Peter Tessier: The Jets might be Younger Next Season Taking some semi-confidential information from within TNSE and seeing what it might mean.

Nice article Peter, much preferred over the grading ones!

To me we absolutely need three things this summer
1. Goalie, not shocking anyone with that assumption
2. Third line centre who plays a 200' game and can help on PK. This team will improve when Lowry is centering our fourth line. Raslovik can start on the Moose and be the first call up
3. A 4-6 type D preferably left handed. Again Poolman can start on Moose and be first injury call up.

I have said for a while I am not opposed to trading Connor, love the kid and think he will be really good but we could use another D around 20-22 with top four potential. I have no idea how Myers or Enstrom will look this year or if Trouba still wants out.

I want little re signed but with his and Perraults extension don't kid yourself, it will make re signing all our youngstres harder.

Wouldn't be surprised if Ehlers and Morrisey also sign long term deals a year early this summer as well

I'd go with the following:
Ehlers-Scheifele-Laine
Perreault-Little-Wheeler
Connor-Petan-Dano
Matthias-Lowry-Armia

Morrissey-Trouba
Enstrom-Byfuglien
Poolman-Myers
Postma

Hellebuyck
UFA goalie who isn't Bishop.

You can't only have 2 scoring lines in today's NHL. Nowadays it's 3, and some even have 4 (which we could easily pull off, but not under Maurice's "coaching"). Connor, Petan, and Dano are all high skill players who've never been given a chance on this roster. They deserve it. Also, that gives us an elite top 6, and elite 4th line, and one hell of a 3rd line. The top 4 on defence is also world class, but Myers is an even bigger question mark to me than Poolman.

I'd go with the following:
Ehlers-Scheifele-Laine
Perreault-Little-Wheeler
Connor-Petan-Dano
Matthias-Lowry-Armia

Morrissey-Trouba
Enstrom-Byfuglien
Poolman-Myers
Postma

Hellebuyck
UFA goalie who isn't Bishop.

You can't only have 2 scoring lines in today's NHL. Nowadays it's 3, and some even have 4 (which we could easily pull off, but not under Maurice's "coaching"). Connor, Petan, and Dano are all high skill players who've never been given a chance on this roster. They deserve it. Also, that gives us an elite top 6, and elite 4th line, and one hell of a 3rd line. The top 4 on defence is also world class, but Myers is an even bigger question mark to me than Poolman.
- Rexypoo[/quote

I have questions about that third line defensively. Have no issues with those D pairings.

I think UFA targets to at least inquire about are, Sharp, bernier, mason, kulikov, Franson. Nothing fancy but much needed depth. Wouldn't give any of them more than a year or two tops.

Bernier and Mason make sense. Kulikov, however, isn't NHL worthy in any way, and Franson is another righty on the right.

Bernier and Mason make sense. Kulikov, however, isn't NHL worthy in any way, and Franson is another righty on the right.
- Rexypoo

To be fair I haven't seen much of kulikov so you could be right, I just want our depth on D improved. I'd like to see us sign Niku as well and bring him over.

To be fair I haven't seen much of kulikov so you could be right, I just want our depth on D improved. I'd like to see us sign Niku as well and bring him over.
- Ross77

Brendan Smith is the guy we need. Solid in all 3 zones, underplayed by Detroit, and can move up if need be.

Brendan Smith is the guy we need. Solid in all 3 zones, underplayed by Detroit, and can move up if need be.
- Rexypoo

I think he will be highly sought after in a weak free agent class and get severely over paid, just like Shatty and alzner will. Those three will also have their choice of multiple cities to move to, which usually doesn't bode well for us.

I think he will be highly sought after in a weak free agent class and get severely over paid, just like Shatty and alzner will. Those three will also have their choice of multiple cities to move to, which usually doesn't bode well for us.
- Ross77

Further to this, every year UFA's get overpaid. I think this year may be even worse ( if that's even possible ) as Vegas wil be driving up prices. Every team is hoping Vegas will take their horrible contracts to get to the cap floor, I think Vegas will make their own mistakes in over paying UFA's to get there all own their own.

To be fair, Shattenkirk is worth it. He's a top pairing dman with elite offensive numbers.

Alzner is a solid 3rd pairing guy whose been carried by Carlson and Niskanen for roughly his entire career. He isn't that good.

Smith is underrated, and you're probably right about his overpayment.

To be fair, Shattenkirk is worth it. He's a top pairing dman with elite offensive numbers.

Alzner is a solid 3rd pairing guy whose been carried by Carlson and Niskanen for roughly his entire career. He isn't that good.

Smith is underrated, and you're probably right about his overpayment.
- Rexypoo

Bogo can be had for cheaper than every other option, you may even stand to gain something by taking him back, just sayin' he still makes some sick beats

Bogo is literally Ristolainen without the offence. He's useless.

Bogo is literally Ristolainen without the offence. He's useless.
- Rexypoo

Useless is being kind.

Petan makes the line up next season I bet.

To be fair, Shattenkirk is worth it. He's a top pairing dman with elite offensive numbers.

Alzner is a solid 3rd pairing guy whose been carried by Carlson and Niskanen for roughly his entire career. He isn't that good.

