Heck, the mistakes Ferguson made back then were horrendous. Most Jets draft picks in the mid to late 80's were brutal. Even in the early 80's the only one Ferguson got right was Hawerchuk , but he was a no-brainer anyways. In 1979 we all remember the ridiculous pick of Jimmy Mann over the next pick which was Michel Goulet.....dohhh !. He liked the big tough guys. How about Babych over Coffey or Denis Savard in 1980 or Jim Kyte ahead of Dave Andreychuk in 1982. Ferguson was a horrible GM. He rarely ever took the great skaters with high hockey sense because he never had remotely any of those abilities in his pro-hockey career.
- jetsnation

He did draft Teemu though, it was his last draft I believe. Mike Smith was not much better, remember Sergie Bautin lol

and Wheeler has as many points on PP as future hall of famer Marko Dano
- Ross77

By your use of hall of famer in your quote I see you understand sarcasm, and noticed it in my post about "other generational goal scorers". It doesn't change the FACT that he has the same amount of goals as them over 74 games. and trying to use the PP output of players over the course of 16 games as an equal stat comparison to a 74 game goal output shows your lack of understanding of what is equal.

Here is something better
Last 74 games
Wheeler 21 goals 51 assists 72 points
Laine 14 goals 28 assists 42 points

I loved the colour offered in Maurice's interview today on a few subjects.

Sounds like Maurice gets the credit for Pionk being his choice to be on the team in the Trouba trade.

...and music to my ears about what I have been saying about Ehlers and Roslovic being magic together. Maurice is fully on-board with finding any way to keep those two together. Glad he sees that same magic. Looking very forward to seeing this speedy line tonight with Wheeler in the middle.

I guess Wpg fans don't have blog to post anymore......... kinda sad

I guess Wpg fans don't have blog to post anymore......... kinda sad
- CharlieDog

Very sad!

I guess Wpg fans don't have blog to post anymore......... kinda sad
- CharlieDog

Until someone comes along I suggest we just bookmark this thread as the ongoing conversation for the Jets.

Until someone comes along I suggest we just bookmark this thread as the ongoing conversation for the Jets.
- jetsnation

I guess we can do that but maybe HB will discontinue this thread as well. What happened to the other writer, Russ was it? What happened to that writer?

Is it possible for HB to have an interim writer in the meantime? Like you said you would not be writing but perhaps an agreed neutral writing appraoch for a guest op on an interim basis might be possible?

I am just tossing out suggestions. There are many posters here that know the game very well, that much is obvious, with varying opinions but someone that could string together a blog theme and then back off and let the posters have at it in commenting etc.

Just a suggestion but this current situation sucks.

I guess we can do that but maybe HB will discontinue this thread as well. What happened to the other writer, Russ was it? What happened to that writer?

Is it possible for HB to have an interim writer in the meantime? Like you said you would not be writing but perhaps an agreed neutral writing appraoch for a guest op on an interim basis might be possible?

I am just tossing out suggestions. There are many posters here that know the game very well, that much is obvious, with varying opinions but someone that could string together a blog theme and then back off and let the posters have at it in commenting etc.

Just a suggestion but this current situation sucks.
- CharlieDog

I can be the interim writer if need be.

I can be the interim writer if need be.
- TheUltimateJet

Ok, you're hired! Please proceed with a blog as we need to heard!

A starting thread could center around Hellebuyck raising eyebrows with sub par senior leaque quality early season perforkance to steadily trending upwards in perfermance. Season is still young but the man has elevated his play. Long ways to go but no one is (including myself) criticising him now.

The birdman also has two shutouts in a row on the road on a questionable Moose team.

What a difference a week makes. If the Jets can win their next game against Colorado ( and a few other things go right) then suddenly the Jets would be in 2nd place in the entire conference. I talked about making some judgments at the 20 game mark and we are not quite there but quite frankly Maurice has done an excellent job of getting through all these injuries, suspensions, freak accidents, etc and whipping this team into a much better defensively aware team.

