Jacob Billington: Ehlers, Connor, Hellebuyck lead the Jets to 4-3, physical win over OTT

I know your Jets were missing a couple key players. But you barely beat a an AHL team with a couple of prospect forwards. That defense is dreadful. (the SENS D)

The Jets looked slow and uninterested for much of the game. Like a team who's window to win has already passed them by, and who have already accepted defeat for a possible play off spot.

That sort of sums up the entire season for the Jets.

Many posters on this board have been calling for Wheeler and Scheifele to be extricated from this team. Let’s see how much the “defense” improves now that both are not in the line-up, because I can sure tell you that the Jets looked pretty bad in the 3rd period. I am also curious to see where all our offence will come from now. These next 2 games against very subpar opponents will give us some good feedback.

I know your Jets were missing a couple key players. But you barely beat a an AHL team with a couple of prospect forwards. That defense is dreadful. (the SENS D)

The Jets looked slow and uninterested for much of the game. Like a team who's window to win has already passed them by, and who have already accepted defeat for a possible play off spot.
- Octavarium

Strongly disagree with all of this. The Senators have a solid team, and the Jets started the 1st period slow, and were hemmed in for the final 3 minutes, which was just a matter of great pressure by Ottawa. This team's window is arguably closed, yes, but they are not far from contending again. Dubois, Ehlers, Connor and Scheifele are elite top-6 guys, Wheeler is still kind of there, Svechnikov is a great piece to round out that line. One top-six RW away from having one of the better top-sixes in the league.

On defense, Morrissey is a fantastic top-pair guy, and everyone else below him is a for-sure top-4 defenseman on most teams. The coaches, and management are not adapting to the team not working together

Many posters on this board have been calling for Wheeler and Scheifele to be extricated from this team. Let’s see how much the “defense” improves now that both are not in the line-up, because I can sure tell you that the Jets looked pretty bad in the 3rd period. I am also curious to see where all our offence will come from now. These next 2 games against very subpar opponents will give us some good feedback.
- TheUltimateJet

Really? I felt the 3rd period was pretty good, until those last few minutes that was 6-on-5. A few hiccups, on both sides, but I felt it was a good period. I think Wheeler would've thrived in a game like last night, a physical, offensive game. Scheifele going down is rough. Everyone talks about his lack of effort on defense, but nobody praises him for his offensive gifts in comparison. I don't think the Jets will struggle offensively with Dubois, Connor and Ehlers playing so well, but they will definitely miss him.

I sure hope Svetch keeps playing with Connor and PLD but I know when Wheeler comes back they will demote him to the 4th line instead of Barron. This team still needs to improve their d-men and systems which should come with a decent head coach and new assistants. I agree they are not far from contending again next season. Its time to have a look at their draft and develop players to see who can fit in the lineup and then determine what players they need to fill out their lineup. Its funny how good teams are able to replace injures players with players that can fit into the lineup without having to shuffle the entire lineup like the Jets seem to do.

I sure hope Svetch keeps playing with Connor and PLD but I know when Wheeler comes back they will demote him to the 4th line instead of Barron. This team still needs to improve their d-men and systems which should come with a decent head coach and new assistants. I agree they are not far from contending again next season. Its time to have a look at their draft and develop players to see who can fit in the lineup and then determine what players they need to fill out their lineup. Its funny how good teams are able to replace injures players with players that can fit into the lineup without having to shuffle the entire lineup like the Jets seem to do.
- islansjet

I think a new coaching staff is beyond needed. In terms of contending, I don't think they do next season. Use next year to take a planned step back, re-coup a few more higher end picks, and retool the right way. Currently, I think next years lineup could looks something like

Ehlers-Scheifele-Perfetti
Dubois-Connor-Svechnikov
Appleton- x - Wheeler
A combination of Vesalainen, Sanford, Harkins, Toninato, Gustafsson, or a few others to round things out.

Its not a bad team if you don't move on from anybody, it's all about the coaching next year. Need some commitment to direction, too.

Connor-PLD-Svech
- it works, leave it alone
Perfetti-Shief-Ehlers
- unless Shief is moved then Perfetti needs at least half the year at center to see if he can play there
Stastny -Gus- Wheels
-if stastny wants a one year deal, give it to him, if not find a replacement UFA for this spot. but the time is now for two things!!! Gus to play 3rd line center and Wheels to be on 3rd line
-Harkins-Barron- Lowry-Apples
-these are your 4 - 4th line guys, rotate them in and out

Morrisey-demelo - leave it alone
Samberg -?
Heinola - ?

I'd be open to trading any of Pionk, Dillon, Smidt, Stanley. Stanley wont have much value for long so trade him now before the rest of the league and Ultimate, realize he is a #7 guy on any NHL team

Stanley wont have much value for long so trade him now before the rest of the league and Ultimate, realize he is a #7 guy on any NHL team
- Ross77

This one made me chuckle!

If DeMelo is a #2 Dman then the Jets are not a serious team next year

A line of Ehlers, Scheifele, and Perfetti......I would nickname them "The Lying Down On The Ice Line".

If DeMelo is a #2 Dman then the Jets are not a serious team next year
- jjonah

I agree with you and think that the only d-men that the Jets should start the season with are Morrissey, Stanley, Heinola and Samberg. Trade all the other weak, mistake prone ones and get 2 other good players.

