Wesley Peters: Fisticuffs and Special Teams, Jets Dropped by One by Bs

Poolman played?

Poolman played an awesome game..........

The Jets have Morrissey, Pionk and Niku who are offensive d-men and they need to be paired with big, physical stay at home d-men. Poolman is one and Samberg, hopefully he'll sign with the Jets and Maurice will play him, should be a second so whatever happens with Buff should bring the Jets a 3rd one. Soon the Jets can move away from their assorted 6/7 d-men they have been playing all season.

Hi guys. Back from the break. I'm really not one that enjoys speculating on what line combinations might work better or what trades might work. I know lots of guys like playing GM or coach but I'm not one of them. I rarely participate in those discussions.

My take on the Jets since game 20 has been basically similar to what Button said the other day. The defense is just not good enough! I'll also add that I really don't think its the fault of Maurice or Chevy. It just a combination of injuries, the Buff situation, and not being able to attract the available Dmen free agents to Winnipeg , especially when Chevy was unaware of Buff's sudden surprise at training camp.

Injuries IMHO have definitely been the biggest factor in the Jets decline this season. The Jets are the most injured team by about 50 games over Pittsburgh in the NHL this season if Buff is included ( which he should be) . The other team that has the real injury bug is Columbus . There are some links I will provide at the end of this part of my rant. Generally speaking though, its extremely rare for any team that is in the category of the top three most injured to ever make the playoffs. The Jets were in the same top three injury camp in 2016 and just fell shy ( when almost fully healthy at the end of that season they won like 8 straight of something) . I don't ever attribute a highly injured team not doing well on coaching.

Pittsburgh is an odd duck here. I think a healthy Penguins team would be top 6 in the league. They have had to play a lot of games without Crosby and Bjugstad yet are still playing well. The key to analyzing injuries is to look not so much as games missed by team but rather the more important factor of average ice time of the players who are injured. Obviously Buff's 28 minutes a game and Little 18 minutes are sorely missed. Very similar to Pittsburgh actually. When looking at the injury links please keep in mind not to include LTIR's such as Horton etc or early retirements such as Hossa. Those sway the stats a lot. Neither of these links includes Buff's missing 50 games.
BTW...the NHL all-time record is about 530 man games missed. I think it was LAK around 2006 or something. My count has the Jets at about 260 man-games lost to date.

https://twitter.com/ManGa...23028408642408448/photo/1

https://nhlinjuryviz.blog...am-injury-breakdowns.html

Onto the team itself....

I just don't think that Bittetto and Sbisa cut it as NHL defensemen. Beaulieu is just above borderline. A decent defensive lineup, in my opinion, would be Morrissey, Pionk, Niku and Poolman getting lots of ice time. Kulikov ( been playing a lot better) and Beaulieu as the third pairing. Nonetheless, getting a guy like a Dumba is definitely needed to fill in a big void that Buff left, unless Buff himself fills it soon.

Some are going to argue that Niku isn't good enough but I've isolated him while watching the games and he does a lot of things very very well. In particular, he fetches the dump ins quickly and has the ability to retrieve it and turn it up ice very well. His passes are smart and on the tape. Also, his shots are almost always on the net as opposed to so many of the other D who fires it high and wide. He also often rarely makes a defensive error. Compare that to someone like Bitetto and Sbisa who 90% of the time are late to the puck and they just try and bang it off the boards to get it out. Opposing teams are all over that.

Thats enough rant for now. Jets at best will be a wild-card team at this stage. Simply put, this would not be the case if Buff had been in the lineup.

P.S. When is the last time you remeber the Jets getting a "back-door" type goal. Yes, think real hard. Seems other teams do it all the time. Jet's playing that third forward high has its downsides.

Re islansjet - Yes, possible d-corps for next year. Thought the Bruins showed the value of having big guys back there like Carlo and Chara, cleared the crease.

Yes, we need a couple of those for next year. hopefully Samberg is ready and then - ??? - "Mr X?