Now that we have pretty much all of the defencemen healthy and the added bonus of possibly Niku coming in at some point , its not looking nearly as bad as many fans made the 2019-20 Jets out to be. Give credit where credit is due. Maurice was the one that spotted the skills in all the defensemen the Jets picked up. Pionk , despite his one gaffe in yesterday's game, may actually be a better player than Trouba at one third the price. The rest were all pretty decent acquisitions for nothing, Dahlstrom, Sbisa in particular.

So the only caveat I have here is that the Jets have yet to play some of the league's top teams such as the Bruins and Capitals. I'm not sure we will fare that well against them as we stand now, but in another 10-15 games and barring further injuries, they might just get there.

Pionk is coachable, and is learning quickly. 23 minutes per game and seems to be quite durable for an sverage sized Dman.

I think the Roslovic for Puljijarvi train of thought has passed with Rosie starting to confidently emerging. Maurice says he is faster than Ehlers.

I am in the "don't trade any of Ehlers, Laine, Rosie, Connor" camp under any circumstances even if the year goes awry as this is heck a core today and in the future.

Splitting up Wheeler and Scheifle is/was long overdue. That line and the 1st pp just became too way to predicatble. I liked the new look pp, even with Copp out there at center. U can't have success with throwing out the same line and them them snap it around the perimeter for two miniues. About time they changed it up.

What a difference a week makes. If the Jets can win their next game against Colorado ( and a few other things go right) then suddenly the Jets would be in 2nd place in the entire conference. I talked about making some judgments at the 20 game mark and we are not quite there but quite frankly Maurice has done an excellent job of getting through all these injuries, suspensions, freak accidents, etc and whipping this team into a much better defensively aware team.

Now that we have pretty much all of the defencemen healthy and the added bonus of possibly Niku coming in at some point , its not looking nearly as bad as many fans made the 2019-20 Jets out to be. Give credit where credit is due. Maurice was the one that spotted the skills in all the defensemen the Jets picked up. Pionk , despite his one gaffe in yesterday's game, may actually be a better player than Trouba at one third the price. The rest were all pretty decent acquisitions for nothing, Dahlstrom, Sbisa in particular.

So the only caveat I have here is that the Jets have yet to play some of the league's top teams such as the Bruins and Capitals. I'm not sure we will fare that well against them as we stand now, but in another 10-15 games and barring further injuries, they might just get there.
- jetsnation

No number backs up the claim the Jets are playing good. When your goalie is number 3 in sv% in the NHL and has faced the most shots in the league, that's a pretty good indication on what has saved the team so far this season. If the Jets were to make the playoffs you might as well give him the Vezina and make him a Hart finalist.

What a difference a week makes. If the Jets can win their next game against Colorado ( and a few other things go right) then suddenly the Jets would be in 2nd place in the entire conference. I talked about making some judgments at the 20 game mark and we are not quite there but quite frankly Maurice has done an excellent job of getting through all these injuries, suspensions, freak accidents, etc and whipping this team into a much better defensively aware team.

Now that we have pretty much all of the defencemen healthy and the added bonus of possibly Niku coming in at some point , its not looking nearly as bad as many fans made the 2019-20 Jets out to be. Give credit where credit is due. Maurice was the one that spotted the skills in all the defensemen the Jets picked up. Pionk , despite his one gaffe in yesterday's game, may actually be a better player than Trouba at one third the price. The rest were all pretty decent acquisitions for nothing, Dahlstrom, Sbisa in particular.

So the only caveat I have here is that the Jets have yet to play some of the league's top teams such as the Bruins and Capitals. I'm not sure we will fare that well against them as we stand now, but in another 10-15 games and barring further injuries, they might just get there.
- jetsnation

I, for one, will eat a little crow on PoMo. I'm still reserving judgement on some of his choices - Letestu and Borque - but something has this team playing better than I expected. Hellebuyck,
of course, but I do believe we got better when Letestu, and then Borque, were injured, Copp went back with Lowry, and Beaulieu came back. Little's return was also a major factor, solidifying a 2nd line to put Nic and Jack together, and Poolman continues to step up. Niku's return will only improve our game. I'll also eat crow on Sbisa. Here's hoping there's no need for Bitetto coming back in.
I do think Vegas and Calgary were unexpected- maybe not impressive- wins against good teams.

