Let’s start this conversation; captain Wheeler. Someone on twitter posted they thought Wheeler’s next deal would be 8+ per year??? First off, I hope we all agree that we under no circumstances can give Wheeler 8+!!!
Secondly, I realize I have more faith in Roslovic than others but does this look that horrible?
Ehlers shief laine
Connor Roslovic little
copp Lowry Tanev
Vesalainen Petan dano.

Also, we would have cap space to acquire someone better than Tanev and Dano for sure!!

I think if wheeler will not re sign this summer for something like 6.5 x 4 years, we trade him for a top notch prospect and high pick now rather than lose him for nothing. I think he will price himself out of Winnipeg and I’d rather move him now and get something.

The core of this team is shief, Laine, connor, ehlers, Morrisey Helle and Trouba. Lock them all up and move forward with them.
- Ross77

This team may move forward without Wheeler, but I doubt it. Every time this idea comes up, in my head, I hear PoMo's playoff mantra: "It starts with leadership", or some form of this and he begins his soliloquy about Blake Wheeler. What this means to me is either: 1) Wheeler's leadership is vital to the cohesiveness and overachivement of this team this year, or 2)Maurice, and subsequently Chevy, believe it to be true. So either way, I think they will overpay.
Do any of us "civilians" have an honest clue about this? I doubt it. .....

Let’s start this conversation; captain Wheeler. Someone on twitter posted they thought Wheeler’s next deal would be 8+ per year??? First off, I hope we all agree that we under no circumstances can give Wheeler 8+!!!
Secondly, I realize I have more faith in Roslovic than others but does this look that horrible?
Ehlers shief laine
Connor Roslovic little
copp Lowry Tanev
Vesalainen Petan dano.

I think if wheeler will not re sign this summer for something like 6.5 x 4 years, we trade him for a top notch prospect and high pick now rather than lose him for nothing. I think he will price himself out of Winnipeg and I’d rather move him now and get something.

The core of this team is shief, Laine, connor, ehlers, Morrisey Helle and Trouba. Lock them all up and move forward with them.
- Ross77

Also, did you intentionally exclude Perreault? Will Chevy talk Seattle into taking him?......

Also, did you intentionally exclude Perreault? Will Chevy talk Seattle into taking him?......
- liverpoolnhl

Nope my bad, forgot Perreault and his wonderful “wellwood” like shot lol.
I also think shief is destined to captain this team and he can’t do that until......

This team may move forward without Wheeler, but I doubt it. Every time this idea comes up, in my head, I hear PoMo's playoff mantra: "It starts with leadership", or some form of this and he begins his soliloquy about Blake Wheeler. What this means to me is either: 1) Wheeler's leadership is vital to the cohesiveness and overachivement of this team this year, or 2)Maurice, and subsequently Chevy, believe it to be true. So either way, I think they will overpay.
Do any of us "civilians" have an honest clue about this? I doubt it. .....
- liverpoolnhl

I think Wheeler is an essential part of the core of the team. A leader and glue guy that is hard to replace combined with an ability to drive play and score. If ROR is worth $7.5 then so is Wheeler. It's about the max I would pay if GM. No more than 3-4 years more though on term.

A: Quit being petty. It’s not funny, and makes you look childish.
B: I’m wrong maybe 30% if the time. Maybe 10% of the 30% has evidence of my wrongness. For example:
Evidenced Wrong: Tavares stays in New York
Wrong: Postma=NHL player
C: Chevy straight up said Petan would be in the NHL next season
- Rexypoo

Your been dead wrong on a heckuva lot more than that. Trying to find something you've actually been right on is even harder.

C: Chevy would never say any player WILL be in the NHL next season even if he was marketing him for a trade. I'm sure that so-called quote has already been completely changed by you from whatever mystery interview you say it came from. In one of his most recent interviews he said that Dano , Petan , and Vesalainen as well as a few others would all be fighting for a possible roster spot, not that Petan made the team..

Let's see a link.....Didn't think so !

Oh ! I must have missed that.
- bennythehat

That is the most surprising surprise since Emilio Estevez and the Mighty Ducks won the big game

Also, did you intentionally exclude Perreault? Will Chevy talk Seattle into taking him?......
- liverpoolnhl

Little is going to Seattle for sure. Perreault is a player you keep unless absolutely necessary.

Your been dead wrong on a heckuva lot more than that. Trying to find something you've actually been right on is even harder.

C: Chevy would never say any player WILL be in the NHL next season even if he was marketing him for a trade. I'm sure that so-called quote has already been completely changed by you from whatever mystery interview you say it came from. In one of his most recent interviews he said that Dano , Petan , and Vesalainen as well as a few others would all be fighting for a possible roster spot, not that Petan made the team..

Let's see a link.....Didn't think so !
- jetsnation

I wish I had the “old man yells at cloud” meme on hand. It’s applicable to basically every comment you make.

That said, Chevy has to know that it’s time to either let Petan and Dano play, or move them both and take an “L”.

That is the most surprising surprise since Emilio Estevez and the Mighty Ducks won the big game
- Rexypoo

Finally we learn where you acquired your knowledge of hockey. Were you on the honour roll at the Gordon Bombay Hockey Academy ?

I wish I had the “old man yells at cloud” meme on hand. It’s applicable to basically every comment you make.

That said, Chevy has to know that it’s time to either let Petan and Dano play, or move them both and take an “L”.
- Rexypoo

I'm just pointing out that making up stories about things Chevy said and then claiming it's your proof is about as lame as it gets. Now is see your latest version of the story is "Chevy has to know" . That's a big departure from your previous statements.

Finally we learn where you acquired your knowledge of hockey. Were you on the honour roll at the Gordon Bombay Hockey Academy ?
- bennythehat

I WAS the honour roll

I'm just pointing out that making up stories about things Chevy said and then claiming it's your proof is about as lame as it gets. Now is see your latest version of the story is "Chevy has to know" . That's a big departure from your previous statements.
- jetsnation

Oh, no, I stand by my statements. Merely making a point of saying he’d be stupid not to put Petan and Dano in as full timers. It’s time for Chevy to take away Paul’s rosy and go for the cup

I'm just pointing out that making up stories about things Chevy said and then claiming it's your proof is about as lame as it gets. Now is see your latest version of the story is "Chevy has to know" . That's a big departure from your previous statements.
- jetsnation

I did see the Chevy interview where he said Petan has not been given a chance. I also think he doesn’t have to say that. I’m not a Dano fan but I’d hate to lose Petan and watch him develop into even half the player Martin St. Louis was somewhere else.

I did see the Chevy interview where he said Petan has not been given a chance. I also think he doesn’t have to say that. I’m not a Dano fan but I’d hate to lose Petan and watch him develop into even half the player Martin St. Louis was somewhere else.
- Ross77

No debating he may have said that. Its marketing. Let me know if you saw the part where he said :

"Chevy straight up said Petan would be in the NHL next season".

I think we all know thats not true.

No debating he may have said that. Its marketing. Let me know if you saw the part where he said :

"Chevy straight up said Petan would be in the NHL next season".

I think we all know thats not true.
- jetsnation

I mean, yeah. It is. He straight said “Nic Petan will play in the NHL”

Little is going to Seattle for sure. Perreault is a player you keep unless absolutely necessary.
- Rexypoo

Why would Little waive his NMC?.....

Why would Little waive his NMC?.....
- liverpoolnhl

I guess it's not "for sure " then.

I guess it's not "for sure " then.
- jetsnation

He only has the NMC for the first two years then it reverts to a modified no trade. Depending on when the expansion draft is might determine if we would have to ask him to waive or not.

Your been dead wrong on a heckuva lot more than that. Trying to find something you've actually been right on is even harder.

C: Chevy would never say any player WILL be in the NHL next season even if he was marketing him for a trade. I'm sure that so-called quote has already been completely changed by you from whatever mystery interview you say it came from. In one of his most recent interviews he said that Dano , Petan , and Vesalainen as well as a few others would all be fighting for a possible roster spot, not that Petan made the team..

