Our D is a work in progress...haha. If we were somehow able to add an Ekholm type, I think I would bump us to bonafide contenders. Ideally we need a right shot, but a significant upgrade on either side is welcome.
- Jetlag

Stanley needs to be in the lineup instead of Beaulieu (whenever he is off the IR), and Heinola needs to play instead of Demelo. I swear Dylan gave his jersey to his look-a-like cousin who played beer league, because he is nothing like what he used to be.

Jokes aside, I feel the Jets leadership and locker room has never been this strong. Does this mean that the Jets can kick the tires on DeAngelo? Kid was 4th in D scoring last year, and all issues aside, would be the perfect pairing for Jomo at a bargain price. If he is a cancer, his buyout is only 600k, so why not take a chance on the kid? If he is a brutal human, Chevy can simply buy him out, and disgrace the kids name yet again. I don't see why this is not being more seriously discussed.

As a jets fan the game was hard to watch after the first period. the game highlights were Ehlers willingness to shoot and Helle, Helle, Helle. The Jets best zone is the neutral zone where they can transition to offense dangerously quick. The forecheck is a shadow of what it was 2 or 3 years ago and the cycle in the offensive zone is ineffective. Something needs to change in the defensive zone and tinkering with personnel (Heinola/Samberg/Niku/Stanley) is not going to move the needle significantly.

Did anyone else notice what trio got scored on at the end of an extended shift in OT? They need to find a way to get off the ice sooner.

As a jets fan the game was hard to watch after the first period. the game highlights were Ehlers willingness to shoot and Helle, Helle, Helle. The Jets best zone is the neutral zone where they can transition to offense dangerously quick. The forecheck is a shadow of what it was 2 or 3 years ago and the cycle in the offensive zone is ineffective. Something needs to change in the defensive zone and tinkering with personnel (Heinola/Samberg/Niku/Stanley) is not going to move the needle significantly.

Did anyone else notice what trio got scored on at the end of an extended shift in OT? They need to find a way to get off the ice sooner.
- 2.0

Ya, all 3 out for an entire minute. Too tired to decide who wanted to shoot and then nothing left for much of a back check. Scheif did what he could on a nice saucer pass, but would've preferred an earlier change by all 3.

Ya, all 3 out for an entire minute. Too tired to decide who wanted to shoot and then nothing left for much of a back check. Scheif did what he could on a nice saucer pass, but would've preferred an earlier change by all 3.
- Jetlag

i think all the guys on the ice were gassed by that point, Matthews looked like he was skating in mud. But he still has those silky mitts...

i think all the guys on the ice were gassed by that point, Matthews looked like he was skating in mud. But he still has those silky mitts...
- Rang

I just think sometimes, how different the Jets fortunes would have been if we had actually won the 2016 entry draft. We could have gotten Mathews.

Paul Maurice as his coach would have initially started him off as a third line right winger and eventually if he was lucky would have become this teams second line right winger behind Blake Wheeler. Jets fans would have been clamouring for Mathews to be a center and Maurice would be speaking about how Mathews needed to earn his trust prior to him even attempting to play center. Most likely in that scenario, Little would never have gotten injured and also due to Maurice’s undying love of Lowry, Mathews on the Jets would have started as a fourth line center with the upper limit of being Little’s second line right winger.

I just think sometimes, how different the Jets fortunes would have been if we had actually won the 2016 entry draft. We could have gotten Mathews.

Paul Maurice as his coach would have initially started him off as a third line right winger and eventually if he was lucky would have become this teams second line right winger behind Blake Wheeler. Jets fans would have been clamouring for Mathews to be a center and Maurice would be speaking about how Mathews needed to earn his trust prior to him even attempting to play center. Most likely in that scenario, Little would never have gotten injured and also due to Maurice’s undying love of Lowry, Mathews on the Jets would have started as a fourth line center with the upper limit of being Little’s winger.
- TheUltimateJet

We got lucky for sure in getting Matthews, although Laine I think will one day in the right situation get 50 goals if his head is on straight.
Now you have turned Laine into Dubois, and he was dynamite last year in the playoffs on both sides of the puck.
The Jets are the one team in the North division that I'm not certain the Leafs can beat in a 7 game series. Hellebuyck is phenomenal and lots of size and depth up front. If you add a d-man at the deadline you will be tough to beat.

All this talk of what D we need to get is killing me. I would put it at 90% Heinola is already better than all our current D outside of Pionk right now. Our D struggle moving the puck quickly and closing gaps. Just so happen to be what Heinola excels at.

Get this kid in the lineup now!!!!

Now would I be upset about adding Eqholm or Savard, no!! But Heinola should be in to!!!

All this talk of what D we need to get is killing me. I would put it at 90% Heinola is already better than all our current D outside of Pionk right now. Our D struggle moving the puck quickly and closing gaps. Just so happen to be what Heinola excels at.

