Peter Tessier: Jets fly past Wild in pre-season win A quick player review after last night's game.

Kerdiles had a nice shot block and I think made another good defensive play. He is a Moose, no doubt.
Petan - didn't show me enough for me to change my mind about him.
Vesalainen - pretty decent game for his first North American Pro game.
Dano - if he did indeed lose 15 lbs since last season, I think that explains why he was press boxed for most of last year.
Stanley - decent game.
Perreault - he was everywhere. Best Jet forward last night.

Stanley looked good but is still a year away. Lemieux looked like he will make a run for a spot on the 4th line. Vesalainen plays a smart game but unless he really stands out in the next few games another year playing on the Moose or in Finland won't hurt him.. Perreault plays hard but still can't score. Brossoit played very well against a watered down Minnesota team so it will be interesting to see how he does near the end of camp against teams with a full NHL lineup.

Was at game ... Brossoit was best Jet ... rust was prevalent throughout and the game picked up through 2nd to 3rd period ... difficult to draw hard conclusions this early

None of the marginal/bubble players impressed ... Petan - what do we do with Petan ? ... the kid was great in junior, produces in the A but he just never seems to impress when he dons the Aviator Blue ... sometimes I think to do the kid a favour you send him on his way ... what is it he's lacking to take the next step ? ... Pistol Pete - you suggest the system ... anyone / everyone - comment on what to do with Petan !

Back to Brossoit - - hope they play him lots in preseason - wanna see more of his play ... he trains and is buddies with Helle and probably thanks the Lord above to get outa Edmonton ... could be quite the steal for $650k ... still early

I think no matter what happens in games, far to many peoples minds are already made up in here on these players, no matter what side of the fence you are on.

Myers
Petan
Lemieux
Stanley
Niku
Dano

And I’m calling out everyone!!
Time to look at these players with fresh unbiased eyes. It’s ok for your opinion to change or even sway a little.

Petan Dano and Lemieux all looked good yet those who hate anyone of these players will advocate against them to maintain their opinion. Not right.

The good:
Brossoit - style of play is a lot like Hellebyuck
Lemieux - played like he needs to if he wants to make the team
Dano - more jump to his game, and a goal
Perreault - looked ready to go
Buff - the man on the ice
Stanley - good positioning, gaps and aggressive. Neidereider had 1/2 a step on him in the third, not enough as he used his reach to steer him out of danger area. Buff helped his game. Will play with the Moose and get a few games with the Jets.

The Bad:
Petan - 3 similar giveaways just on defensive side of center, trying to do too much. These are the things that he needs to show are gone from his game.
Ehlers/Little/Laine - didn't look like a top NHL line playing against a pre-season roster. The line isn't going to hurt us but we can do better.
Niku - unlike others who posted I didn't like his game except on the PP. Bad defensive gaps, not enough good reads
Kerdiles - giveaways in d-zone. was going to put this in ugly but he bailed himself out by making a few blocks

Ugly:
Griffiths - in over his head - it's not his time
& of course The Morrow goal.

The good:
Brossoit - style of play is a lot like Hellebyuck
Lemieux - played like he needs to if he wants to make the team
Dano - more jump to his game, and a goal
Perreault - looked ready to go
Buff - the man on the ice
Stanley - good positioning, gaps and aggressive. Neidereider had 1/2 a step on him in the third, not enough as he used his reach to steer him out of danger area. Buff helped his game. Will play with the Moose and get a few games with the Jets.

The Bad:
Petan - 3 similar giveaways just on defensive side of center, trying to do too much. These are the things that he needs to show are gone from his game.
Ehlers/Little/Laine - didn't look like a top NHL line playing against a pre-season roster. The line isn't going to hurt us but we can do better.
Niku - unlike others who posted I didn't like his game except on the PP. Bad defensive gaps, not enough good reads
Kerdiles - giveaways in d-zone. was going to put this in ugly but he bailed himself out by making a few blocks

Ugly:
Griffiths - in over his head - it's not his time
& of course The Morrow goal.
- 2.0

So...who do we play with Laine and Ehlers ? Best candidate is #55 ? Put Roslovic or Little with Wheeler and Connor ?

So...who do we play with Laine and Ehlers ? Best candidate is #55 ? Put Roslovic or Little with Wheeler and Connor ?
- bennythehat

We don't need to rush into big changes but I think we keep looking for opportunities to get Roslovic in for shifts with Ehlers & Laine and watch for chemistry... ie. Little starts the game with 27&29, Roslovic takes a few shifts with them, after 10 games they reverse roles, game 43 the job is Roslovic's. Connor/Sheif/Wheeler works well, why mess with that when there are still a number of bottom nine (plus a few others) options to tinker with?