Hi guys. Back from the break. I'm really not one that enjoys speculating on what line combinations might work better or what trades might work. I know lots of guys like playing GM or coach but I'm not one of them. I rarely participate in those discussions.

My take on the Jets since game 20 has been basically similar to what Button said the other day. The defense is just not good enough! I'll also add that I really don't think its the fault of Maurice or Chevy. It just a combination of injuries, the Buff situation, and not being able to attract the available Dmen free agents to Winnipeg , especially when Chevy was unaware of Buff's sudden surprise at training camp.

Injuries IMHO have definitely been the biggest factor in the Jets decline this season. The Jets are the most injured team by about 50 games over Pittsburgh in the NHL this season if Buff is included ( which he should be) . The other team that has the real injury bug is Columbus . There are some links I will provide at the end of this part of my rant. Generally speaking though, its extremely rare for any team that is in the category of the top three most injured to ever make the playoffs. The Jets were in the same top three injury camp in 2016 and just fell shy ( when almost fully healthy at the end of that season they won like 8 straight of something) . I don't ever attribute a highly injured team not doing well on coaching.

Pittsburgh is an odd duck here. I think a healthy Penguins team would be top 6 in the league. They have had to play a lot of games without Crosby and Bjugstad yet are still playing well. The key to analyzing injuries is to look not so much as games missed by team but rather the more important factor of average ice time of the players who are injured. Obviously Buff's 28 minutes a game and Little 18 minutes are sorely missed. Very similar to Pittsburgh actually. When looking at the injury links please keep in mind not to include LTIR's such as Horton etc or early retirements such as Hossa. Those sway the stats a lot. Neither of these links includes Buff's missing 50 games.
BTW...the NHL all-time record is about 530 man games missed. I think it was LAK around 2006 or something. My count has the Jets at about 260 man-games lost to date.

https://twitter.com/ManGa...23028408642408448/photo/1

https://nhlinjuryviz.blog...am-injury-breakdowns.html

Onto the team itself....

I just don't think that Bittetto and Sbisa cut it as NHL defensemen. Beaulieu is just above borderline. A decent defensive lineup, in my opinion, would be Morrissey, Pionk, Niku and Poolman getting lots of ice time. Kulikov ( been playing a lot better) and Beaulieu as the third pairing. Nonetheless, getting a guy like a Dumba is definitely needed to fill in a big void that Buff left, unless Buff himself fills it soon.

Some are going to argue that Niku isn't good enough but I've isolated him while watching the games and he does a lot of things very very well. In particular, he fetches the dump ins quickly and has the ability to retrieve it and turn it up ice very well. His passes are smart and on the tape. Also, his shots are almost always on the net as opposed to so many of the other D who fires it high and wide. He also often rarely makes a defensive error. Compare that to someone like Bitetto and Sbisa who 90% of the time are late to the puck and they just try and bang it off the boards to get it out. Opposing teams are all over that.

Thats enough rant for now. Jets at best will be a wild-card team at this stage. Simply put, this would not be the case if Buff had been in the lineup.
- jetsnation

I find your comments on Niku particularly interesting.

Lots of d-men I either really like them, like them or don't like, and want them replaced. I just can't get a take on Niku for whatever reason, can't make up my mind - should he stay, or should he go?

That's why I find other opinions, like yours, very interesting. Hopefully I'll eventually think the same as you re Sammy! Seems to certainly to have offensive potential.

But, as you suggest, we need a "Dumba' or two, someone similar to go with the current D.

Poolman played?
- Ross77

Total brain fart! Fixed!

Poolman played an awesome game..........
- CharlieDog

I imagine things...

I find your comments on Niku particularly interesting.

Lots of d-men I either really like them, like them or don't like, and want them replaced. I just can't get a take on Niku for whatever reason, can't make up my mind - should he stay, or should he go?

That's why I find other opinions, like yours, very interesting. Hopefully I'll eventually think the same as you re Sammy! Seems to certainly to have offensive potential.

