Jacob Billington: Scheifele, Connor, Hellebuyck Help Jets Top Maurice, Panthers; Mailbag Soon

Good roundup Jacob.

I still say we need a better back up, (touch wood), if Helle goes down, then what? He is pretty durable but Rittich is not dependable IMOP.

I hope there is some plan to upgrade this pos'n sometime through the season. Who could be a target?

No points for Wheels but you can see this guys character in playing hard.

Last post was a discussion about trading a Dman, but you can't be trading any of this playing roster D, particularly Dillon, unless something better is coming back. There is no way I would even entertain trading Dillon.

Just some thoughts......

Good read, thanks for the article. Jets have a different feel this year when in the d-zone and their forecheck clearly at times causing opponents problems. Having a top 3 PK is kind of funny when comparing to recent past seasons, but obviously a welcome improvement. It's also very noticeable when the game loosens up and they want to trade chances, like in the middle part of the game last night when the result wasn't assured. It's nice to see the Jets winning games if they're not gonna tank this year.

Jets are playing really well. Hopefully they can keep it rolling. With their current results, it’d
Be very difficult to trade a roster player that’s contributing to the teams current run.

Having said that, two players Jets can certainly entertain trading are Logan Stanley and Villie Heinola. Both are nhl calibre players and have no spot on Jets current line up barring a run of injuries.

Hellebuyck certainly stomped out any chance Florida had last night, especially with how shorthanded Panthers were. Excellent start the season for him.

I was kind of shocked after the review that they only called a slash on Tkachuk (with the early Brendan Dillon run in). It may have been close to major worthy, but the fact it wasn't adjusted to a 4 minute spearing was baffling to me. Clearly Dillon was upset with him and wanted to scrap, but he obviously didn't get the opportunity. I'm curious but pretty sure the league won't take a look at it.

I was kind of shocked after the review that they only called a slash on Tkachuk (with the early Brendan Dillon run in). It may have been close to major worthy, but the fact it wasn't adjusted to a 4 minute spearing was baffling to me. Clearly Dillon was upset with him and wanted to scrap, but he obviously didn't get the opportunity. I'm curious but pretty sure the league won't take a look at it.
- Jetlag

It was called the way it was because he didn’t spear him. Did the blade of the stick ever touch him? Idk, from the replays I saw it didn’t look like it. After reviewing the replay, the refs probably would’ve added two for embellishment to Dillon, if they could’ve. The league “taking a look at it” could result in a fine for Dillon.
Looked like Tkachuk tried to buy a call just before taking the penalty by making it look like he got hit up high by Dillon. Then Dillon really sold the stick work Tkachuk gave him.

I am happy that we beat Uncle Paul! It was nice playing against his defensive systems.

Glad to read your column Jacob but I wouldn't trade Stanley or Heinola but would rather they trade Schmidt or Demelo to get a young, physical 2nd/3rd line player with a lot of upside. The Jets still give up too many shots and are fortunate to have Helly in net.

It was called the way it was because he didn’t spear him. Did the blade of the stick ever touch him? Idk, from the replays I saw it didn’t look like it. After reviewing the replay, the refs probably would’ve added two for embellishment to Dillon, if they could’ve. The league “taking a look at it” could result in a fine for Dillon.
Looked like Tkachuk tried to buy a call just before taking the penalty by making it look like he got hit up high by Dillon. Then Dillon really sold the stick work Tkachuk gave him.
- Ratsreign

I don't mind someone having another take, but in my opinion, that was 100% a genuine getting your monies worth spear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrjaxdMLakI

From behind the players it looks like a blatant nut shot
The other angle shows it wasn’t.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrjaxdMLakI

From behind the players it looks like a blatant nut shot
The other angle shows it wasn’t.
- Ratsreign

This video is different than the feed I saw, but still believe it was a spear. Perhaps in the stomach, maybe in the nuts, total cheap shot. There is no embellishment there from what I see.

I am happy that we beat Uncle Paul! It was nice playing against his defensive systems.
- TheUltimateJet

Turn it over at your own blue line multiple times is his system?
Idk, wasn’t enamored with the hire, but idk if this is on him.
They were down two of their top defensive centers and Gudas was also out last night.
For the season overall so far, they just aren’t putting the puck in the net equal to the chances they create. They make backups look like Vezina winners, while their own goalies are too often leaky.

Turn it over at your own blue line multiple times is his system?
Idk, wasn’t enamored with the hire, but idk if this is on him.
They were down two of their top defensive centers and Gudas was also out last night.
For the season overall so far, they just aren’t putting the puck in the net equal to the chances they create. They make backups look like Vezina winners, while their own goalies are too often leaky.
- Ratsreign

Outside of his one miraculous year (2017-18), this is what we in Winnipeg have been experiencing for the majority of Maurice's time here.

I can't believe it took him quitting to leave the team. If he had not, he would still be here.

Outside of his one miraculous year (2017-18), this is what we in Winnipeg have been experiencing for the majority of Maurice's time here.

