People actually cheering for Pavelec to fail in Jets net

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 01/11/2014 (3063 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Free Press hockey writer Ed Tait offers 10 quick takes on the Jets after 10 games of the 2014-15 season:

1. How many Jets fans and media actually cheer for Ondrej Pavelec to fail now, as part of some sort of “I told you so” narrative? I keep saying/writing this, but it seems like every goal against has become a referendum on his career.

2. FYI: the Jets after 10 games this year 4-5-1. And after 10 games last year: 4-5-1. Since opening 9-2 under Paul Maurice last year the Jets are 13-15-6. There is something there in terms of systems and the buy-in, but the results look the same.

3. Nobody asked me, but this Dustin Byfuglien hybrid thing — playing wing regularly and dropping back to the point on the power play and for 4-on-4 — is the best use of his talents and ice time.

4. Still don’t understand why so many find so many flaws in Toby Enstrom’s game. He’s not a physical force, but he’s positionally sound, uses his stick to break up a ton of plays and rarely makes a bad pass. And every D partner he plays with raves about him.

5. Two Jets in their Top 9 still without a goal: Michael Frolik and Matthieu Perrault. Those two combined for 33 goals and 85 points last year.

6. The goals are also going to come for Mark Scheifele. He might lead the NHL in shots off goal posts. If he continues to be creative and the chemistry brewing with Wheeler and Kane builds, he should hit 20.

7. Adam Lowry is never going to lead the Jets in scoring. But his decision making is that of a polished pro and as he gets more comfortable with the puck he could be a 40-point, third-line centre who bangs and uses his size to bang with the big lads in the Western Conference. And Jets management would kill for that.

8. Credit the Jets for the patience with Paul Postma. He’s been solid, particularly over the past three-four games and makes good reads as to when to take some offensive chances.

9. Over-under for starts by Michael Hutchinson might now be 10. Figured he’d start more, but he struggled against L.A. in his lone start. While he was decent in relief vs. Tampa, don’t be surprised if Pavelec appears in 70-plus games.

10. The stat line from the Jets fourth liners — Jim Slater, Chris Thorburn, T.J. Galiardi, Matt Halischuk, Anthony Peluso — after 10 games: 38 GP (combined) with zero goals and zero assists.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPEdTait