Okay, there’s a lot of Tool-Aid being drank here, so I’m gonna say some things:

1: Niku and Vesalainen are the only two untouchable prospects.
-Niku is not just the only future top 4 guy not already on the team, but the only NHL lock in the entire system at this point. He’s safe.
-Vesalainen is tracking to be better than both Ehlers AND Connor, if we’re comparing everyone at age 19.
-Additionally, Roslovic should be on the fence. His upside is coming into question, but he’s real good already.

2: Scheifele gets the nod over Stone because he’s a centre. However, Stone is way, way better than Wheeler, and that’s a compliment to both players.

3: Laine is being shafted by the coaching staff at this point. It’s pretty blatant. TRY HIM WITH ANY OTHER CENTRE, YOU STUBBORN Richard. Little and Laine have never once worked. This is a perfect example of boring, uncreative coach sticks to boring, uncreative pairs regardless of how many struggling forwards they have.

And for those of you trying to say Laine is only a shot with skates on, you’re both wrong AND of questionable intelligence.
Is his shooting ability far above everything else he offers? Yes.
Is the rest of his game below average? No.
It’s also worth noting that he is literally the best shooter in the entire world, AKA the best player at doing the most difficult thing hockey players do, and someone suggests trading that because he’s “not the right fit”?
He’s already your most dangerous weapon. He’s THE most dangerous weapon. Is he playing well? It comes and goes, and is severely overstated by the “fans”. Is the coach doing anything to change it? He’s making it worse with every game.

The long story short with Laine is this:
Paul Maurice is doing his utter best to alienate a generation sniper, Laine does not currently have the skill set to work himself out of this slump alone (which is what is being asked), and anyone suggesting they trade him because he’s bad needs to go play a game of “hide and go f*ck yourself”, because your eye test is terrible, your understanding of potential and development needs work, and you need to acknowledge that our coaching staff is failing all over the place
- Rexypoo

Firstly - most of the Tool-aid I see is coming from Twitter. Until you see through the bullpoop you will only see through the bullpoop, and too often spread it.

Secondly most criticism has not been about Laine's abilities - it has been about his lack of work done to get himself out of the slump. When he emerges from this slump he will be one significant step closer to being the player we expect him to be.
Most have been cognizant of his youth and the long development ahead of him before becoming a complete player. Frustration about the process is part of the process. Few are talking about trading him though short term we could do better. I am hoping he is a Jet for life.

Good post - any of these could be in play depending on the return.

Is anyone else suspicious of why Kulikov was scratched? Are they protecting his health and planning to bundle him with one of the prospects much like Armia and Mason? If so that would be a trade with a team needing a defenseman and reaching up to get to the cap floor. Ottawa may fit, especially if Ceci is also being moved.
- 2.0

There could be a few angles going on like this as well. I am leaning that the GM is going for it, on Stone.

I just can't buy what a lot of folks are selling...that Ottawa will trade us Stone after they sign him.

Now why in the world would a rebuilding team trade a guy like Stone after they sign him.

Most of the time, the whole reason a player is put on the block is because the team worries about losing a quality player to UFA and receiving nothing in return after spending time developing said player.

This forces the team to consider trading him at the deadline for as much as they can get.
- PrairieFire

The only scenario this could happen is if Stone was required to sign as part of a bigger trade. An example would be Chevy requiring them to sign Stone ( and Stone agreeing) as part of a trade that sent some players with term back to Ottawa. A signed Stone for Trouba and Perreault would be a good example of such a trade.

The only scenario this could happen is if Stone was required to sign as part of a bigger trade. An example would be Chevy requiring them to sign Stone ( and Stone agreeing) as part of a trade that sent some players with term back to Ottawa. A signed Stone for Trouba and Perreault would be a good example of such a trade.
- jetsnation

I know you were just using them as an example, but those two would never be moved before playoffs.

a signed Stone, would guarantee that one of Roslovic/Niku/Vessalainen were included in the deal

Peter Tessier: Jets host an Avalanche in snowy Winnipeg
Jets host Avalanche but still so much focus on Laine
- Peter.Tessier

Come on JETS!!! I had a 8 team parlay and you were the only loss. 10k woulda been stellar. Home vs the weak avs. Guess I'll be a degenerate and double down when they host Ott.