Get this kid in the lineup now!!!!

Now would I be upset about adding Eqholm or Savard, no!! But Heinola should be in to!!!
- Ross77

You are correct. Stanley on the left, and Heinola on either side is a better option than Beaulieu or Demelo. No arguments there. It is just apparent that something needs to be done to spark/support JoMo. He is really being thrown to the wolves with his pair match-ups and has little support. I'd like to see Heinola thrown into that 1RD slot and see how he does. He is a great player. If not:

DeAngelo is a very low risk to acquire, and buyout if things fail. Jets leadership is far more accountable than the rangers locker room.

Dumba should be on the move unless Minnie actually thinks they are walking out of that conference over Col/Veg/Stl

Ekholm will probably have the highest asking price, simply because they do not have to trade him. There is nothing forcing this move and they will only trade him if a 1st is coming back their way. That scares me, and seems unnecessary as I do like Forbort at the 2LD position with Pionk.

Savard, I don't see him moving the needle a whole lot. If his asking price is no more than a 3rd, its certainly worth looking into. But I don't see him being much of an upgrade.

You are correct. Stanley on the left, and Heinola on either side is a better option than Beaulieu or Demelo. No arguments there. It is just apparent that something needs to be done to spark/support JoMo. He is really being thrown to the wolves with his pair match-ups and has little support. I'd like to see Heinola thrown into that 1RD slot and see how he does. He is a great player. If not:

DeAngelo is a very low risk to acquire, and buyout if things fail. Jets leadership is far more accountable than the rangers locker room.

Dumba should be on the move unless Minnie actually thinks they are walking out of that conference over Col/Veg/Stl

Ekholm will probably have the highest asking price, simply because they do not have to trade him. There is nothing forcing this move and they will only trade him if a 1st is coming back their way. That scares me, and seems unnecessary as I do like Forbort at the 2LD position with Pionk.

Savard, I don't see him moving the needle a whole lot. If his asking price is no more than a 3rd, its certainly worth looking into. But I don't see him being much of an upgrade.
- bikeguy99

I like Demelo a lot. He does everything right and his game
Flies under the radar of how good it is.

I want nothing to do with Deangelo

Dumba would be good to

There are more sellers than buyers at this years deadline so it will be interesting to see prices at the trade deadline this year. Might be lower than expected.

I like Demelo a lot. He does everything right and his game
Flies under the radar of how good it is.

I want nothing to do with Deangelo

Dumba would be good to

There are more sellers than buyers at this years deadline so it will be interesting to see prices at the trade deadline this year. Might be lower than expected.
- Ross77

Heinola comes with high expectations and credentials. Hope he as good as we all hope he can be. If press clippings are correct, we have a dandy.

Nothing to do with DeAngelo what-so-ever!

Dumba would definitely be an up-grade on the D, but not sure Minny want to trade him, they have playoff hopes as well.

The Expansion Draft throws a wrench into everything trade wise. How much to you give up for a player with term - and then risk losing either him or another player that you value a couple of months later?

Really wonder if we'll see many major trades before the deadline due to that fact? Thoughts?

I like Demelo a lot. He does everything right and his game
Flies under the radar of how good it is.

I want nothing to do with Deangelo

Dumba would be good to

There are more sellers than buyers at this years deadline so it will be interesting to see prices at the trade deadline this year. Might be lower than expected.
- Ross77

DeMelo has sucked this season though, was puck watching on one of the Leafs goals the other night, Seattle can have him if they want him.

DeMelo has sucked this season though, was puck watching on one of the Leafs goals the other night, Seattle can have him if they want him.
- JetFuel

He has not completely sucked. Looking as how he has to be paired with Beaulieau, and how Morrissey has been paired with Poolman really shows as to how much a defensive partner matters.

He has not completely sucked. Looking as how he has to be paired with Beaulieau, and how Morrissey has been paired with Poolman really shows as to how much a defensive partner matters.
- TheUltimateJet

DeMelo's sucked for the most part, it's probably just baby brain that's effecting him but whatever it is he hasn't been very good. When moved up with Morrissey this season they really struggled as a pair, he's been better on the third pair I'll give him that, wouldn't be concerned with losing him to Seattle one bit, never should of traded for him to start with imo.

Beaulieu was stuck with a struggling Niku for some games as well, no doubt having a better D partner(or at least a partner who's not struggling)
makes a difference but a lot of Morrissey's struggles are on him and not Poolman.
The other night against Toronto JoMo made some decisions that were all on him and had nothing to do with what his D partner was or wasn't doing, an upgrade on Poolman would likely help but really Morrissey just needs to be better, I defended him in the past but he really needs to get it together soon.