But, as you suggest, we need a "Dumba' or two, someone similar to go with the current D.
- grahamzky

Remember Niku is usually teamed with Kuikov or Biyetto so he is handicapped right off the start. He's a rookie who has been forced to play up the lineup, with vastly inferior partners and coach that doesn't give him any slack due to his mistrust pf playing young players.

Hi guys. Back from the break. I'm really not one that enjoys speculating on what line combinations might work better or what trades might work. I know lots of guys like playing GM or coach but I'm not one of them. I rarely participate in those discussions.

My take on the Jets since game 20 has been basically similar to what Button said the other day. The defense is just not good enough! I'll also add that I really don't think its the fault of Maurice or Chevy. It just a combination of injuries, the Buff situation, and not being able to attract the available Dmen free agents to Winnipeg , especially when Chevy was unaware of Buff's sudden surprise at training camp.

Injuries IMHO have definitely been the biggest factor in the Jets decline this season. The Jets are the most injured team by about 50 games over Pittsburgh in the NHL this season if Buff is included ( which he should be) . The other team that has the real injury bug is Columbus . There are some links I will provide at the end of this part of my rant. Generally speaking though, its extremely rare for any team that is in the category of the top three most injured to ever make the playoffs. The Jets were in the same top three injury camp in 2016 and just fell shy ( when almost fully healthy at the end of that season they won like 8 straight of something) . I don't ever attribute a highly injured team not doing well on coaching.

Pittsburgh is an odd duck here. I think a healthy Penguins team would be top 6 in the league. They have had to play a lot of games without Crosby and Bjugstad yet are still playing well. The key to analyzing injuries is to look not so much as games missed by team but rather the more important factor of average ice time of the players who are injured. Obviously Buff's 28 minutes a game and Little 18 minutes are sorely missed. Very similar to Pittsburgh actually. When looking at the injury links please keep in mind not to include LTIR's such as Horton etc or early retirements such as Hossa. Those sway the stats a lot. Neither of these links includes Buff's missing 50 games.
BTW...the NHL all-time record is about 530 man games missed. I think it was LAK around 2006 or something. My count has the Jets at about 260 man-games lost to date.

https://twitter.com/ManGa...23028408642408448/photo/1

https://nhlinjuryviz.blog...am-injury-breakdowns.html

Onto the team itself....

I just don't think that Bittetto and Sbisa cut it as NHL defensemen. Beaulieu is just above borderline. A decent defensive lineup, in my opinion, would be Morrissey, Pionk, Niku and Poolman getting lots of ice time. Kulikov ( been playing a lot better) and Beaulieu as the third pairing. Nonetheless, getting a guy like a Dumba is definitely needed to fill in a big void that Buff left, unless Buff himself fills it soon.

Some are going to argue that Niku isn't good enough but I've isolated him while watching the games and he does a lot of things very very well. In particular, he fetches the dump ins quickly and has the ability to retrieve it and turn it up ice very well. His passes are smart and on the tape. Also, his shots are almost always on the net as opposed to so many of the other D who fires it high and wide. He also often rarely makes a defensive error. Compare that to someone like Bitetto and Sbisa who 90% of the time are late to the puck and they just try and bang it off the boards to get it out. Opposing teams are all over that.

Thats enough rant for now. Jets at best will be a wild-card team at this stage. Simply put, this would not be the case if Buff had been in the lineup.

P.S. When is the last time you remeber the Jets getting a "back-door" type goal. Yes, think real hard. Seems other teams do it all the time. Jet's playing that third forward high has its downsides.
- jetsnation

Is Chevy not the one responsible for putting Bitetto and Sbisa on this team? And, somehow it's not his fault? That's a very contradictory stance to take!

Remember Niku is usually teamed with Kuikov or Biyetto so he is handicapped right off the start. He's a rookie who has been forced to play up the lineup, with vastly inferior partners and coach that doesn't give him any slack due to his mistrust pf playing young players.
- islansjet

True dat!