Okay, there’s a lot of Tool-Aid being drank here, so I’m gonna say some things:

1: Niku and Vesalainen are the only two untouchable prospects.
-Niku is not just the only future top 4 guy not already on the team, but the only NHL lock in the entire system at this point. He’s safe.
-Vesalainen is tracking to be better than both Ehlers AND Connor, if we’re comparing everyone at age 19.
-Additionally, Roslovic should be on the fence. His upside is coming into question, but he’s real good already.

2: Scheifele gets the nod over Stone because he’s a centre. However, Stone is way, way better than Wheeler, and that’s a compliment to both players.

3: Laine is being shafted by the coaching staff at this point. It’s pretty blatant. TRY HIM WITH ANY OTHER CENTRE, YOU STUBBORN Richard. Little and Laine have never once worked. This is a perfect example of boring, uncreative coach sticks to boring, uncreative pairs regardless of how many struggling forwards they have.

And for those of you trying to say Laine is only a shot with skates on, you’re both wrong AND of questionable intelligence.
Is his shooting ability far above everything else he offers? Yes.
Is the rest of his game below average? No.
It’s also worth noting that he is literally the best shooter in the entire world, AKA the best player at doing the most difficult thing hockey players do, and someone suggests trading that because he’s “not the right fit”?
He’s already your most dangerous weapon. He’s THE most dangerous weapon. Is he playing well? It comes and goes, and is severely overstated by the “fans”. Is the coach doing anything to change it? He’s making it worse with every game.

The long story short with Laine is this:
Paul Maurice is doing his utter best to alienate a generation sniper, Laine does not currently have the skill set to work himself out of this slump alone (which is what is being asked), and anyone suggesting they trade him because he’s bad needs to go play a game of “hide and go f*ck yourself”, because your eye test is terrible, your understanding of potential and development needs work, and you need to acknowledge that our coaching staff is failing all over the place
- Rexypoo

I will take what you are smoking good sir!!! Honestly, how can you say Stone is far better than Wheeler??? Wheeler makes 4 guys on the ice dangerous when he has the biscuit. Stone simply has a dangerous shot. The guy is a great goal scorer, but I would never say he is far better than the big Blake.

Lastly, coaching is not holding Laine back one bit. They have tried many combinations, but the kid is a black-hole. Once the puck goes to him, no jets players see it again. His weak 5v5 and passing game has hurt himself. His slump will end, and we will all be talking about how great-a-goalscorer he is, but there are MANY issues he needs to address with his game.

And yes, please do not trade Vesalainen, Niku, or Raslovic. If Appleton, Petan, or Lemieux must go, so be it.

Last night there was another shorty against the 1st PP unit, after about a 1.5minute shift. They were gassed. There was a similar one a few games ago and one or two late chances in other recent games. Make the shift change! there was opportunity to get the 2nd unit in at around 70 seconds.

I will take what you are smoking good sir!!! Honestly, how can you say Stone is far better than Wheeler??? Wheeler makes 4 guys on the ice dangerous when he has the biscuit. Stone simply has a dangerous shot. The guy is a great goal scorer, but I would never say he is far better than the big Blake.

Lastly, coaching is not holding Laine back one bit. They have tried many combinations, but the kid is a black-hole. Once the puck goes to him, no jets players see it again. His weak 5v5 and passing game has hurt himself. His slump will end, and we will all be talking about how great-a-goalscorer he is, but there are MANY issues he needs to address with his game.

And yes, please do not trade Vesalainen, Niku, or Raslovic. If Appleton, Petan, or Lemieux must go, so be it.
- bikeguy99

Good comments....but just ignore him. He's just this board's resident troll. Every board on Hockeybuzz has one.