GO FOR IT ULTIMATE!! I won't always agree, but I think it will be lively. Let's not make it personal guys🙏.....

I, for one, will eat a little crow on PoMo. I'm still reserving judgement on some of his choices - Letestu and Borque - but something has this team playing better than I expected. Hellebuyck,
of course, but I do believe we got better when Letestu, and then Borque, were injured, Copp went back with Lowry, and Beaulieu came back. Little's return was also a major factor, solidifying a 2nd line to put Nic and Jack together, and Poolman continues to step up. Niku's return will only improve our game. I'll also eat crow on Sbisa. Here's hoping there's no need for Bitetto coming back in.
I do think Vegas and Calgary were unexpected- maybe not impressive- wins against good teams.

GO FOR IT ULTIMATE!! I won't always agree, but I think it will be lively. Let's not make it personal guys🙏.....
- liverpoolnhl

I almost forgot the most important one: SEPARATING 55 AND 26✋....
Also praying that The new look power play gets a long look....

I'm thinking under normal circumstances that Niku would now be on the Jets roster , especially because of the bonus that he prefers to play the right side even though he is left-handed. However , someone would need to be sent down. Sbisa, Dalhstrom, and Bitteto would all have to clear waivers. While most fans don't care about Bitteto, it seems Maurice likes his play . So I'm thinking that none of these guys are going to get sent down and the Jets will await an injury type event to make the switch and get Niku back on the roster.

I'm thinking under normal circumstances that Niku would now be on the Jets roster , especially because of the bonus that he prefers to play the right side even though he is left-handed. However , someone would need to be sent down. Sbisa, Dalhstrom, and Bitteto would all have to clear waivers. While most fans don't care about Bitteto, it seems Maurice likes his play . So I'm thinking that none of these guys are going to get sent down and the Jets will await an injury type event to make the switch and get Niku back on the roster.
- jetsnation

Yes, apparently the coach and some pundits like Bitteto's simple game. So, like him or not, sounds like he ain't going nowhere.

And yes, I believe you are correct with the Niku assessment. The team wants him playing and until there is an injury, I don't suspect he will join the big club until such injury occurs.

BTW, apparently the Birdman has another win. 6 and 6, .914 average with 2 shut outs.

Vesalainen - 14 games played, 1 goal, 4 A, -2. Not the best start to the season.

Niku - 9 games, 3 g, 7 A - 10 pts. Apparently mgmt. want him playing lots of Top minutes to keep that skill set up. Niku is looking good!

Harkins - 14 games, 5 g, 11 A, 16 pts, +7 looks like a breakout for "center" Harkins

I'm thinking under normal circumstances that Niku would now be on the Jets roster , especially because of the bonus that he prefers to play the right side even though he is left-handed. However , someone would need to be sent down. Sbisa, Dalhstrom, and Bitteto would all have to clear waivers. While most fans don't care about Bitteto, it seems Maurice likes his play . So I'm thinking that none of these guys are going to get sent down and the Jets will await an injury type event to make the switch and get Niku back on the roster.
- jetsnation

What a great loss if any of Sbisa, Dahlstrom, and Bitetto got claimed after Niku is called up.
It should be pretty obvious that Maurice doesn't like something about Niku. Maybe it's like you said he likes his off side. or maybe he doesn't like Niku for not being a physically engaging dman. Whatever the reason Niku should say he wants out and won't sign a contract with the Jets next year.

It should be pretty obvious that Maurice doesn't like something about Niku. Maybe it's like you said he likes his off side. or maybe he doesn't like Niku for not being a physically engaging dman. Whatever the reason Niku should say he wants out and won't sign a contract with the Jets next year.
- BWJumper

Total nonsense. No truth to this at all.

What a great loss if any of Sbisa, Dahlstrom, and Bitetto got claimed after Niku is called up.
It should be pretty obvious that Maurice doesn't like something about Niku. Maybe it's like you said he likes his off side. or maybe he doesn't like Niku for not being a physically engaging dman. Whatever the reason Niku should say he wants out and won't sign a contract with the Jets next year.
- BWJumper[/quote]

While you are able to offer good stats on most of your posts, this quote is laughable.

The posters are correct in that you only offer foolish negativity wrapped in stats. Did Maurice tell you he doesn't like Niku?

