and that’s an area the Jets are looking for improvement. However, for me the price tag of a second-rounder would be too high, especially if the Canadiens were attempting to get back the pick that originally belonged to them and went to the Jets in the summer blockbuster for Pierre-Luc Dubois.

Monahan might be on the radar, but I think the Jets could be aiming for a more impactful player if they’re looking at adding a second-line centre.

MM: I don’t hate the idea, but I honestly believe the Jets could aim a bit higher.

7. As a dedicated fan of the Jets I am still fuming about Kyle Connor’s injury. I know this rule would never pass, but what do you think about when a player gets a game misconduct, he should not be allowed to play with his team during the recovery of the injured player? -Bertie

MM: I hear what you’re saying, Bertie, but unfortunately in a high-speed, high-impact game like hockey where split-second decisions can have major consequences, the injury to Kyle Connor is just “part of the game.”

As such, I don’t imagine anyone — including the injured players themselves — would be up for the kind of rule change you propose. To Winnipeg’s credit, they haven’t let Connor’s injury alter their course, continuing to fly high without their top scorer who could be back in the next couple weeks.

KW: There is no “fair” outcome when it comes to injuries. Ducks forward Ryan Strome wasn’t even suspended for the incident in question, as the league ruled it wasn’t intentional.

It’s virtually impossible to envision a scenario where the department of player safety ties the length of a suspension to the health or recovery of a player. It’s a contact sport played at high speeds and unfortunately, injuries are a part of the game. I’m in favour of stiffer penalties when warranted, but I don’t think you can force a guy to sit out 6-to-8 weeks because that’s how long the injured player is out for.

Some players also take longer to heal than others, so that could complicate things under this set of handing out discipline based on recovery. Teams could eventually try to use this to their advantage as well, so that would be another concern.

8. I was just wondering what your thoughts are on the logjam on our defence now that Ville Heinola is getting close to getting back? Do you think the Jets will risk trying to put Logan Stanley on Waivers because they won’t be able to keep 9 (if all remain healthy)? -Dave

KW: We’ve had some version of this question in each of our mailbags and that will likely continue for at least the next two. Not much has changed over the past 30 days, other than Nate Schmidt elevating his game and solidifying his spot on the third pairing after dealing with multiple healthy scratches this season.

I will reiterate that Heinola is going to need time — maybe even multiple weeks — of game action with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League to help get him up to game speed.; not as a punishment, but because of the nature of the ankle injury and the amount of time he’s already missed.

It’s incredibly challenging to be thrust into a NHL season around the midway point when a player hasn’t been involved in game action since early October. Once it has been determined Heinola is ready to play in the NHL, and provided there are no other injuries on the back end to contend with, then the Jets will have a decision to make.

I don’t necessarily believe it means exposing Stanley or Declan Chisholm to waivers, but that will be a consideration if there isn’t a trade to be made because, as you mentioned, it’s hard to envision a scenario where the Jets carry nine blue-liners. It’s also important to remember that Heinola is going to have to leapfrog several players on the depth chart if he’s going to work his way into the regular rotation. Schmidt’s improved play has made that task even more difficult, but competition has served the Jets’ forward group well and it should do the same for the defence.

The question could become even more complex should the Jets look to add to the D corps prior to the NHL trade deadline.

MM: Ville Heinola would have been in the starting lineup in Calgary back in October had he not broken his ankle. But he did, and the season has marched on without him.

Unfortunately for young Finn, that likely means he’s going to have to be extremely patient when it comes to finding a spot now in a group that is going so well. At this point, winning has to be the top priority for the Jets, not worrying about development — and that probably means Heinola is the odd man out for now.

Given that he’s waiver exempt, and given that I don’t see an immediate job opening for him with the Jets barring an injury or two, the best thing for him might be to work his way back up to top speed with the Moose and be ready for if/when he’s needed. That would also allow the Jets to keep Stanley and Chisholm away from waivers, which I believe they wish to do.

Now, should the team add a blue-liner by the deadline, as I suspect they might, they may have no choice but to risk losing one of those players.

9. I, like many others I’m sure, are left to wonder where the Jets would find themselves if they’re PP and PK stats were better – even to the point of at least matching their opponents. It seems like game after game their PP and PK stats %s do not match their opponents. -Bob

MM: The Jets are currently on top of the NHL in spite of mediocre to poor special teams for much of the season. The good news, in my eyes, is this group is talented enough to eventually figure it out. The last two games in San Jose and Anaheim are solid steps in that direction, and I’d suspect that trend to continue into the second half.

If it does, that would give the Jets another big weapon, allowing them to grind out points/wins even in games when they’re not clicking on all cylinders. And, as Nikolaj Ehlers told Ken in Anaheim the other night, it’s something you really want in your toolbox once you get to the playoffs.

KW: The question is a fair one and there’s no doubt that improving special teams play is a top priority for the Jets as the season moves along. How many additional wins would even a league average power play or penalty kill translate into? That’s almost impossible to project, though it’s something that might have given the Jets some slight separation in the Central Division, where they’re battling tooth and nail with the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars.

Jets head coach Rick Bowness has been direct in saying that special teams has cost his team several games. Recently, that trend changed on consecutive nights as the Jets used strong special teams to defeat the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks. Should that continue, one would expect the Jets to show further improvement.

However, the Jets are in a much better place having five-on-five play as the foundation to their success as they battle for first overall in the NHL, because even a historic power play can go cold for stretches.

Let’s put it this way, even if the Jets can inch their power play from the bottom of the middle third (21st) closer to the upper tier of that middle third and the penalty kill can improve slightly from it’s tied for 26th standing, it should allow the Jets to retain its status as a contender.

10. I do not see much difference in guys on the PK from last year, so are the other teams PP adjusting to our guys, or are there other metrics in play? -Grant

KW: This is a question that the Jets coaching staff has been searching for an answer to as well; the personnel is a bit different, with the departures of Kevin Stenlund (having a strong season with the Florida Panthers) and Saku Maenalanen, but the Jets replaced them with players that are capable of handling the job.

Alex Iafallo wasn’t used much on the penalty kill in the early stages of the season, but he seems to be settling into the role. Morgan Barron has taken on more responsibility as well. For me, this is less about personnel or even strategy, it’s about execution.

The Jets did a better job of clearing the puck down the ice last season, and one area I suspect — but don’t have the data to reinforce — was zone entry denials. The Jets excelled at this as they moved into 7th in the NHL on the PK; it seems like teams are entering the offensive zone a bit easier this season.

All to say, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Jets penalty kill improves during the second half as they make some minor adjustments and improve on the execution side — especially when you consider how well both goalies are performing right now.

MM: This has become a huge focus for the Jets coaching staff, especially in the video room as they try to find clues about what changed. Given the amount of pre-scouting that happens, no doubt part of it is other teams figuring out what Winnipeg is trying to do and adjusting.

Clearly, the Jets adjustments to the adjustments are still a work-in-progress. At this point, the goal will be trying to get it all figured out before the stakes become even higher in the spring.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X: @mikemcintyrewpg

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

X: @WiebesWorld