Smith is underrated, and you're probably right about his overpayment.
- Rexypoo

Shatty isnt a true #1. Whom ever gives him his big contract is gonna regret it. He was sheltered behind so many Dman in STL. And always put into the right situations.

Shatty isnt a true #1. Whom ever gives him his big contract is gonna regret it. He was sheltered behind so many Dman in STL. And always put into the right situations.
- poisondhearts37

He's an offensive defenseman. He needs a stay at home partner to be effective. I don't know if he's a "true #1", but he's certainly a PP QB and great shot producer. Someone will overpay him because his skill set is tough to come by. Not saying he's the best, but I think he's better than a "sheltered soon to be exploited D-man".

Jets have been hovering in mediocrity for way too long given their talent/potential.
At some point, having the best prospect pool means little if it doesn't translate into Cup contention. I could only imagine the frustration in Winnipeg.

The Flyers have two players who should be on their radar- Travis Sanheim who should be a top 4 dman and Sean Coutuirer a superior 3C who's been forced into a 2C role that he's only ok at.

Neither franchise can help ea other in goal, but even w/ the leftover of Patrick/Hischier, Philly needs more speed & dynamism up front and has a healthy enough D prospect pool to absorb the loss of Sanheim. Perhaps there is a match that can help both teams.

From what i've seen last year, i think one problem is the no-movement clause on Enstrom's contract. He was pretty bad last year. And Cheveldayoff's fear of doing a trade or doing something wrong. The guy can't pull the trigger. He should have bought out Pavelec 2-3 years ago among other things, he was the worst #1 in the league.

Now you have to protect Byfuglien (NMC), Enstrom (NMC), Trouba (unless he's traded) and Myers. That's probably 4. Which would mean you can only protect 4 forwards.

Luckily Laine, Ehlers, Connor, Roslovic and Petan are exempt.

Scheifele and Wheeler are no-brainers.

But then you have Little, Perreault, Dano, Copp, Armia, Lowry.

If you protect 4 Ds, you can only protect two more in that group, else you could protect all but one (probably Copp as suggested, but that is debatable).

I'm anxious to see how this will go.

I'd go with the following:
Ehlers-Scheifele-Laine
Perreault-Little-Wheeler
Connor-Petan-Dano
Matthias-Lowry-Armia

Morrissey-Trouba
Enstrom-Byfuglien
Poolman-Myers
Postma

Hellebuyck
UFA goalie who isn't Bishop.

You can't only have 2 scoring lines in today's NHL. Nowadays it's 3, and some even have 4 (which we could easily pull off, but not under Maurice's "coaching"). Connor, Petan, and Dano are all high skill players who've never been given a chance on this roster. They deserve it. Also, that gives us an elite top 6, and elite 4th line, and one hell of a 3rd line. The top 4 on defence is also world class, but Myers is an even bigger question mark to me than Poolman.
- Rexypoo

Rex I was just creating the roster not so much the lines and we all know they get blended pretty quickly with Maurice.

Also looking at how Maurice has used guys is a key to his line hierarchy and right now he loves using Lowry on that 3rd line, right or wrong. Anyhow it seems we both see Copp as the odd guy out and I'm okay with that, he might find a better role in Vegas anyway.

OK I will be the one who bites and ask why do you continually spell Roslovic's name the way you do?

I'd go with the following:
Ehlers-Scheifele-Laine
Perreault-Little-Wheeler
Connor-Petan-Dano
Matthias-Lowry-Armia

Morrissey-Trouba
Enstrom-Byfuglien
Poolman-Myers
Postma

Hellebuyck
UFA goalie who isn't Bishop.

You can't only have 2 scoring lines in today's NHL. Nowadays it's 3, and some even have 4 (which we could easily pull off, but not under Maurice's "coaching"). Connor, Petan, and Dano are all high skill players who've never been given a chance on this roster. They deserve it. Also, that gives us an elite top 6, and elite 4th line, and one hell of a 3rd line. The top 4 on defence is also world class, but Myers is an even bigger question mark to me than Poolman.
- Rexypoo

Postma is gone. He is a UFA. We have Buf, Myers, Poolman, Trouba RH shooters already. No need for Postma. Plus we have Nogier in the minors if someone gets hurt. Chariot might be the odd man out if Logan Stanley makes the team.

Postma is gone. He is a UFA. We have Buf, Myers, Poolman, Trouba RH shooters already. No need for Postma. Plus we have Nogier in the minors if someone gets hurt. Chariot might be the odd man out if Logan Stanley makes the team.
- sparky1957

I can't see Stanley making the team after missing the whole year to injury. He will be back for the memorial cup so I look toward to watching him

Stanley will have at least two AHL years before he even has a chance at 3rd pairing minutes. If we're lucky.

*edit* I forgot about Nogier in my lineup prediction, but he still doesn't make the team. He's too young to sit for half the year. So, Postma remains.

Stanley will have at least two AHL years before he even has a chance at 3rd pairing minutes. If we're lucky.

*edit* I forgot about Nogier in my lineup prediction, but he still doesn't make the team. He's too young to sit for half the year. So, Postma remains.
- Rexypoo

Stanley will be back in the OHL next year before he sees time with the moose. I also worry about his speed not being at an NHL level. Also,
Postma's gone.