I'm thinking its Perreault. You need someone on that line that can do all the digging and forechecking. The dynamic duo can take care of the rest. Roslovic remains an option as the season progresses.

How I would start the season.
Ehlers with Schief and Wheels
Conner Roslovic and Laine those boys want to get paid? Lets see if they can carry a line together and get a real feel for what they can do and what they are worth.
Frenchy Little and the youth that stands out the most
Copp Lowery Tanev

I think no matter what happens in games, far to many peoples minds are already made up in here on these players, no matter what side of the fence you are on.

Myers
Petan
Lemieux
Stanley
Niku
Dano

And I’m calling out everyone!!
Time to look at these players with fresh unbiased eyes. It’s ok for your opinion to change or even sway a little.

Petan Dano and Lemieux all looked good yet those who hate anyone of these players will advocate against them to maintain their opinion. Not right.
- Ross77

My opinion on the following Jets,
Myers will be extended if Trouba isn't signed long term before the draft where Trouba will be dealt if not re-signed.

Petan needs to play at least 2 games between Laine and Ehlers this preseason to see if he can indeed play with good players, if not have him in the press box to start the season and look for a trade.

Lemieux is a bigger more skilled than Copp and Tanev and needs a real opportunity to show what he can do playing with Lowry.

Stanley is one year away and may see some time as a call up from the Moose during the season.

Niku is in tough against Morrow, Kulikov and Poolman. He could make the Jets but Maurice will go with vets.

Dano never got a fair shot (see Petan).

Perreault all hustle no finish. He's holding back more skilled goal scores and packaged with Petan, or Dano, or Kuikov or Copp or Tanev would bring the Jets a high draft pick or a A prospect to a team that needs depth and an upgrade in skill to their team, Montreal come to mind.

Depth is great but when a team likes the Jets draft and develop but they need to know when to promote players that are ready and trade older more expensive players that have been passed by. Good problem to have for the Jets.

I'm thinking its Perreault. You need someone on that line that can do all the digging and forechecking. The dynamic duo can take care of the rest. Roslovic remains an option as the season progresses.
- jetsnation

I don't think Perreault will play center again with the Jets, he's strictly wing unless injuries decimate every other center. He has also shown no chemistry with Laine in the past.

Maybe next exhibition game just swap Roslovic and Little to see what happens. It's exhibition, you're supposed to try things out.

My opinion on the following Jets,


Petan needs to play at least 2 games between Laine and Ehlers this preseason to see if he can indeed play with good players, if not have him in the press box to start the season and look for a trade.


- islansjet

Ugh, if this happens you better hope thy only get OZ starts or they will get caved.

I think no matter what happens in games, far to many peoples minds are already made up in here on these players, no matter what side of the fence you are on.

Myers
Petan
Lemieux
Stanley
Niku
Dano

And I’m calling out everyone!!
Time to look at these players with fresh unbiased eyes. It’s ok for your opinion to change or even sway a little.

Petan Dano and Lemieux all looked good yet those who hate anyone of these players will advocate against them to maintain their opinion. Not right.
- Ross77

I'll start by saying this. The adage by coaches used to be that the message at the exit interviews used to be to put on some bulk if you want to survive in the NHL. With the new faster NHL it now seems to be the opposite. Laine , Dano , and others must have been given the message to get leaner, more fit, and faster. Laine was somewhat slow last year and Dano was probably the slowest Jet out there. The message was handed out to them . Laine of course would still make the roster but for Dano it was losing weight or be gone for good. Seems like he got the message and does look faster out there.

This is what Maurice said about Vesalainen but Ive heard him say it in the past...

" He started to control the puck along the wall. It’s not an easy thing to do and it’s also not something young players, a lot of times, have an understanding of how important that is,” said Maurice. “It happened two or three times tonight. It happened yesterday in practice it started to happen when he got into the offensive zone, started to work. So he can control the puck along the wall in the heavy areas, not a lot of young players want to, there’s some banging involved, nor have the hands to do it. I’ve been pleased over the past two games. He’s a smart player, so playing the higher the level, maybe the easier the game is for him to process."

Take note of this if your wondering which winger on the bubble will make this team. Last year Dano and Petan were brutal at this aspect of the game as well as some defensive awareness. If I was to judge after one pre-season game ( against AHL'ers) which is a poor sample, then I'd say Dano got the message loud and clear and Petan maybe did not. Petan though has much more talent than Dano so lets see how it all plays out over the next two weeks. Lemieux sees to be the best of the three though at grinding on the boards.