DeMelo has sucked this season though, was puck watching on one of the Leafs goals the other night, Seattle can have him if they want him.
- JetFuel

If you look at possession, shots and chances for and against he is second only to Pionk on the Jets this year.
Demelo is not a points guy so for him you have to look at these things. He has also been paired (forced to carry) Beau for a lot of games this year.

5/6 points against the Leafs. The scoring chances from the slot dropped a lot in game three and it was the Jets that actually had a lot of really good chances and several crossbars. I doubt many Jets fans thought we would walk away with five points.

If I had a few things I think the Jets need to work on it would mainly be these two:

1) They need to employ dropping the puck back the last man back on the PP a lot more. It's much more effective at gaining the zone than their current system.

2) They need to use cycle the puck a lot more in the high zone in and around the blueline while on offense. It's hard to defend and also provides some needed variety to stretch out the defense and avoid the predictable behavior of the down-low cycle.

Such a wonderful Saturday night watching TO lose!

Stanleys reach with his 7 foot long stick is quite disruptive. It sure will be interesting in who is protective and who is exposed.

Does Wpg protect players like Demelo with his term and salary or protect a player like Stanley and let Seattle have Demelo and his salary if they want it. Same with the front end, protect Lowry / Copp or shift to protect someone like Apples who is cheap salary and upward trajectory.

So, protect the obvious players but if there is a cheap alternative like Apples / Stanely that are on a upward trajectory, why not let Seattle get a crack at some of these contracts (Demelo, Copp, Lowry, etc) as Wpg has a replacement pipeline waiting in the wings to get in the game.

5/6 points against the Leafs. The scoring chances from the slot dropped a lot in game three and it was the Jets that actually had a lot of really good chances and several crossbars. I doubt many Jets fans thought we would walk away with five points.

If I had a few things I think the Jets need to work on it would mainly be these two:

1) They need to employ dropping the puck back the last man back on the PP a lot more. It's much more effective at gaining the zone than their current system.

2) They need to use cycle the puck a lot more in the high zone in and around the blueline while on offense. It's hard to defend and also provides some needed variety to stretch out the defense and avoid the predictable behavior of the down-low cycle.
- jetsnation

I thought the first two games you were badly outplayed, but last night you were by far the better team.
Smart move by Maurice to play Broissoit, sub consciously the Leafs are probably thinking this will be easier. I think you won about 75% of the puck battles.
For sure we want nothing to do with you in the playoffs

I like Demelo a lot. He does everything right and his game
Flies under the radar of how good it is.

I want nothing to do with Deangelo

Dumba would be good to

There are more sellers than buyers at this years deadline so it will be interesting to see prices at the trade deadline this year. Might be lower than expected.
- Ross77

I felt the same about Demelo last year. This season he has been horrible. He is not doing the subtle simple things right, and is caught flat footed far more often. Hopefully he regains form, but he is nothing like what he was the past several seasons.

I know there is plenty of resistance on DeAngelo, and rightfully so. However, this guy was 4th among D in scoring, and for the production he brings, easily the cheapest too acquire with a very easy buyout option. I could see him being the spark Jomo needs, and Jets leadership may be enough to keep DeAngelo in check without being a distraction. I'd hate to see the Jets in a position to shed a 1st on a rental again, and DeAngelo would not cost more than a 3rd.

Dumba is my favourite option. His cap hit is fair, yet enough that most teams can't take it one prior to both the expansion draft, and a minimum of 1 more season of flat cap. I think if a Niku+2nd option is enough to get the deal done, do it.

Such a wonderful Saturday night watching TO lose!

Stanleys reach with his 7 foot long stick is quite disruptive. It sure will be interesting in who is protective and who is exposed.

Does Wpg protect players like Demelo with his term and salary or protect a player like Stanley and let Seattle have Demelo and his salary if they want it. Same with the front end, protect Lowry / Copp or shift to protect someone like Apples who is cheap salary and upward trajectory.

So, protect the obvious players but if there is a cheap alternative like Apples / Stanely that are on a upward trajectory, why not let Seattle get a crack at some of these contracts (Demelo, Copp, Lowry, etc) as Wpg has a replacement pipeline waiting in the wings to get in the game.
- Old Flopper

Agreed. Jets will lose a decent, albeit replaceable player. In an ideal scenario, Wheeler and Demelo waive their nmc's, and allow themselves to be exposed. Odds are Seattle passes on those contracts. That way, Connon/Scheiffs/Ehlers/Copp/Appleton/PLD/Harkins are protected, along with Pionk/Stanley/Jomo.

Do you guys think Jomo would be taken if left exposed? He is a rock-solid D, but again, in this climate, he may be more term and cap hit then someone wants to take on for a guy with just 11 points through 27 games while leading the team in TOI. If left exposed, it would probably take only a 3rd rd pick or something to entice them to select another guy and save a ton of cap space....

At 35, how much more mileage does Stats have in the tank?

