Peter Tessier: Laine shines in 5-2 win over Wild Jets get win in home opener after Laine steps up to take NHL scoring lead.

Dear Patrik, I have been very hard on you for the past 12 or so months. In all honesty I had serious doubts that you would figure it all out. If your game tonight is indicative of what we can expect moving forward, then I will be more than happy to eat my words.
Keep it up !

It’s not just the young players on defense but the Jets lack of a decent defensive system, for yet another season, will come back to haunt the Jets. Helly has to play unbelievable everynight in order for the Jets to have a chance to win as giving up 35 + shots nightly doesn’t bode well for success. Unless Maurice and Huddy miraculously develop a zone defense sometime this year that doesn’t allow their opponents so much time in the Jets end and giving up so many shots, dangerous shots, the Jets will be in trouble. Niku has to play as sitting in the pressbox behind pylons like Bitetto, Dahlstrom and Kulikov will lead to him wanting a trade. It also sends a horrible message to signing Samberg that he sees he won't get a fair chance to play on the Jets as long as Maurice plays 7/8 waiver claims ahead of him. Great to win though.

and Niku goes down to the Moose.....

Pionk + Hienola = Trouba so far i'd take that every day of the week

Dear Patrik, I have been very hard on you for the past 12 or so months. In all honesty I had serious doubts that you would figure it all out. If your game tonight is indicative of what we can expect moving forward, then I will be more than happy to eat my words.
Keep it up !
- bennythehat

I will second this and add Helle to the list as well. I am happy that both Laine and Helle have saluted us all with the middle finger and letting their play make the statement.

Consistency is the goal but this is a darn good start...…..

Pionk + Hienola = Trouba so far i'd take that every day of the week
- sparky1957

There is good material to work with in these two.

Pionck needs coaching and Heinola needs some physical growth and coaching but these two have the skill set to work toward getting them both to a higher level.

Dear Patrik, I have been very hard on you for the past 12 or so months. In all honesty I had serious doubts that you would figure it all out. If your game tonight is indicative of what we can expect moving forward, then I will be more than happy to eat my words.
Keep it up !
- bennythehat

Dear Patrik, didn't you do this to me last year in November? so much promise and then... well... lets just agree not to talk about the rest of your year.

If this is the player you are then maybe we can make this Jets thing work after all.

My dream is that your #29 will hang in the rafters of BellMTS beside a few cup banners. Are we together on that?

Yours Maybe - 2.0

and Niku goes down to the Moose.....
- bennythehat

So, looks like Dahlstrom is the 7th Dman.

Niku has to play and there are two Moose home games back to back, tonite and Sat. I would agree he should be on the big club as well but I think they want him playing instead of sitting even if its with the Moose.

Morrisey Pionck
Heinola Poolman
Bitteto Kulikov

I’d like to say that the player intros last night were awesome, but then I would be lying.

I’d like to say that the player intros last night were awesome, but then I would be lying.
- bennythehat

way better than the 1997 intros.

I liked the live band idea, however, at least on TV the music completely overpowered the organic crowd noise.

way better than the 1997 intros.

I liked the live band idea, however, at least on TV the music completely overpowered the organic crowd noise.
- 2.0

3 high school kids could have done the same.

I will second this and add Helle to the list as well. I am happy that both Laine and Helle have saluted us all with the middle finger and letting their play make the statement.

Consistency is the goal but this is a darn good start...…..
- CharlieDog

I think I will hold my praise for #29 until the season ends. I have seen this player go hot for stretches in the past and I am like "yeah Laine is the real deal" to only watch in dissapointment afterward wondering what the heck that hot streak was about.

If he does this consistently and becomes the 40/40 player that he showed flashes off becoming in his rookie season, I will be more than happy to admit that my assessment of this player was wrong. Especially if the Jets win a Stanley Cup as a result!

Hmmmmm put Laine on top line and he tears it up. About damn time. Got him on my fantasy team and loving it

I think I will hold my praise for #29 until the season ends. I have seen this player go hot for stretches in the past and I am like "yeah Laine is the real deal" to only watch in dissapointment afterward wondering what the heck that hot streak was about.

If he does this consistently and becomes the 40/40 player that he showed flashes off becoming in his rookie season, I will be more than happy to admit that my assessment of this player was wrong. Especially if the Jets win a Stanley Cup as a result!
- TheUltimateJet

Yea I hear you.

But there is a difference about Patty's game this season so far. He looks like he wants the puck - and is willing to go and get it. You can teach willingness to battle.

I truly think there is a definitive change in Patty's game - and I'm all for it, after being negative in other years. He looks like a true power forward.

Before the season I thought, uh, maybe 65 pts. Now - if he maintains the same fire and desire - 90+ pts.

