Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

An In-Depth Look at the Jets Start to the Season - Part 3: Goalies/Coaches

November 29, 2021, 10:10 AM ET [101 Comments]
Jacob Billington
Winnipeg Jets Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
With the last part of this three-part breakdown, we are going to have a look at the numbers in the crease, and some thoughts on coaching so far this season.

Goaltending hasn't been much of an issue for the Winnipeg Jets for a while now. They haven't found a high-quality backup goaltender to keep around for a while (Jake Allen, Joonas Korpisalo, etc) to give stability, but the clear cut starter is Connor Hellebuyck, who, if you haven't heard, is pretty good!

Hellebuyck is backed up by Eric Comrie, who has been a little bit of everywhere in the league over the past few seasons. After being waived and claimed by Arizona, then traded to Detroit, then re-claimed off waivers by Winnipeg. Crazy enough, the Jets then go on to waive Comrie again, and he gets claimed by the Devils, before the Jets claimed him yet again, for what Comrie hopes is the final time.

Wow. That was a lot.


Connor Hellebuyck:

2019-20 - 58GP: Save%: .922 GAA: 2.57 Record: 31-21-5
2020-21 - 45GP: Save%: .916 GAA: 2.58 Record: 24-17-3
2021-22 - 16GP: Save%: .917 GAA: 2.70 Record: 7-5-4

While Connor Hellebuyck had a bit of a slow start to the season, he has been able to steal a few games, or at least keep the team in them. The Jets have been allowing more shots this year, and Hellebuyck has been making some great saves. The OT losses is an interesting number, as it is already close to passing his 3 season high. The team in front of him hasn't been able to finish these games out.

Hellebuyck could contend for the Vezina again this season, though there are many goalies this season that are playing phenomenal. Hellebuyck has been doing his job as an elite starting goalie, and there is no grounds for complaints of his game this season. After missing a few games following the birth of his baby, he came back and has been playing great. Certainly a goalie who you can ride all the way to the Stanley Cup.


Eric Comrie:

2019-20 - 3GP: Save%: .864 GAA: 4.28 Record: 0-2-0
2020-21 - 1GP: Save%: .909 GAA: 3.00 Record: 1-0-0
2021-22 - 6GP: Save%: .913 GAA: 2.49 Record: 3-2-0

As I mentioned above, Eric Comrie has been on a roller-coaster of a career with being waived and claimed, but after re-signing in Winnipeg, it looks like they are confident enough in him to be able to use him as the backup all season. His play, so far, has been good enough to earn that role. With very minimal NHL experience, Comrie has been solid, and has always given the team a chance to win in front of him.

The tandem Winnipeg has is fully capable of being able to take them to the top of the division, and far into the playoffs. Obviously we all know Hellebuyck is Hellebuyck, winning a Vezina and arguably could have won a few more, and with the way Eric Comrie has been, I don't see the Jets looking too hard to replace him.

Should the Jets decide they want an upgrade, who is even available?

Well, Matt Murray is the biggest goalie name in the news lately. After having a poor start to the year, the Senators goaltender cleared waivers, mostly due to his $6.25m cap hit. Murray's play and price come with too much of a risk to backup a team looking at the Stanley Cup.

The Bruins may have to move a goalie as well, if Tuuka Rask returns to the team. With Linus Ullmark just signing a contract, and not quite living up to the deal, but they also have Swayman, who is young and playing well. If the Bruins make Swayman available, I could definitely see Winnipeg at least making the call.

And lastly, with some uncertainty around Ben Bishop's health, the Dallas Stars may eventually be looking to move Anton Khudobin or Braden Holtby out, who could both be targets for the Jets.

One of the toughest parts about trading for a goalie right now, is that the Edmonton Oilers are gearing up to out-bid anybody on a goaltender. Again, I don't think the Jets will be looking for a replacement, unless a great opportunity presents itself.

Coaching:

Jets Head Coach Paul Maurice has been in this role for 8 full seasons already, this year being his ninth. During this tenure, the Jets have had lots of success, which a big thank you goes to the coach. Now, the Jets are not quite playing to the best of their abilities, some line changes are starting to look a bit biased, and the team isn't playing full, 60-minute games as a team.

A lot of people will point to the handling of Blake Wheeler this season and say that that is the glaring reason it is time to move on from Paul Maurice. The captain of this team has slowed greatly, but is still being played top line minutes, putting him in a position to be a liability. I do understand that your long-time captain shouldn't just be thrown to the wolves in the bottom six, but the Jets have a full team that he can still play a significant role with limited minutes.

As for the team, they started the season and looked like many of them weren't on the same page. Especially with defense, it looked like there was no system. This has gotten a lot better over the past few weeks, but it still seems as though the Jets are playing 18 individual games some nights. Individual efforts are great, and when you have talents such as Scheifele, Ehlers, Dubois and Connor, you can have this sometimes. It feels like this past week has been a strong example of that.

I do think this team could benefit from a coaching shakeup, and a more evolved system, but I don't think that all of the fingers pointing only at Maurice are entirely fair. I do think he is still a great coach in this league, and has his ways, but I think a combination of nine years, and eagerness to take that next step has people looking at the coach.

This would be a good year to kind of gauge what to do with the coach. This may be one of the better rosters the Jets have had in his tenure, and I think the Jets are looking for, at the very least, a third round appearance in the playoffs this season.

Thank you for taking the time to read, I appreciate it! Make sure to let me know your thoughts in the comment section below, and I hope you all have a great day! Happy belated Thanksgiving to the American readers!

By Jacob Billington
Join the Discussion: » 101 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Jacob Billington
» Jets Announce Lowry as Captain, Chisholm Extension
» Winnipeg Jets Prospect Pyramid: 2023 Edition - Part One
» Rasmus Kupari Could Develop into More Than 4C
» Jets Need to Make Decisions on Defense; Mailbag Incoming
» Jets Sign Morgan Barron, 2x$1.35 million, 3 contracts left