Gut feeling - Jets win in OT!

Is Chevy not the one responsible for putting Bitetto and Sbisa on this team? And, somehow it's not his fault? That's a very contradictory stance to take!
- TheUltimateJet

Funny how people want Chevy to "take a flyer" on someone - then rag on him if it doesn't work out. If he didn't pick up someone off of waivers, I can hear the outcry!

I believe they hoped that Bitetto might be a 7th or 8th d-man, not costing much, but big Buff helped change that plan. Sbisa was worth the gamble. Neither one may, or may not, be back for next season. Probably the former.

Is Chevy not the one responsible for putting Bitetto and Sbisa on this team? And, somehow it's not his fault? That's a very contradictory stance to take!
- TheUltimateJet

Somewhat naive comment. Good Defenseman don't just appear out of thin air. Trades are also incredibly hard to pull off especially when the opposing GM knows your in a sudden pickle. Chevy did the best he could at the time. No one was complaining about those two waiver wire pickups when they were made but rather applauding the fact that they were decent pickups for a Jet's team in sudden need because of Buff's situation,sudden injuries, and freak accidents.

The Jets have Morrissey, Pionk and Niku who are offensive d-men and they need to be paired with big, physical stay at home d-men. Poolman is one and Samberg, hopefully he'll sign with the Jets and Maurice will play him, should be a second so whatever happens with Buff should bring the Jets a 3rd one. Soon the Jets can move away from their assorted 6/7 d-men they have been playing all season.
- islansjet

Sbisa has been a decent stay at home D. Ideally he would be bottom pairing, but has played well with Pionk when required. Plus he can toss his fists on a nightly basis.

Ehlers had been invisible until last night. Happy to see him playing with that edge. The kid has more talent on his pinky finger than most guys in this league possess. He needs to keep that aggressive edge and drive the net more often. His numbers should be way higher than they are.

Anyway, onward and upward to the gritty blues!

Somewhat naive comment. Good Defenseman don't just appear out of thin air. Trades are also incredibly hard to pull off especially when the opposing GM knows your in a sudden pickle. Chevy did the best he could at the time. No one was complaining about those two waiver wire pickups when they were made but rather applauding the fact that they were decent pickups for a Jet's team in sudden need because of Buff's situation,sudden injuries, and freak accidents.
- jetsnation

Well said to both submissions.

Very much disagree with the comments about Sbisa, the guy has been very solid for this team.
Don't care that he was a waiver pick up, he's been good. Some of the Jets better games this season were with Dahlstrom paired with Pionk and a 3rd pair of Sbisa with Beaulieu. Don't give a flying F if a guys a waiver wire pickup or not, if he can play and get the job done then so be it, why they ever sat anyone instead of Bitetto is on the coach. I think a lot of people judge these guys based on how how they were acquired rather then how they actually play. Dahlstrom was a 2nd round pick by the Hawks so obviously someone saw something in him and the Hawks have a great scouting staff, they know what they're doing.

Also Sbisa has been playing through an injury for quite awhile so that's likely affected his play at times.

Bitetto is the weakest member of this defense and it's not even close, if there's any other option they really should be playing and I'm including Schilling on that list of spare dmen that should be dressed instead of Bitetto. Every member of this defense has had their play decline when they've been paired with Bitetto yet Maurice keeps rolling him out there even when he's had other options, it makes no sense.

So it begs the question why is Bitetto even here, apparently he's a real character/personality but is that really why you'd sign a guy, his personality? And no not all #7/8 dmen are the same, the better the player is the better the play/results will be so why sign and play a guy when there's better options out there, gotta guess it's cause they need Bitetto's "character" around the room, how bad is this teams dressing room that they'll dress a guy who's clearly not an NHL player? Gotta wonder what went on last season and how much of it is still lingering this season, I really think it's part of the Buff situation as well.

The aviator jerseys are ugly, burn em!