I shall make my brief return to note some things before disappearing into the night once more:

The good:
-Heinola is already our 2nd best dman, and the fact that he seems visibly uncomfortable following Huddy’s stupid man-to-man system is good as well. For an 18 year old to come in and see the issues immediately speaks to his intelligence.
-The decimated blueline means Jets have finally been forced into playing high-tempo, shootout hockey. Like we should have been all along. We’re faster than almost everyone, and we have more shooting talent than almost anyone. Get possession, throw it to your nearest forward, and f*ckin go. Frantic, high event hockey favours us, as we can and will score more often than the opposition.
-Perreault-Roslovic-Appleton has been dangerous, and while Roslovic still can’t defend for sh*t as a centre, Perreault is covering for him well enough to let him try and adjust.
-Laine is god. The top line is terrifying again.
-Connor-Copp-Ehlers seems to work. Ehlers is going absolutely insane so far (Which I love), Copp offers playmaking ability and wall work that Little just can’t anymore, and Connor, while snakebitten, is getting chances. Isyaboi needs to stop dumping it in on every entry, and learn from Ehlers on how to carry the puck though.
-I actually like Neal Pionk. He’s as bad in our end as I expected, but the pace of play suits him perfectly, and I’m actually excited whenever he’s got the puck on his stick.

The bad:
-Bitetto is worse on a shift by shift basis than I ever imagined Pionk would be on his worst day. He is late to every puck, loses every battle, and constantly blows his assignments. He also loves chipping pucks off of stuff more than Ben Chairot, which is a lot a lot.
-Lowry is drowning with the AHLers. Fix this. Give him Little and Gus when you can, just to see what happens.
-Niku being demoted to keep AHL talent. The risk of him being shaky defensively is not worth the guarantee of Bitetto and Dahlstrom chewing scenery, especially when you know Niku can kill it offensively.
-David Gustafsson. He’s excellent, and should be Maurice’s favourite toy. He’s big, he’s smooth, and he’s very smart. Buuuut he’s 18, so we can’t use him, and need to scratch him for the entire road trip when his parents flew in specifically to watch their son play. AHLers need their ice time, and decisions like these are definitely for sure in no way remembered by players. Especially not those in the vicinity of New Jersey.
Great first impression, Paul, you d*ckhead

I shall make my brief return to note some things before disappearing into the night once more:

The good:
-Heinola is already our 2nd best dman, and the fact that he seems visibly uncomfortable following Huddy’s stupid man-to-man system is good as well. For an 18 year old to come in and see the issues immediately speaks to his intelligence.
-The decimated blueline means Jets have finally been forced into playing high-tempo, shootout hockey. Like we should have been all along. We’re faster than almost everyone, and we have more shooting talent than almost anyone. Get possession, throw it to your nearest forward, and f*ckin go. Frantic, high event hockey favours us, as we can and will score more often than the opposition.
-Perreault-Roslovic-Appleton has been dangerous, and while Roslovic still can’t defend for sh*t as a centre, Perreault is covering for him well enough to let him try and adjust.
-Laine is god. The top line is terrifying again.
-Connor-Copp-Ehlers seems to work. Ehlers is going absolutely insane so far (Which I love), Copp offers playmaking ability and wall work that Little just can’t anymore, and Connor, while snakebitten, is getting chances. Isyaboi needs to stop dumping it in on every entry, and learn from Ehlers on how to carry the puck though.
-I actually like Neal Pionk. He’s as bad in our end as I expected, but the pace of play suits him perfectly, and I’m actually excited whenever he’s got the puck on his stick.

The bad:
-Bitetto is worse on a shift by shift basis than I ever imagined Pionk would be on his worst day. He is late to every puck, loses every battle, and constantly blows his assignments. He also loves chipping pucks off of stuff more than Ben Chairot, which is a lot a lot.
-Lowry is drowning with the AHLers. Fix this. Give him Little and Gus when you can, just to see what happens.
-Niku being demoted to keep AHL talent. The risk of him being shaky defensively is not worth the guarantee of Bitetto and Dahlstrom chewing scenery, especially when you know Niku can kill it offensively.
-David Gustafsson. He’s excellent, and should be Maurice’s favourite toy. He’s big, he’s smooth, and he’s very smart. Buuuut he’s 18, so we can’t use him, and need to scratch him for the entire road trip when his parents flew in specifically to watch their son play. AHLers need their ice time, and decisions like these are definitely for sure in no way remembered by players. Especially not those in the vicinity of New Jersey.
Great first impression, Paul, you d*ckhead
- Rexypoo

Maybe surprisingly, but I basically agree with 99% of this. Pretty well my thoughts.