If DeMelo is a #2 Dman then the Jets are not a serious team next year
- jjonah

Exactly!

This one made me chuckle!
- Pastor_Matt

Just give the big guy time and he will surprise you. There is just something about Logan Stanley!

I agree with you and think that the only d-men that the Jets should start the season with are Morrissey, Stanley, Heinola and Samberg. Trade all the other weak, mistake prone ones and get 2 other good players.
- islansjet

I'm not too far off on that assessment.

I've always been a big Morrissey fan so I'm glad that this year he is really playing up to his true potential. I've always said he was an All Star and Team Canada candidate. Last year everyone panned him but of course sometimes we forget all the emotional issues he had that would be tough for anyone to get through. It definitely affected his play. He does so much for the community as well. My favourite Jet !

Samberg has really impressed me in the couple fo games he has played. He should start next year. He can easily be a better and faster replacement for Dillon ( who should be traded)

Heinola has shown he can play and also be very good on the PP. Just not sure of the PK yet which hurts his chances of being in the lineup some nights.

Book is still out on Stanley. Maybe by next year he will be fully ready but right now I don't think he is quite there yet.

So this off season I would be more than happy to see two vets on D traded. Most likely it would be good currency to trade DeMelo and Dillon due to cheaper contracts. I don't think we need either of them. Spend the money on one more good tough vet for a second or third line role. I also think Perfetti will be a rising star next year in a similar trajectory as K Connor had.

If DeMelo is a #2 Dman then the Jets are not a serious team next year
- jjonah

DeMelo isn't the #2 D-man though. Just because he is lined up next to Morrissey on the top pair doesn't mean anything.

Prime example is Erik Karlsson and Marc Methot. Meth was never going the be the 2nd best defenseman on the team, but his game complimented EK's penomenally, and he was just a steady, stay at home guy. I think DeMelo is more than capable of being that backup to Morrissey when he jumps up in the play, or makes a risky pinch, and DeMelo, while he isn't the best DFD in the world, he is solid. I would be in favour of keeping him for that top pair, but if you can get an upgrade, great.

DeMelo isn't the #2 D-man though. Just because he is lined up next to Morrissey on the top pair doesn't mean anything.

Prime example is Erik Karlsson and Marc Methot. Meth was never going the be the 2nd best defenseman on the team, but his game complimented EK's penomenally, and he was just a steady, stay at home guy. I think DeMelo is more than capable of being that backup to Morrissey when he jumps up in the play, or makes a risky pinch, and DeMelo, while he isn't the best DFD in the world, he is solid. I would be in favour of keeping him for that top pair, but if you can get an upgrade, great.
- Jacob Billington

Morrissey/DeMelo might be the worst top D pair in the league.

Morrissey is NOT a #1 Dman he’s OUR #1 Dman and that’s a problem.

Not being critical as you need to draft a Chabot, Makar type and keep them or overpay in trade.

Scheifele on his own doesn’t land you a stud Hedman-like Dman, they’re expensive for a reason.


For that reason Jets need to have as many 2,3 and 4 type Dman they can get!

Chabot, Seth Jones, Burns, Werensky, Doughty, Makar, Letang, Toews, Nurse, Hedman, Josi, Hughes, Ekblad, Heisakken, Pieterangelo, Provorov, Mcavoy,Fowler, Fox and Reilly

That’s the top 21 minute eaters on D.

Scheifele doesn’t land you one

Jets are missing this piece

I’d like to see them try to land Provorov or Chycryn but won’t be easy and may not like the price

This Barron kid can skate and seems to move well for a big kid. 6 4 220

Chabot, Seth Jones, Burns, Werensky, Doughty, Makar, Letang, Toews, Nurse, Hedman, Josi, Hughes, Ekblad, Heisakken, Pieterangelo, Provorov, Mcavoy,Fowler, Fox and Reilly

That’s the top 21 minute eaters on D.

Scheifele doesn’t land you one

Jets are missing this piece

I’d like to see them try to land Provorov or Chycryn but won’t be easy and may not like the price
- jjonah

Hmm. I love all of this conversation on the #1D, and above it may have read that I suggested that Morrissey is a #1, but not my intent. Was more saying the pairing with DeMelo rather than the 1D search.

Mailbag question on this?

Chabot, Seth Jones, Burns, Werensky, Doughty, Makar, Letang, Toews, Nurse, Hedman, Josi, Hughes, Ekblad, Heisakken, Pieterangelo, Provorov, Mcavoy,Fowler, Fox and Reilly

That’s the top 21 minute eaters on D.

Scheifele doesn’t land you one

Jets are missing this piece

I’d like to see them try to land Provorov or Chycryn but won’t be easy and may not like the price
- jjonah

What are they worth in your opinion?

If DeMelo is a #2 Dman then the Jets are not a serious team next year
- jjonah

id love to see the Jets add a big name D, just not sure who's available? Demelo is very under rated though, not flashy but doesn't cost us defensively at all

The worth is tough…Letang, Burns and Doughty all aging out and the younger ones expensive. Colorado wouldn’t even listen on a Makar, why would you. Red Wings won’t listen on Mortiz Seider the kid looks amazing.
That said…

Scheifele + Heinola for Provorov and a 2nd ?

Heinola and our 1st for Chycryn ?

I struggle to make a trade work