Well, how about that game?

Ville Heinola gone in 9 games? Maybe not.

Our defence is horrifying.

Well, how about that game?

Ville Heinola gone in 9 games? Maybe not.

Our defence is horrifying.
- CharlieDog

I actually like our defense. Was it not two years ago, "our great defense" completely pooped the bed in back-to-back games against Toronto and Calgary. I think we let in 13 goals in two games or something like that to start the season.

Besides having Trouba, Byfuglien and Myers. That defense also boasted having the great Tobias Enstrom as part of it!


Pionk, Kulikov and Heinola each had two points. The guys on the backend are better at rushing the puck up ice. I think we are going to be fine!

Well, how about that game?

Ville Heinola gone in 9 games? Maybe not.

Our defence is horrifying.
- CharlieDog

Nice comeback ! Heinola looked a heckuva lot better this game. Pionk also was good. Morrissey was fine, the rest , Kulikov and Bietto were tire fires.
What has happened to our goaltending? Hopefully not a trend that lasts.

Nice comeback ! Heinola looked a heckuva lot better this game. Pionk also was good. Morrissey was fine, the rest , Kulikov and Bietto were tire fires.
What has happened to our goaltending? Hopefully not a trend that lasts.
- jetsnation

The same Kulikov that started the comeback?

I actually like our defense. Was it not two years ago, "our great defense" completely pooped the bed in back-to-back games against Toronto and Calgary. I think we let in 13 goals in two games or something like that to start the season.

Besides having Trouba, Byfuglien and Myers. That defense also boasted having the great Tobias Enstrom as part of it!


Pionk, Kulikov and Heinola each had two points. The guys on the backend are better at rushing the puck up ice. I think we are going to be fine!
- TheUltimateJet

I will give the team credit for not giving up after 4 zip. Schneider was an early factor as well to shut down the Jets. I thought it was over after they scored the 4th. Give Brossoit some credit as well after letting in 4, buckled down and shut the door, good bounceback within the game.

Heinola looks slow, small, yet when he needs to skate fast to close gap on someone, he can stick with that player. I can't recall which Devil had a jump on him down the left side (was it Hall?) but he closed the gap and there was no play. Also had time on the pp, not bad for a young 18 yo kid. He certainly looks no worse than any other Jet D man and perhaps better than some. Kuli started the comeback but #1 pairing? But, hey, beggars can't be choosers and one of the TSN pundits said we are currently playing 2 AHL Dmen in our lineup.

Heinola is looking like a great pick. I like his poise on the blueline in their end, doesn't panic, sees the ice, holds onto the puck looking for a play, always in the correct position.

The D is a work in progress.

I was reminded of a good point, it’s often (too often) pointed out we acquired centers in each of the last two deadlines
But
Last year our top target was Stone (a winger!!) and we tried very hard to get him but Ottawa was drawing it out so we switched gears, and for the record the Ottawa Vegas deal was made with mere seconds to spare.

We also don’t know who else we targeted, other Wingers or D?

Not saying an upgrade at 2C is not needed, that’s not what I’m saying!!

Just saying it’s over blown about acquiring a center two years in a row when last year it was not our main target

I will give the team credit for not giving up after 4 zip. Schneider was an early factor as well to shut down the Jets. I thought it was over after they scored the 4th. Give Brossoit some credit as well after letting in 4, buckled down and shut the door, good bounceback within the game.

Heinola looks slow, small, yet when he needs to skate fast to close gap on someone, he can stick with that player. I can't recall which Devil had a jump on him down the left side (was it Hall?) but he closed the gap and there was no play. Also had time on the pp, not bad for a young 18 yo kid. He certainly looks no worse than any other Jet D man and perhaps better than some. Kuli started the comeback but #1 pairing? But, hey, beggars can't be choosers and one of the TSN pundits said we are currently playing 2 AHL Dmen in our lineup.

Heinola is looking like a great pick. I like his poise on the blueline in their end, doesn't panic, sees the ice, holds onto the puck looking for a play, always in the correct position.

The D is a work in progress.
- CharlieDog

Heinola has played great for an 18-year-old, but still, for his long-term development would send him back to Finland when Niku comes back. But certainly looks poised and a future stalwart.
Haven't been a great Laine fan, but thought Patrik looked better than I've ever seen him - a step faster this year - and seemingly much more engaged. No, no goals but I liked his game. Connor is Connor - 35 goals.
They didn't put up a whole lot of points last night, but we are so lucky to have and watch Ehlers-Scheifele-Wheeler, threats every time on ice. Captain Obvious!
Our "D need some work - a lot of work.
Next game I would like to see Dahlstrom slot in and Bitetto has his backside in the press box. Don't know much about Dahlstrom but anyone would be better than Bitetto.
Also like to see Gustaffson in next game, Letestu out. See what the young kid has got - looked r-e-a-l good in ex. games.
What's the feeling on Copp, does he stay or does he go from the 2nd line? You know I think there is still hope for Roslovic to play centre on the Jets.
With the current d - our goalies GAA is going to go up, save% down, that's a fact. An upgrade on the back-end is sorely needed.
But great victory - have to give the guys a lot of credit for bouncing back!