Let's see a link.....Didn't think so !
- jetsnation

A: Quit being petty. It’s not funny, and makes you look childish.
B: I’m wrong maybe 30% if the time. Maybe 10% of the 30% has evidence of my wrongness. For example:
Evidenced Wrong: Tavares stays in New York
Wrong: Postma=NHL player
C: Chevy straight up said Petan would be in the NHL next season.

First: I am a Thrashers season ticket holder that is overjoyed that this team has found the success that you folks in Winnipeg deserve and that would have been unlikely to ever happen here with the Octocluster that ran the team.

Second: I have rarely commented, primarily because I didn't grow up with hockey and I figure you guys "on the scene" have a more informed opinion about the team and the Moose. I use this blog to stay connected to the boys and find Pete's articles and the comments very satisfying,
BUT, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, COULD JETSNATION AND REXY JUST LAY DOWN YOUR SWORDS AND MOVE ON?

I absolutely have no dog in this fight, and I find both to bring important perspectives, but the childish back and forth just ruins an otherwise very pleasant and informative experience. I'm not sure you Peggers know the American phrase Hatfields and Mccoys, but it's Israel and Hammas, just the Tennessee version.

As always, I feel honored that this southern boy is allowed equal footing with you guys who grew up with the true "beautiful game".....

Why would Little waive his NMC?.....
- liverpoolnhl

Because he’s a quickly declining who’s shown enough loyalty to his team to fall on the sword for us to get a cup. He’ll Fleury himself.

A: Quit being petty. It’s not funny, and makes you look childish.
B: I’m wrong maybe 30% if the time. Maybe 10% of the 30% has evidence of my wrongness. For example:
Evidenced Wrong: Tavares stays in New York
Wrong: Postma=NHL player
C: Chevy straight up said Petan would be in the NHL next season.

First: I am a Thrashers season ticket holder that is overjoyed that this team has found the success that you folks in Winnipeg deserve and that would have been unlikely to ever happen here with the Octocluster that ran the team.

Second: I have rarely commented, primarily because I didn't grow up with hockey and I figure you guys "on the scene" have a more informed opinion about the team and the Moose. I use this blog to stay connected to the boys and find Pete's articles and the comments very satisfying,
BUT, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, COULD JETSNATION AND REXY JUST LAY DOWN YOUR SWORDS AND MOVE ON?

I absolutely have no dog in this fight, and I find both to bring important perspectives, but the childish back and forth just ruins an otherwise very pleasant and informative experience. I'm not sure you Peggers know the American phrase Hatfields and Mccoys, but it's Israel and Hammas, just the Tennessee version.

As always, I feel honored that this southern boy is allowed equal footing with you guys who grew up with the true "beautiful game".....
- liverpoolnhl

Dude, I am just tired of this 21 yr old kid cluttering up this board with all his statements which almost always are in "absolutes' and highly biased opinions and cherry-picked analysis, most of which are complete BS. I think Benny and a few others are tired of it too. When Rexy starts cleaning up his act and giving proper unbiased opinions instead of all this constant BS then I will lay off him.

Back to Wheeler - when Scheifle went down in January Wheeler shifted to centre and did very well. He put up points at critical times in games and played intense hockey shift after shift - some people thought he should move permanently to center. I thought he played like a 10 million dollar player through that stretch.

He is on the heels of his prime physically but his emotional and mental game has continued to improve. He can maintain close to this level until age 35/36 (with 2-3 years after current contract before slipping down the lineup).

Here is what I would do:
5 years at 7/year, modified no movement clause in years 4&5

It offers security of term for Wheeler at dollars a little higher than Sheif, market value salary of a star winger, and opportunity to play for contending Jets.

For the Jets it is a good value for a player that is already proven and fitting in Wpg. (similar range to Marleau, Kreji, Parise*, lower than Kessel and Perry). There is opportunity to move him if needed (by team or player) late in the contract. 5 years from now 7 mil will be a bargain for a strong 2-way top 6 winger. The leadership glue guy will be secure in Winnipeg until Sheifle is in a spot to take over seamlessly. In the meantime Sheifle plays without the weight of 'C' but motivated for a bigger role.