Niku made some nice plays but appears to need some more seasoning. Same with Stanley. Myers name should not even be in this discussion. He remains head and toes above everyone else Ross mentioned in the discussion and will remain a top four defenseman like last year.

Petan needs to play at least 2 games between Laine and Ehlers this preseason to see if he can indeed play with good players, if not have him in the press box to start the season and look for a trade.

Dano never got a fair shot (see Petan).


- islansjet

Two statements there that are questionable.

Petan with Laine and Ehlers would be a defensive nightmare. Highly unlikely.

Dano never got a fair shot. A few posters have said that. Seriously, if you are Maurice are you going to play Dano at left over Ehlers, Connor, Lowry, Perreault. Not a chance in hell. Those players have way-way more talent . Its not even close. Tanev is also way better at LW than Dano.

So how does anyone have credibility at all in saying Maurice never gave Dano his chance or Maurice doesn't like Dano. Maurice is a very smart coach and there is no way Dano will be taking one of those spots from much more talented players except under a bad injury situation. Dano is nothing more than a borderline depth NHL player in any organization. Its a fact. To get your chance you need to be better than the player whose roster spot you want to win. Dano is clearly not. Petan is likely not either in an overall perspective although his passing skills and vision are superb.

Two statements there that are questionable.

Petan with Laine and Ehlers would be a defensive nightmare. Highly unlikely.

Dano never got a fair shot. A few posters have said that. Seriously, if you are Maurice are you going to play Dano at left over Ehlers, Connor, Lowry, Perreault. Not a chance in hell. Those players have way-way more talent . Its not even close. Tanev is also way better at LW than Dano.

So how does anyone have credibility at all in saying Maurice never gave Dano his chance or Maurice doesn't like Dano. Maurice is a very smart coach and there is no way Dano will be taking one of those spots from much more talented players except under a bad injury situation. Dano is nothing more than a borderline depth NHL player in any organization. Its a fact. To get your chance you need to be better than the player whose roster spot you want to win. Dano is clearly not. Petan is likely not either in an overall perspective although his passing skills and vision are superb.
- jetsnation

All I’m gonna say is that Dano literally carried an NHL 2nd line for half a season at 19. He’s good, damn good, but Maurice will never see it. Tanev is not better at any position (or any aspect of the game) than Dano, but he skates real fast, so he stays.

So...who do we play with Laine and Ehlers ? Best candidate is #55 ? Put Roslovic or Little with Wheeler and Connor ?
- bennythehat

my answer is you break up 27 and 29 they are actually not that great together.

we need to lose this whole first second third line mentality, if the ice time is equal does it matter if one of them is on your so called third line?

I'm thinking its Perreault. You need someone on that line that can do all the digging and forechecking. The dynamic duo can take care of the rest. Roslovic remains an option as the season progresses.
- jetsnation

all Perreault's good analytics go out the window when he plays center, he actually hasn't played center for a while now and he actually admitted in an interview last year he is better suited for only the wing now.

All I’m gonna say is that Dano literally carried an NHL 2nd line for half a season at 19. He’s good, damn good, but Maurice will never see it. Tanev is not better at any position (or any aspect of the game) than Dano, but he skates real fast, so he stays.
- Rexypoo

Carried a line !....lol . You mean carried the Foligno line with Anisimov ? He was clearly the third wheel beneficiary on that line strictly to boost his stats for a trade. Then Chicago tried him briefly with Hossa and Toews....was a complete failure of an experiment.

Dano is so damn good that no other NHL team even bothered to make him an RFA offer of as little as even $1MM which would have easily gotten him with nothing more than a third-round pick as compensation. I guess every GM in this league must be dumber than you.

I'll start by saying this. The adage by coaches used to be that the message at the exit interviews used to be to put on some bulk if you want to survive in the NHL. With the new faster NHL it now seems to be the opposite. Laine , Dano , and others must have been given the message to get leaner, more fit, and faster. Laine was somewhat slow last year and Dano was probably the slowest Jet out there. The message was handed out to them . Laine of course would still make the roster but for Dano it was losing weight or be gone for good. Seems like he got the message and does look faster out there.

This is what Maurice said about Vesalainen but Ive heard him say it in the past...

" He started to control the puck along the wall. It’s not an easy thing to do and it’s also not something young players, a lot of times, have an understanding of how important that is,” said Maurice. “It happened two or three times tonight. It happened yesterday in practice it started to happen when he got into the offensive zone, started to work. So he can control the puck along the wall in the heavy areas, not a lot of young players want to, there’s some banging involved, nor have the hands to do it. I’ve been pleased over the past two games. He’s a smart player, so playing the higher the level, maybe the easier the game is for him to process."