Bittetto, Letestu and Bourque have become the whipping boys on this site. Replacing, Dano, Stuart, Pavelic talk which was always so predictable.

If Bourque was named Tanev he would be liked.

Nothing wrong having a motivated and experienced Lestestu around to fill in and spell off Gustafson and others as needed throughout the season. The playoffs should at least be the goal. Going all young at the same time decreases the odds.

Note how in the Philadelphia Flyers TV show - Behind the Glass they show Vigneault discussing the value of a particular player and focusing some of his value in his good personality in the room. I thought we saw last year the results of a negative "room." I don't think many favor another season of such an environment.

Think Poolman has struggled the most on back end but he needs to play.

Button repeatedly critiquing the Jets D is too easy. See many teams struggling at times in their own end. The salary cap era forces hard decisions and Buff's bombshell left the Jets in this hole.

If the Jets send down Heinola it will have to be because they have acquired a steady D man as a replacement. He is currently near the top of the D group.

Pionk has been a pleasant surprise.

Like to see the fourth line used more as they have skill but they likely face the fourth line on other teams and this may be to their advantage. Regardless they came up big last night.

Brossoit provides more confidence right now in the goaltending. I think the perception that Helle needs to keep his self confidence to himself is correct.

I will give the team credit for not giving up after 4 zip. Schneider was an early factor as well to shut down the Jets. I thought it was over after they scored the 4th. Give Brossoit some credit as well after letting in 4, buckled down and shut the door, good bounceback within the game.

Heinola looks slow, small, yet when he needs to skate fast to close gap on someone, he can stick with that player. I can't recall which Devil had a jump on him down the left side (was it Hall?) but he closed the gap and there was no play. Also had time on the pp, not bad for a young 18 yo kid. He certainly looks no worse than any other Jet D man and perhaps better than some. Kuli started the comeback but #1 pairing? But, hey, beggars can't be choosers and one of the TSN pundits said we are currently playing 2 AHL Dmen in our lineup.

Heinola is looking like a great pick. I like his poise on the blueline in their end, doesn't panic, sees the ice, holds onto the puck looking for a play, always in the correct position.

The D is a work in progress.
- CharlieDog

All I know is this CharlieDog, Trouba, Byfuglien and Myers have been here for all of our playoff appearances. All three combined have won us 2, that's right 2 playoff series! That's in 6 years of playing together!

It's time for a change.

Furthermore, Nashville has boasted an allstar defensive core for the last decade and they too have won 0 cups.

All I know is this CharlieDog, Trouba, Byfuglien and Myers have been here for all of our playoff appearances. All three combined have won us 2, that's right 2 playoff series! That's in 6 years of playing together!

It's time for a change.

Furthermore, Nashville has boasted an allstar defensive core for the last decade and they too have won 0 cups.
- TheUltimateJet

I liked the blues and caps D the last two years.

Hey ultimate, how did edmonton do when their Center depth was
McDavid
Draisitle
RNH
strome

They must have won the cup cause that’s pretty deep down the middle?

Hey ultimate, how did edmonton do when their Center depth was
McDavid
Draisitle
RNH
strome

They must have won the cup cause that’s pretty deep down the middle?
- Ross77

I also liked when Florida had
Barkov
Trocheck
Bjudstead

Or I suppose Pitt should every year with
Crosby
Malkin

Or when the leafs with
Taveras
Mathews

Or when the islanders had
Taveras
Barzal

Or when the ducks had
Getzlaf
Kessler
In their prime

I can keep going, my point is simple, a certified top 2 or even 3 centers doesn’t guarantee anything. There is no perfect recipe that can be spit out

Hey ultimate, how did edmonton do when their Center depth was
McDavid
Draisitle
RNH
strome

They must have won the cup cause that’s pretty deep down the middle?
- Ross77

Name me a Stanley Cup champion that did not have two centres who were capable of centering number one lines.

The Blackhawks are the only outlier since 2005.

I also liked when Florida had
Barkov
Trocheck
Bjudstead

Or I suppose Pitt should every year with
Crosby
Malkin

Or when the leafs with
Taveras
Mathews

Or when the islanders had
Taveras
Barzal

Or when the ducks had
Getzlaf
Kessler
In their prime

I can keep going, my point is simple, a certified top 2 or even 3 centers doesn’t guarantee anything. There is no perfect recipe that can be spit out
- Ross77

Nothing is ever guaranteed, but it does increase a teams odds. Even David Poile recognizes this. He traded away Subban for peanuts in order to open up cap space to sign Duchene.