Listening to Illegalcurve, which I am sure you will say they know nothing, they speak of mgmt. wanting Niku to play top pairing minutes and pp to keep him sharp and lots of minutes for when the injuries occur, which we all know they will happen, happen. And once they happen, up comes Niku. The guy is returning from a groin injury. Maurice doesn't like him,

They didn't say anything about Maurice not "liking him", but maybe you know more.

Total nonsense. No truth to this at all.
- jetsnation

So Maurice likes everything about Niku's game but wont play him because hey they have Sbisa who played 9 games last year. He had no problem inserting Beaulieu who missed a month with injury.

[quote=BWJumper]What a great loss if any of Sbisa, Dahlstrom, and Bitetto got claimed after Niku is called up.
It should be pretty obvious that Maurice doesn't like something about Niku. Maybe it's like you said he likes his off side. or maybe he doesn't like Niku for not being a physically engaging dman. Whatever the reason Niku should say he wants out and won't sign a contract with the Jets next year.
- CharlieDog[/quote]

While you are able to offer good stats on most of your posts, this quote is laughable.

The posters are correct in that you only offer foolish negativity wrapped in stats. Did Maurice tell you he doesn't like Niku?

Listening to Illegalcurve, which I am sure you will say they know nothing, they speak of mgmt. wanting Niku to play top pairing minutes and pp to keep him sharp and lots of minutes for when the injuries occur, which we all know they will happen, happen. And once they happen, up comes Niku. The guy is returning from a groin injury. Maurice doesn't like him,

They didn't say anything about Maurice not "liking him", but maybe you know more.

First off stats are black and white if you don't like what my conclusions are when I use them, then make a counter argument instead of calling it "foolish negativity"

Second my post was pure speculative opinion.

But let's say illegal curve is right and the benefits of more ice time and pp are what management wants. Then why does that apply to a 23 year old dman who won AHL dman of the year 2 years ago, but it doesn't apply to a 19 year old C who gets 6 mins a game in the NHL?

So Maurice likes everything about Niku's game but wont play him because hey they have Sbisa who played 9 games last year. He had no problem inserting Beaulieu who missed a month with injury.
- BWJumper

The current lineup is playing well and winning. Why throw away any one of those guys because every one of them would get claimed and several of them to Western conference teams. Why help them? These D represent decent depth for the Jets and while we have a lineup that is winning the benefits of bringing Niku up do not justify losing some depth for nothing. Also, for the time being, Niku helps the Moose win and put fans in the seats.

Patience Grasshopper, he will get his opportunity and Maurice loves him. Your post was off-base.

ok i'll go first.

not too much to get excited about in that game. We were out worked. Connor/Sheifele/Laine were very good, not so much anyone else.

I miss the old days of hockey when teams valued dirty goals as much as high end end goals. We were not in the face of Werner (who was sharp), and allowed him to make clean saves with few rebounds. We never really seemed to get into a position to even have a chance to create dirty goals. Are we getting complacent with our ability to score the high end goal-scorer's goals and playing with reduced commitment to get the mucker goals?

This game was a good example of a game needing a spark for the Jets to ramp up the emotional commitment. Obviously no fights occurred but there were also no significant hits or charged scrums (a bit of something when Helly was bowled) or even solid shot blocking. This is where the vets like bourque earn their money by having a piece of managing the mental/emotional game.

Heck, the mistakes Ferguson made back then were horrendous. Most Jets draft picks in the mid to late 80's were brutal. Even in the early 80's the only one Ferguson got right was Hawerchuk , but he was a no-brainer anyways. In 1979 we all remember the ridiculous pick of Jimmy Mann over the next pick which was Michel Goulet.....dohhh !. He liked the big tough guys. How about Babych over Coffey or Denis Savard in 1980 or Jim Kyte ahead of Dave Andreychuk in 1982. Ferguson was a horrible GM. He rarely ever took the great skaters with high hockey sense because he never had remotely any of those abilities in his pro-hockey career.
- jetsnation

This guy remembers! Fantastic names, I’m digging out the binders of 80-85 OPC Hockey Card Sets to see who the Jets had cookin!