Take note of this if your wondering which winger on the bubble will make this team. Last year Dano and Petan were brutal at this aspect of the game as well as some defensive awareness. If I was to judge after one pre-season game ( against AHL'ers) which is a poor sample, then I'd say Dano got the message loud and clear and Petan maybe did not. Petan though has much more talent than Dano so lets see how it all plays out over the next two weeks. Lemieux sees to be the best of the three though at grinding on the boards.

Niku made some nice plays but appears to need some more seasoning. Same with Stanley. Myers name should not even be in this discussion. He remains head and toes above everyone else Ross mentioned in the discussion and will remain a top four defenseman like last year.
- jetsnation

my point about Myers was how divided Jets fans are on him overall, not that his job is or should be in jeopardy.

I was surprised to see Petan at center since this organization made a point to move him to the wing last year and when he played with Roslovic on the Moose he was on the wing and they dominated. Petan would have a better shot making the jets on the wing. I think he was being showcased at center for other teams and will be moved within 2 months. I don't like this, he has not been given the proper shot.

I thought Laine and ehlers were awful last night yet they seem to get a free pass

Two statements there that are questionable.

Petan with Laine and Ehlers would be a defensive nightmare. Highly unlikely.

Dano never got a fair shot. A few posters have said that. Seriously, if you are Maurice are you going to play Dano at left over Ehlers, Connor, Lowry, Perreault. Not a chance in hell. Those players have way-way more talent . Its not even close. Tanev is also way better at LW than Dano.

So how does anyone have credibility at all in saying Maurice never gave Dano his chance or Maurice doesn't like Dano. Maurice is a very smart coach and there is no way Dano will be taking one of those spots from much more talented players except under a bad injury situation. Dano is nothing more than a borderline depth NHL player in any organization. Its a fact. To get your chance you need to be better than the player whose roster spot you want to win. Dano is clearly not. Petan is likely not either in an overall perspective although his passing skills and vision are superb.
- jetsnation

this is not remotely true and there is no evidence anywhere to back it up, tanev is not good. he hits softer than a butterfly so the quantity means nothing, he turns the puck over seconds after getting it and blocks shost due to poor positioning and out of desperation. he is carried by lowry and copp. Tanev also produced nothing when with the Moose.

Carried a line !....lol . You mean carried the Foligno line with Anisimov ? He was clearly the third wheel beneficiary on that line strictly to boost his stats for a trade. Then Chicago tried him briefly with Hossa and Toews....was a complete failure of an experiment.

Dano is so damn good that no other NHL team even bothered to make him an RFA offer of as little as even $1MM which would have easily gotten him with nothing more than a third-round pick as compensation. I guess every GM in this league must be dumber than you.
- jetsnation

third round picks have more value than you think, don't forget, no one even drafted tanev and everyone offered him a two way league min deal, when we got him so its not like his market is huge or impressive.

I feel like I should expand on Petan a bit.

I like him and his game but I think there is something with the way Maurice wants to work vs the way Petan thinks. He seems to be hesitant on decisions in certain areas particularly on the rush through neutral zone.

As some have pointed out his play on boards could be an issue too but that’s not what I feel hurts him. I’d like him with better talent but I’d also think the team needs to cut him free if it can’t figure out how to use him.

If I was Benning I’d be calling about him and trying to put him with Leipsic again. Perhaps take Kulikov with him and get some LD depth back. I can dream right?

I feel like I should expand on Petan a bit.

I like him and his game but I think there is something with the way Maurice wants to work vs the way Petan thinks. He seems to be hesitant on decisions in certain areas particularly on the rush through neutral zone.

As some have pointed out his play on boards could be an issue too but that’s not what I feel hurts him. I’d like him with better talent but I’d also think the team needs to cut him free if it can’t figure out how to use him.

If I was Benning I’d be calling about him and trying to put him with Leipsic again. Perhaps take Kulikov with him and get some LD depth back. I can dream right?
- Peter.Tessier

Some players peak much earlier than others and Petan hasn't improved relative to peers since his draft year.

I think the Jets are set up to jettison (pun intended) one of Petan or Dano and Petan is the early favourite to go. I expect to see him waived. No sense wasting time complicating a deal by adding Kulikov, though I wouldn't mind Edler as second line d.

All I’m gonna say is that Dano literally carried an NHL 2nd line for half a season at 19. He’s good, damn good, but Maurice will never see it. Tanev is not better at any position (or any aspect of the game) than Dano, but he skates real fast, so he stays.
- Rexypoo