Someone suggested that Wheeler is outside the core of the current team, I strongly disagree. He is active/vocal on the bench, engaged emotionally, regularly on the scoreboard, is the most important interview after the game (and he is not afraid to say the hard things). He skates well enough to have a long career and has not shown any sign of let down yet.

The contract space from Mason/Armia move helps. Get the extension done as soon as RFA's are taken care of.

Because he’s a quickly declining who’s shown enough loyalty to his team to fall on the sword for us to get a cup. He’ll Fleury himself.
- Rexypoo

The Fleury move hasn't helped Pittsburg yet.

Little has had consistent career numbers until this past year. I really think it will be the outlier year and he will bounce back to more play like we are used to seeing from him. He will be our #2 or 3 centre with ability to play up or down the lineup. Low maintenance and forgotten but good.

The Ehlers/Little/Laine combo just doesn't work - and Ehlers/Laine are not a natural duo together either. All three are shoot first players trying to find their passing game. I have been trying to see Roslovic in as 2nd centre, maybe Petan strong vision of ice and slick passing can cement a spot with the phenoms (but can they manufacture enough defense)

A: Quit being petty. It’s not funny, and makes you look childish.
B: I’m wrong maybe 30% if the time. Maybe 10% of the 30% has evidence of my wrongness. For example:
Evidenced Wrong: Tavares stays in New York
Wrong: Postma=NHL player
C: Chevy straight up said Petan would be in the NHL next season.

First: I am a Thrashers season ticket holder that is overjoyed that this team has found the success that you folks in Winnipeg deserve and that would have been unlikely to ever happen here with the Octocluster that ran the team.

Second: I have rarely commented, primarily because I didn't grow up with hockey and I figure you guys "on the scene" have a more informed opinion about the team and the Moose. I use this blog to stay connected to the boys and find Pete's articles and the comments very satisfying,
BUT, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, COULD JETSNATION AND REXY JUST LAY DOWN YOUR SWORDS AND MOVE ON?

I absolutely have no dog in this fight, and I find both to bring important perspectives, but the childish back and forth just ruins an otherwise very pleasant and informative experience. I'm not sure you Peggers know the American phrase Hatfields and Mccoys, but it's Israel and Hammas, just the Tennessee version.

As always, I feel honored that this southern boy is allowed equal footing with you guys who grew up with the true "beautiful game".....
- liverpoolnhl

I’ve tried to. Repeatedly. Even then, every time I argue or disagree with him, he resorts to insults and attempts to discredit me. He knows he has no ground to stand on half to time.

The thing that annoys me is that he’s shown a refusal to learn or adapt. He’s clearly stuck in the old boys club mindset. This is why I respect Ross, even though we’re on opposite sides of the debate a lot of the time. He’s sceptical of the advanced stats movement, but open to it. He disagrees with contrary evidence instead of just talking down to everyone who doesn’t agree with him.
Jetsnation just digs his heels in, throws out insults, and acts like you know nothing. I don’t come on here and end every single comment with a diss aimed at Chiarot, Morrow, or Tanev, but you better believe jetsnation is signing off with a Dano diss. The dude needs to grow up.

The Fleury move hasn't helped Pittsburg yet.

Little has had consistent career numbers until this past year. I really think it will be the outlier year and he will bounce back to more play like we are used to seeing from him. He will be our #2 or 3 centre with ability to play up or down the lineup. Low maintenance and forgotten but good.

The Ehlers/Little/Laine combo just doesn't work - and Ehlers/Laine are not a natural duo together either. All three are shoot first players trying to find their passing game. I have been trying to see Roslovic in as 2nd centre, maybe Petan strong vision of ice and slick passing can cement a spot with the phenoms (but can they manufacture enough defense)
- 2.0

Little counting stats have been relatively stable, so fair enough. It’s all the underlying numbers that are scaring me. He’s trended down at a steady and alarming rate, across the board, for 3 years now.