Last night there was another shorty against the 1st PP unit, after about a 1.5minute shift. They were gassed. There was a similar one a few games ago and one or two late chances in other recent games. Make the shift change! there was opportunity to get the 2nd unit in at around 70 seconds.
- 2.0

Yep, they were gassed alright plus Buff is not game shape yet. Or start the second unit once in awhile, why not?

I will take what you are smoking good sir!!! Honestly, how can you say Stone is far better than Wheeler??? Wheeler makes 4 guys on the ice dangerous when he has the biscuit. Stone simply has a dangerous shot. The guy is a great goal scorer, but I would never say he is far better than the big Blake.

Lastly, coaching is not holding Laine back one bit. They have tried many combinations, but the kid is a black-hole. Once the puck goes to him, no jets players see it again. His weak 5v5 and passing game has hurt himself. His slump will end, and we will all be talking about how great-a-goalscorer he is, but there are MANY issues he needs to address with his game.

And yes, please do not trade Vesalainen, Niku, or Raslovic. If Appleton, Petan, or Lemieux must go, so be it.
- bikeguy99

Wheeler at age 26

71 games played; 26 goals; 35 assists; 61 total points

Stone at age 26 so far

57 games played; 26 goals; 31 assists; 57 points

There is the comparison.

I love the peg, guys, but have watched nearly every senator game for 14 years. And have only watched the last 2 years or so of jets hockey closely. The quality of hockey players are almost identical, when comparing Schiefele and Duchene, and Wheeler to Stone. Very Different styles of course, but all 4 are excellent star players. Duchene has the best hands and speed out of all 4. Schiefele and wheeler have great chemistry, as well as great forchecking, board work, and one timers. Stone is the defensive guru in the entire league. And he has done that every year he has been in the league, on terrible sens teams. He currently leads the league in takeaways, and is 3rd in giveaways vs. takeaways, at +31. On top of that he has 26-31-57. Which would make him 3rd in jets team scoring. 2nd in goals, ahead of the great laine. The difference is, he has been doing it playing with players worse than roslovic and little as linemantes. Think about how the production of scheifele or wheeler would be without playing with each other, as well as with connor, ehlers, and laine on given nights.

Now consider how much you would spend to get a player this good. (Remember, your 1st round pick is basically a 2nd, and has nothing do with a lottery, so it is worth a TON less than someone not in the playoffs. Also, the majority of other teams bidding for stone and duchene, and even dzingel, are teams the jets are likely to play. You've got Calgary, Vegas, and even Colorado interested. All of which can easily pony up a better deal if you aren't including 1st and vesalainen, potentially plus. Like I said before, it's in the jet's best interest to try and get the player signed, but hard to do. I suggested letting trouba go as part of the deal to save cash, and get a cheap filler in return. However, they could even easier send a guy like Myers, who ottawa would probably like.

1st, Vesalainen, Myers -> Stone, Harpur/Lajoie. Anything less and the jets are outbid easily. And personally, I want stone to go to the jets. But less than that, and it isn't happening as 30 other teams have a better 1st round pick to offer, and have top prospects that would be just as exciting.

And to the EK guy, yeah, it was a bad trade, but it still is up to 3 1st round picks/players for 1 year of EK, after it was known the sens weren't going to pay up. I still hate the deal, as i prefer quality over quantity. But I'm not the GM, or the stupid owner

I love the peg, guys, but have watched nearly every senator game for 14 years. And have only watched the last 2 years or so of jets hockey closely. The quality of hockey players are almost identical, when comparing Schiefele and Duchene, and Wheeler to Stone. Very Different styles of course, but all 4 are excellent star players. Duchene has the best hands and speed out of all 4. Schiefele and wheeler have great chemistry, as well as great forchecking, board work, and one timers. Stone is the defensive guru in the entire league. And he has done that every year he has been in the league, on terrible sens teams. He currently leads the league in takeaways, and is 3rd in giveaways vs. takeaways, at +31. On top of that he has 26-31-57. Which would make him 3rd in jets team scoring. 2nd in goals, ahead of the great laine. The difference is, he has been doing it playing with players worse than roslovic and little as linemantes. Think about how the production of scheifele or wheeler would be without playing with each other, as well as with connor, ehlers, and laine on given nights.