I can't believe it took him quitting to leave the team. If he had not, he would still be here.
- TheUltimateJet

The only hire last summer that maybe raised my eyebrows higher was the Jets hiring Bowness, Looking like a great choice for Winnipeg so far.

Outside of his one miraculous year (2017-18), this is what we in Winnipeg have been experiencing for the majority of Maurice's time here.

I can't believe it took him quitting to leave the team. If he had not, he would still be here.
- TheUltimateJet

Exactly!!!

Rising Superstar Tage Thompson having himself a game with Gretzky like numbers. Five goals and an assist after only two periods. WOW !!!

Tage was 26th overall in 2016 by St. Louis. As a reminder Jets drafted Laine 2nd and Logan Stanley 18th. Ooops !

I'm not sure how the Jets lost against Columbus :

Also of note is the growing injury list of NHL stars this season ....some old, some new , some of them longer term : Eichel , MacKinnon, Pietrangelo, Letang, Voracek Barkov Klingberg Landeskog, EHLERS, Werenski, Couturier ( not to mention 6 Dmen on the Leafs) . Just goes to show not to ever bet the salary cap on one or two stars. Better to spread the cap load a bit more evenly.

Rising Superstar Tage Thompson having himself a game with Gretzky like numbers. Five goals and an assist after only two periods. WOW !!!

Tage was 26th overall in 2016 by St. Louis. As a reminder Jets drafted Laine 2nd and Logan Stanley 18th. Ooops !

I'm not sure how the Jets lost against Columbus :

Also of note is the growing injury list of NHL stars this season ....some old, some new , some of them longer term : Eichel , MacKinnon, Pietrangelo, Letang, Voracek Barkov Klingberg Landeskog, EHLERS, Werenski, Couturier ( not to mention 6 Dmen on the Leafs) . Just goes to show not to ever bet the salary cap on one or two stars. Better to spread the cap load a bit more evenly.
- jetsnation

Looks like he can hammer the puck "Laine-ish" according to the highlights.

Looks like he can hammer the puck "Laine-ish" according to the highlights.
- Old Flopper

The difference being that Laine is a fairly one-dimensional player. Thompson is very multi-dimensional. This kid is going to challenge for the Art Ross.

Rising Superstar Tage Thompson having himself a game with Gretzky like numbers. Five goals and an assist after only two periods. WOW !!!

Tage was 26th overall in 2016 by St. Louis. As a reminder Jets drafted Laine 2nd and Logan Stanley 18th. Ooops !

I'm not sure how the Jets lost against Columbus :

Also of note is the growing injury list of NHL stars this season ....some old, some new , some of them longer term : Eichel , MacKinnon, Pietrangelo, Letang, Voracek Barkov Klingberg Landeskog, EHLERS, Werenski, Couturier ( not to mention 6 Dmen on the Leafs) . Just goes to show not to ever bet the salary cap on one or two stars. Better to spread the cap load a bit more evenly.
- jetsnation

Not the point of your post at all, but I do just want to correct one thing here. Pietrangelo is not injured. There is an illness in the family and he stepped away from the team for now

Not the point of your post at all, but I do just want to correct one thing here. Pietrangelo is not injured. There is an illness in the family and he stepped away from the team for now
- Jacob Billington

Agreed. I should have said "not playing " list.

Jets really need to work on their puck possession. I am thinking that getting regularly outshot is eventually going to catch up to them.

Vegas oddsmakers are giving the Jets the best chances at winning the cup this year.

The west is weak and as such this team should be going all-in. Time to trade away some of our higher end prospects and picks in order to stack the current roster for what should be a lengthy playoff run.

We have a Vezina caliber goalie and he is not going to be that way forever. Let’s not be like Montreal with Price or NYR with Lundqvist and not give him a chance at the cup.

GO JETS GO!!!

Vegas oddsmakers are giving the Jets the best chances at winning the cup this year.

The west is weak and as such this team should be going all-in. Time to trade away some of our higher end prospects and picks in order to stack the current roster for what should be a lengthy playoff run.

We have a Vezina caliber goalie and he is not going to be that way forever. Let’s not be like Montreal with Price or NYR with Lundqvist and not give him a chance at the cup.

GO JETS GO!!!
- TheUltimateJet

hey pal, i haven't been in here as much this season, but curious if you've paid Lowry any compliments? he is absolutely playing like a 3rd line center this year, having a career year thus far.

hey pal, i haven't been in here as much this season, but curious if you've paid Lowry any compliments? he is absolutely playing like a 3rd line center this year, having a career year thus far.
- Ross77

Haven’t given him any compliments yet. But I do have to say the new coaching staff has unlocked something in him that I have not previously seen. Same goes for Josh Morrissey.

Paul Maurice really did a horrible job of getting the most out of this team. Makes me sad to think that Chevelallseasonoff wasted 3 years of what could have been something epic here in Winnipeg.