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In this edition of the hotstove, we share some of our early season takeaways.
Todd Cordell
The biggest takeaway for me: Winnipeg is going to play in a ton of track meets.
With Jacob Trouba, Tyler Myers, Ben Chiarot and Dustin Byfuglien (at least temporarily) departing, and not being properly replaced, it was evident the Jets would struggle defensively – especially considering some of their top forwards (Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor, etc.) are liabilities without the puck. They have been *next level* bad, though. They’re giving up more than 15 Grade A chances per 60 minutes of 5v5 play, which ranks them 31st. Given that, it’s not exactly surprising no team has allowed more goals against.
I know it’s early but, barring Byfuglien’s return, there’s not really a reason to expect noticeable improvements defensively. Their best bet for winning games might be completely unleashing Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele, Nik Ehlers, Laine and Connor, and hoping they can outscore the team’s problems.
It might not lead to much success but it’ll be fun as heck to watch.
James Tanner
I think the craziest thing about the NHL so far might be how Auston Matthews make scoring look so easy.
His shot is the best I've ever seen.
In the first game of the season, granted it was against Ottawa, he scored two goals, and could have scored six. Literally *(the two he did score, the empty netter he almost scored, a wrist shot that Andersen just got a piece of with his shoulder, a warp around, and a crossbar).
Then he scored the next game, and two the game after that. I think we might underrate the importance of actual goals, especially those at 5v5, and I think Matthews might end up the best player in the NHL.
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