Now consider how much you would spend to get a player this good. (Remember, your 1st round pick is basically a 2nd, and has nothing do with a lottery, so it is worth a TON less than someone not in the playoffs. Also, the majority of other teams bidding for stone and duchene, and even dzingel, are teams the jets are likely to play. You've got Calgary, Vegas, and even Colorado interested. All of which can easily pony up a better deal if you aren't including 1st and vesalainen, potentially plus. Like I said before, it's in the jet's best interest to try and get the player signed, but hard to do. I suggested letting trouba go as part of the deal to save cash, and get a cheap filler in return. However, they could even easier send a guy like Myers, who ottawa would probably like.

1st, Vesalainen, Myers -> Stone, Harpur/Lajoie. Anything less and the jets are outbid easily. And personally, I want stone to go to the jets. But less than that, and it isn't happening as 30 other teams have a better 1st round pick to offer, and have top prospects that would be just as exciting.

And to the EK guy, yeah, it was a bad trade, but it still is up to 3 1st round picks/players for 1 year of EK, after it was known the sens weren't going to pay up. I still hate the deal, as i prefer quality over quantity. But I'm not the GM, or the stupid owner
- sprucesens

Good post Spruce. We enjoy having knowledgeable hockey guys on this board from other teams fan bases. I know a seasoned hockey fan when I see it. . Your posts are intelligent and well reasoned. As a homer Jet fan I may disagree with your valuations but do see your reasoning. Please feel free to hand around. Appreciate your comments.

On a Moose topic, Dano and Poolman are basically tied for points although Dano has the edge in goals.

Dano 28 gms 8g 8a 16 pts,
Poolman 27 gms 3g 12a 15pts. Poolman is a plus player (6) and Dano minus (4). Yes, yes, plus minus, ya, ya, ya

Just saying Poolman might be a valued tradeable prospect as well.

Thanks 'Nation. Since I'm new to posting on this site, but been visiting for years, I wonder is there a good Jet's blog anywhere? I searched a while back and found nothing. I've been spoiled having a few great blogs for sens related stuff. Normally just female doging about how bad the team is, lol. And the owner etc.

On a Moose topic, Dano and Poolman are basically tied for points although Dano has the edge in goals.

Dano 28 gms 8g 8a 16 pts,
Poolman 27 gms 3g 12a 15pts. Poolman is a plus player (6) and Dano minus (4). Yes, yes, plus minus, ya, ya, ya

Just saying Poolman might be a valued tradeable prospect as well.
- CharlieDog

That's cause Dano sucks.....

Thanks 'Nation. Since I'm new to posting on this site, but been visiting for years, I wonder is there a good Jet's blog anywhere? I searched a while back and found nothing. I've been spoiled having a few great blogs for sens related stuff. Normally just female doging about how bad the team is, lol. And the owner etc.
- sprucesens

Best knowledgable fan discussions ( for the most part as we do have trolls ) are on here at Hockeybuzz

Jetsnation.com . Blog with low fan comments
Arcticicehockey.com . Blog . with low fan comments
illegalcurve.com . (news, daily articles , press conferences, and practice updates)
Jets Twitter . (avoid at all costs - total garbage)

Good luck to your Sens....except Saturday

Best knowledgable fan discussions ( for the most part as we do have trolls ) are on here at Hockeybuzz

Jetsnation.com . Blog with low fan comments
Arcticicehockey.com . Blog . with low fan comments
illegalcurve.com . (news, daily articles , press conferences, and practice updates)
Jets Twitter . (avoid at all costs - total garbage)

Good luck to your Sens....except Saturday

- jetsnation

Darn. I usually only come here for rumours only. Maybe I'll have to chat here for jets stuff. Those are the same blogs I saw before when searching, and like you said, very low comments. OH well. Here it is I guess.