And "Merry flippin' Xmas!" Snow, snow and more snow! Anyone else seeing any of the white stuff?

Maybe surprisingly, but I basically agree with 99% of this. Pretty well my thoughts.

And "Merry flippin' Xmas!" Snow, snow and more snow! Anyone else seeing any of the white stuff?
- grahamzky

I agree with most of it too.

One thing I do find interesting is how Roslovic became a Center due to an injury happening to Little. Many ways it's similar to how Scheifele became the teams top line Center.

I agree with most of it too.

One thing I do find interesting is how Roslovic became a Center due to an injury happening to Little. Many ways it's similar to how Scheifele became the teams top line Center.
- TheUltimateJet

Not sure he is there yet, but liking Roslo's game - injuries do play a huge part in a player getting a decent chance - got to take advantage of it when opportunity knocks.

Hoping Roslo stays at C! Not sure what happens when Little returns? Does Copp stay at 2C? Gustafsson returned to Sweden and Letestu to press box?

I'm thinking, barring injury, Bitetto - 82 games - as I utter some four letter words!

Not sure he is there yet, but liking Roslo's game - injuries do play a huge part in a player getting a decent chance - got to take advantage of it when opportunity knocks.

Hoping Roslo stays at C! Not sure what happens when Little returns? Does Copp stay at 2C? Gustafsson returned to Sweden and Letestu to press box?

I'm thinking, barring injury, Bitetto - 82 games - as I utter some four letter words!
- grahamzky

If I were to pick one Jet that doesn't deserve to be on the roster or even in the NHL it would be Letestu. The guy is a complete anchor in any combination he has played so far. There were several other players I thought were better ( some leaps and bounds better) than anything Letestu could muster. Suess, Luoto, Lipon, Gustafsson, Shaw, Spacek, Chibisov. I just dont get what Maurice sees in Letestu.

As for Bitetto. Once Niku finishes his conditioning stint on the Moose Bitetto will be history. I consider him a short term fill in guy. No way will he play even 30 games.

If I were to pick one Jet that doesn't deserve to be on the roster or even in the NHL it would be Letestu. The guy is a complete anchor in any combination he has played so far. There were several other players I thought were better ( some leaps and bounds better) than anything Letestu could muster. Suess, Luoto, Lipon, Gustafsson, Shaw, Spacek, Chibisov. I just dont get what Maurice sees in Letestu.

As for Bitetto. Once Niku finishes his conditioning stint on the Moose Bitetto will be history. I consider him a short term fill in guy. No way will he play even 30 games.
- jetsnation

From your mouth to God's (PoMo's) ears!! 🙏......

If I were to pick one Jet that doesn't deserve to be on the roster or even in the NHL it would be Letestu. The guy is a complete anchor in any combination he has played so far. There were several other players I thought were better ( some leaps and bounds better) than anything Letestu could muster. Suess, Luoto, Lipon, Gustafsson, Shaw, Spacek, Chibisov. I just dont get what Maurice sees in Letestu.

As for Bitetto. Once Niku finishes his conditioning stint on the Moose Bitetto will be history. I consider him a short term fill in guy. No way will he play even 30 games.
- jetsnation

Man I hope you're right about Niku-Bitetto, but not sure that will happen. Obviously Paul loves Bitetto.

Man I hope you're right about Niku-Bitetto, but not sure that will happen. Obviously Paul loves Bitetto.
- grahamzky

What's really worse? The coach that plays Bitetto or the GM who signed him in the first place?

By now Chevy should know Maurice's tendencies. So when you sign guys like Bitetto and Letestu they are going to play for Maurice. If Chevy doesn't want guys like that playing don't sign them in the first place.

What's really worse? The coach that plays Bitetto or the GM who signed him in the first place?

By now Chevy should know Maurice's tendencies. So when you sign guys like Bitetto and Letestu they are going to play for Maurice. If Chevy doesn't want guys like that playing don't sign them in the first place.
- BWJumper

This

If I were to pick one Jet that doesn't deserve to be on the roster or even in the NHL it would be Letestu. The guy is a complete anchor in any combination he has played so far. There were several other players I thought were better ( some leaps and bounds better) than anything Letestu could muster. Suess, Luoto, Lipon, Gustafsson, Shaw, Spacek, Chibisov. I just dont get what Maurice sees in Letestu.

As for Bitetto. Once Niku finishes his conditioning stint on the Moose Bitetto will be history. I consider him a short term fill in guy. No way will he play even 30 games.
- jetsnation

You forgot to mention Harkins. He's started on fire so far in the A.

Also as good as Laine has been; not to beat a dead horse, Scheifle has been on the ice for all of his 5v5 goals. No winger on this roster can score without Scheifele centering them.