Everyone including myself wondered if this version vs 2 years ago was still as good. Yet, he seems to be even better in this 2nd landing in Wpg.

Mind you, playing with the line mates he has is quite the positive playing opportunity and could elevate anyones game but at 35, he seems to be still quite effective.

Agreed. Jets will lose a decent, albeit replaceable player. In an ideal scenario, Wheeler and Demelo waive their nmc's, and allow themselves to be exposed. Odds are Seattle passes on those contracts. That way, Connon/Scheiffs/Ehlers/Copp/Appleton/PLD/Harkins are protected, along with Pionk/Stanley/Jomo.

Do you guys think Jomo would be taken if left exposed? He is a rock-solid D, but again, in this climate, he may be more term and cap hit then someone wants to take on for a guy with just 11 points through 27 games while leading the team in TOI. If left exposed, it would probably take only a 3rd rd pick or something to entice them to select another guy and save a ton of cap space....
- bikeguy99

I have often thought the same thing on Wheeler. He waives his NMC for the good of the team. Demelo is less likely to do the same though. Lowry is a UFA. Absolutely no way you expose Jomo. He would be taken in a split second. Your protection list looks pretty accurate as to what I would expect and yes, trading a third to leave someone untouchable like Connor, Ehlers, or Scheif will help as well. Oilers did the same with Gretzky in the NHL entry draft and then snowballed that. Its been the model to follow ever since.

Such a wonderful Saturday night watching TO lose!

Stanleys reach with his 7 foot long stick is quite disruptive. It sure will be interesting in who is protective and who is exposed.

Does Wpg protect players like Demelo with his term and salary or protect a player like Stanley and let Seattle have Demelo and his salary if they want it. Same with the front end, protect Lowry / Copp or shift to protect someone like Apples who is cheap salary and upward trajectory.

So, protect the obvious players but if there is a cheap alternative like Apples / Stanely that are on a upward trajectory, why not let Seattle get a crack at some of these contracts (Demelo, Copp, Lowry, etc) as Wpg has a replacement pipeline waiting in the wings to get in the game.
- Old Flopper

We don't have to worry about Lowry, he is a pending UFA after this season. Of course he could sign an extension before the draft deadline which would change things.

Seattle can sign him, but so can the Jets or any other team. I certainly would protect Andrew Copp.

I agree with you on the blue-line - Stanley is only going to get better. As GM I protect Morrissey, Pionk and Stanley. DeMelo may not be taken anyways or the Jets could slip them a 4th rd'er not to tale him?

Harkins may will be the chosen Jet.

Agreed. Jets will lose a decent, albeit replaceable player. In an ideal scenario, Wheeler and Demelo waive their nmc's, and allow themselves to be exposed. Odds are Seattle passes on those contracts. That way, Connon/Scheiffs/Ehlers/Copp/Appleton/PLD/Harkins are protected, along with Pionk/Stanley/Jomo.

Do you guys think Jomo would be taken if left exposed? He is a rock-solid D, but again, in this climate, he may be more term and cap hit then someone wants to take on for a guy with just 11 points through 27 games while leading the team in TOI. If left exposed, it would probably take only a 3rd rd pick or something to entice them to select another guy and save a ton of cap space....
- bikeguy99

You keep saying this. He does not have a NMC and can be exposed.

If you look at possession, shots and chances for and against he is second only to Pionk on the Jets this year.
Demelo is not a points guy so for him you have to look at these things. He has also been paired (forced to carry) Beau for a lot of games this year.
- Ross77

I trust my eyes, am fully aware he's not a points guy but he's slow and not very big, he's been okay or bad this season, he's not worth using a protection spot in the expansion draft imo.

Such a wonderful Saturday night watching TO lose!

Stanleys reach with his 7 foot long stick is quite disruptive. It sure will be interesting in who is protective and who is exposed.

Does Wpg protect players like Demelo with his term and salary or protect a player like Stanley and let Seattle have Demelo and his salary if they want it. Same with the front end, protect Lowry / Copp or shift to protect someone like Apples who is cheap salary and upward trajectory.

So, protect the obvious players but if there is a cheap alternative like Apples / Stanely that are on a upward trajectory, why not let Seattle get a crack at some of these contracts (Demelo, Copp, Lowry, etc) as Wpg has a replacement pipeline waiting in the wings to get in the game.
- Old Flopper

They should definitely protect Stanley over DeMelo imo, as for the forwards I'm not sure who they protect after the obvious of Scheifele, Wheeler, Ehlers, Dubois and Connor.

The remaining notable forwards that are under contract or are RFA are Copp, Appleton and Harkins, Lowry is a UFA unless re-signed by then, guess you protect Copp and Appleton, personally I think they should make a trade with Seattle to take DeMelo which would free up cap space and keep them away from Berdin and Harkins and would open up a spot for one of the young dmen on the backend.