As for the sens, I don't care if they win or lose. Lose, no top pick. Win I guess lessens the chance of hating not having that pick. I'd prefer the jets to win, as they are my new number 1 team, despite my handle. Meh, I mostly cheer for my fantasy team now, lol

Darn. I usually only come here for rumours only. Maybe I'll have to chat here for jets stuff. Those are the same blogs I saw before when searching, and like you said, very low comments. OH well. Here it is I guess.

As for the sens, I don't care if they win or lose. Lose, no top pick. Win I guess lessens the chance of hating not having that pick. I'd prefer the jets to win, as they are my new number 1 team, despite my handle. Meh, I mostly cheer for my fantasy team now, lol
- sprucesens

Spruce. We don't just chat Jets here. We have some very knowledgable seasoned hockey veterans on here who really know their stuff. Ross77, UltimateJet, 2.0, Charliedog, Bennythehat, McJags, etc are all have excellent knowledge of the game. It's not like the Leaf's or Canuck's boards where there are so many comments and posters that everything gets completely diluted and it ends up being just noise. We also remember comments from years gone by and are not afraid to throw it back.

So if you want to talk Sens a bit and have an intellectual convo , you'll can also find it here.

Spruce. We don't just chat Jets here. We have some very knowledgable seasoned hockey veterans on here who really know their stuff. Ross77, UltimateJet, 2.0, Charliedog, Bennythehat, McJags, etc are all have excellent knowledge of the game. It's not like the Leaf's or Canuck's boards where there are so many comments and posters that everything gets completely diluted and it ends up being just noise. We also remember comments from years gone by and are not afraid to throw it back.

So if you want to talk Sens a bit and have an intellectual convo , you'll can also find it here.
- jetsnation

Cool, I'll try to talk jets here when I can. I live in edmonton, so i've had trouble chatting good hockey for a long time, lol. Hard being a fan of teams no where near where I live. Oh well.

I love the peg, guys, but have watched nearly every senator game for 14 years. And have only watched the last 2 years or so of jets hockey closely. The quality of hockey players are almost identical, when comparing Schiefele and Duchene, and Wheeler to Stone. Very Different styles of course, but all 4 are excellent star players. Duchene has the best hands and speed out of all 4. Schiefele and wheeler have great chemistry, as well as great forchecking, board work, and one timers. Stone is the defensive guru in the entire league. And he has done that every year he has been in the league, on terrible sens teams. He currently leads the league in takeaways, and is 3rd in giveaways vs. takeaways, at +31. On top of that he has 26-31-57. Which would make him 3rd in jets team scoring. 2nd in goals, ahead of the great laine. The difference is, he has been doing it playing with players worse than roslovic and little as linemantes. Think about how the production of scheifele or wheeler would be without playing with each other, as well as with connor, ehlers, and laine on given nights.

Now consider how much you would spend to get a player this good. (Remember, your 1st round pick is basically a 2nd, and has nothing do with a lottery, so it is worth a TON less than someone not in the playoffs. Also, the majority of other teams bidding for stone and duchene, and even dzingel, are teams the jets are likely to play. You've got Calgary, Vegas, and even Colorado interested. All of which can easily pony up a better deal if you aren't including 1st and vesalainen, potentially plus. Like I said before, it's in the jet's best interest to try and get the player signed, but hard to do. I suggested letting trouba go as part of the deal to save cash, and get a cheap filler in return. However, they could even easier send a guy like Myers, who ottawa would probably like.

1st, Vesalainen, Myers -> Stone, Harpur/Lajoie. Anything less and the jets are outbid easily. And personally, I want stone to go to the jets. But less than that, and it isn't happening as 30 other teams have a better 1st round pick to offer, and have top prospects that would be just as exciting.

And to the EK guy, yeah, it was a bad trade, but it still is up to 3 1st round picks/players for 1 year of EK, after it was known the sens weren't going to pay up. I still hate the deal, as i prefer quality over quantity. But I'm not the GM, or the stupid owner
- sprucesens

I mean no disrespect and thank you for posting! I understand where your coming from but to play devils advocate for a second;

-If our first rounder is not worth much, then no need including it.