Laine echoed those statements as well this offseason in that infamous interview.

Name me a Stanley Cup champion that did not have two centres who were capable of centering number one lines.

The Blackhawks are the only outlier since 2005.
- TheUltimateJet

Furthermore, both Sakic and Nill have also recognized that they need #2 centres. Sakic gave up defense to get Kadri, and Nill went out and signed Pavelski.

I think having a coach who has made the playoffs 7 years in a 21 year career is probably a bigger reason for the Jets lack of success then the player personnel.

The same Kulikov that started the comeback?
- TheUltimateJet

I'm not going to give Kulikov much credit for a shot that found a seam and went in. Defensively he was not good. Certainly things on D will improve when Niku comes back. We are also now hearing that Buff will likely be back pending mgmt decision. Currently, there is no way the Jets will ever contend for the cup with their current defense. That's the bottom line. As I said before I was very impressed with Heinola against Jersey. He does have to get faster though.

I'm not going to give Kulikov much credit for a shot that found a seam and went in. Defensively he was not good. Certainly things on D will improve when Niku comes back. We are also now hearing that Buff will likely be back pending mgmt decision. Currently, there is no way the Jets will ever contend for the cup with their current defense. That's the bottom line. As I said before I was very impressed with Heinola against Jersey. He does have to get faster though.
- jetsnation

I am hoping that Kulikov gets significant amount of time and plays like a decent number four or five defenseman. I think he gets moved at the trade deadline. There are enough defenseman in the system that are similar quality, younger and cheaper.

I'm not going to give Kulikov much credit for a shot that found a seam and went in. Defensively he was not good. Certainly things on D will improve when Niku comes back. We are also now hearing that Buff will likely be back pending mgmt decision. Currently, there is no way the Jets will ever contend for the cup with their current defense. That's the bottom line. As I said before I was very impressed with Heinola against Jersey. He does have to get faster though.
- jetsnation

I guess we will agree to disagree. Our defense is just as good as what the Penguins trotted out in their back-to-back championship teams. I would even argue that ours is better.

Furthermore, both Sakic and Nill have also recognized that they need #2 centres. Sakic gave up defense to get Kadri, and Nill went out and signed Pavelski.
- TheUltimateJet

And other GM’s gave up centers for D

And other GM’s gave up centers for D
- Ross77

I agree and that's why I think we could have gotten that Center for Trouba a year ago.

Nice to be on the same page as you Ross!

I agree and that's why I think we could have gotten that Center for Trouba a year ago.

Nice to be on the same page as you Ross!
- TheUltimateJet

Not to suggest that this scenario ever happened. I think if the Jets had gone to a team like the Red Wings and offered Roslovic, Trouba and Lemieux for Larkin, it definitely would have caused the Wings to think about making a deal.

I always think that a good comparable to Trouba would be Seth Jones. An unproven Jones got the Predators Ryan Johannson. We had a proven Trouba and I do sincerely believe that Trouba with two years controlled would have gotten us much more than just Pionk as we got this past offseason. We also would have avoided trading our first round pick for Hayes.

Bittetto, Letestu and Bourque have become the whipping boys on this site. Replacing, Dano, Stuart, Pavelic talk which was always so predictable.

If Bourque was named Tanev he would be liked.

Nothing wrong having a motivated and experienced Lestestu around to fill in and spell off Gustafson and others as needed throughout the season. The playoffs should at least be the goal. Going all young at the same time decreases the odds.

Note how in the Philadelphia Flyers TV show - Behind the Glass they show Vigneault discussing the value of a particular player and focusing some of his value in his good personality in the room. I thought we saw last year the results of a negative "room." I don't think many favor another season of such an environment.

Think Poolman has struggled the most on back end but he needs to play.

Button repeatedly critiquing the Jets D is too easy. See many teams struggling at times in their own end. The salary cap era forces hard decisions and Buff's bombshell left the Jets in this hole.

If the Jets send down Heinola it will have to be because they have acquired a steady D man as a replacement. He is currently near the top of the D group.

Pionk has been a pleasant surprise.

Like to see the fourth line used more as they have skill but they likely face the fourth line on other teams and this may be to their advantage. Regardless they came up big last night.

Brossoit provides more confidence right now in the goaltending. I think the perception that Helle needs to keep his self confidence to himself is correct.
- justsaying

Good comment.

And I agree that Button is a windbag, low quality commentary.

Did you guys catch the classic Myers play last night, it was nice to see him do that in another jersey for once.

Enjoy Nucks fans

Did you guys catch the classic Myers play last night, it was nice to see him do that in another jersey for once.

Enjoy Nucks fans
- Ross77

I have seen Trouba and Byfuglien also make that play many times. For some reason, Jets fans were always harder on Myers than the other two. And, if you are right about the big dog coming back, I am sure we will see that same play many more times and this time it will be in a Jets jersey.