-I don’t see the Avs interested at all at spending this deadline when they could possibly end up with two top 5 picks this draft and are very close with a lot of prospects coming up, they will stay the
course.

-you have less than ten days to get 2 or 3 teams to bite and offer up one of their top prospects, I’m betting none do and this has nothing to do with your evaluations and everything to do trade deadline deals and how they almost never include a teams top 1-2 prospects.

- good luck though, we shall find out soon.

-I’m guessing you get quantity over the quality you seek.

Trading your big three and coming away with at least 2 (possibly 3) firsts, 2 seconds, 2-3 B prospects and a couple fillers will not be as terrible as it sounds. I just don’t see a Vesalainen, Tolavanen, Valamaki, or prospects like these in your future. Again though, no one knows and we will find out soon.

Trading your big three and coming away with at least 2 (possibly 3) firsts, 2 seconds, 2-3 B prospects and a couple fillers will not be as terrible as it sounds. I just don’t see a Vesalainen, Tolavanen, Valamaki, or prospects like these in your future. Again though, no one knows and we will find out soon.
- Ross77

True about the picks, It would certainly lessen the blow if Colorado ends up with #1 via trade from the Sens. Ouch!

Also, about your previous post about having 10 days to get a firm offer on the big three, pressure is on for sure. Let's speculate, what happens if lets say one of the big three gets hurt before being dealt, before the 10 days left to trade dealine, then what for the Sens? They could lose the picks now and potentially the player later on in FA in summer. Pressure is on the Sens......

True about the picks, It would certainly lessen the blow if Colorado ends up with #1 via trade from the Sens. Ouch!

Also, about your previous post about having 10 days to get a firm offer on the big three, pressure is on for sure. Let's speculate, what happens if lets say one of the big three gets hurt before being dealt, before the 10 days left to trade dealine, then what for the Sens? They could lose the picks now and potentially the player later on in FA in summer. Pressure is on the Sens......
- CharlieDog

Agree completely. I know there are reports the Rangers will shut down Hayes and Zuc soon to protect against injury.

Pretty sure now Stone will be wearing a Winnipeg Jet jersey by the end of the weekend.

Price is:

Jets 2019 1st and conditional 2020 4th, Poolman, and Petan. ( What Chevy will give)

or as painful as it sounds.....

Jack Roslovic. ( what Dorian wants)

That's my prediction and I'm sticking to it.

Connor - Scheif - Wheeler
Ehlers - Little - Stone
Perreault - Lowry - Laine
Tanev - Copp- ( Lemieux / Appleton)

...and Petan will be traded before the deadline even if not part of this deal. He's worth the equivalent of a low 3rd or high 4th.

Pretty sure now Stone will be wearing a Winnipeg Jet jersey by the end of the weekend.

Price is:

Jets 2019 1st and conditional 2020 4th, Poolman, and Petan. ( What Chevy will give)

or as painful as it sounds.....

Jack Roslovic. ( what Dorian wants)

That's my prediction and I'm sticking to it.

Connor - Scheif - Wheeler
Ehlers - Little - Stone
Perreault - Lowry - Laine
Tanev - Copp- ( Lemieux / Appleton)

...and Petan will be traded before the deadline even if not part of this deal. He's worth the equivalent of a low 3rd or high 4th.
- jetsnation

Ya I think it’s pretty obvious Petan is getting moved, if he doesn’t, that’s really scary for his interest level around the league.
I’m 100% not for including Roslovic in any deal. Maybe I’m just much higher on him then others. I see a late bloomer much like Zibanejad, who Ottawa gave up on too soon.
I also think Connor may be the one to get moved in the summer. A, because he will be asking for much more than what Ehlers currently makes and is not worth that. B, because if we have to trade Trouba, we may need to trade Connor for a young NHL D like Jake Bean, Ghost, Pesce, sanheim,