Very much disagree with the comments about Sbisa, the guy has been very solid for this team.
Don't care that he was a waiver pick up, he's been good. Some of the Jets better games this season were with Dahlstrom paired with Pionk and a 3rd pair of Sbisa with Beaulieu. Don't give a flying F if a guys a waiver wire pickup or not, if he can play and get the job done then so be it, why they ever sat anyone instead of Bitetto is on the coach. I think a lot of people judge these guys based on how how they were acquired rather then how they actually play. Dahlstrom was a 2nd round pick by the Hawks so obviously someone saw something in him and the Hawks have a great scouting staff, they know what they're doing.

Also Sbisa has been playing through an injury for quite awhile so that's likely affected his play at times.

Bitetto is the weakest member of this defense and it's not even close, if there's any other option they really should be playing and I'm including Schilling on that list of spare dmen that should be dressed instead of Bitetto. Every member of this defense has had their play decline when they've been paired with Bitetto yet Maurice keeps rolling him out there even when he's had other options, it makes no sense.

So it begs the question why is Bitetto even here, apparently he's a real character/personality but is that really why you'd sign a guy, his personality? And no not all #7/8 dmen are the same, the better the player is the better the play/results will be so why sign and play a guy when there's better options out there, gotta guess it's cause they need Bitetto's "character" around the room, how bad is this teams dressing room that they'll dress a guy who's clearly not an NHL player? Gotta wonder what went on last season and how much of it is still lingering this season, I really think it's part of the Buff situation as well.

The aviator jerseys are ugly, burn em!
- JetFuel

I'm not really negative on Sbisa attributes vs Bitetto . I like his ability to block shots and lay out a few hits but I am not a fan of his ability to get control of the puck and make intelligent plays in his own zone nor his ability on zone exits. In a few weeks Beaulieu and Buff ? might supplant both ...and if the Jets can start winning some games I really do think Chevy makes a play for Dumba ( who still has 3 more yrs at an aav of a reasonable 6 MM). He's from . Regina so I don't think he'd have a problem being a Jet.

If Jets play .500 hockey over the next 8 games then they will be sellers. Its something not mentioned on here too much. There might be some for Kulikov and Perreault and possibly Lowry but I'm not sure what type of return any of them might demand higher than a second-round pick and maybe something else. Roslovic...I'm not a fan of letting him go. We could get the moon for Buff but other teams might question his desire to play beyond this year.

EDIT: Dreger now saying Buff not playing this year.

For those that missed it, Friedman speculates we will see no Buff resolution this year and it will come in the summer, for whats it worth.

Also, it’s been reported 2 jets scouts are in Ottawa and have been watching the Sens of late. With Demelo in the rumour mill I’ll speculate it’s him. If that’s the case we can not over pay for a rental this year!!! Demelo is a pending UFA, if it’s a 4th or 5th round pick or B prospect, fine, but don’t over pay.

Jets should be done with Buff even if he wants to come back. 35 years old and will not have played a game in 17 months when the preseason starts in September.

I have doubts anyone would want him though at 7.6 million.

For those that missed it, Friedman speculates we will see no Buff resolution this year and it will come in the summer, for whats it worth.

Also, it’s been reported 2 jets scouts are in Ottawa and have been watching the Sens of late. With Demelo in the rumour mill I’ll speculate it’s him. If that’s the case we can not over pay for a rental this year!!! Demelo is a pending UFA, if it’s a 4th or 5th round pick or B prospect, fine, but don’t over pay.
- Ross77

Demelo, a UFA, does anyone really think he could push the Jets into a playoff spot?

Solid game from the third line last night. Looks like we might finally have some good line combinations going. Who needs Perreault? I mean he's a good 4th liner but not at $4.45 MM. Some are going to start saying who needs Lowry ? Maybe become trade bait, may suddenly become a 4th liner with Perreault.

In about 3 weeks the Jets might look like this.....

Connor - Scheif- Laine
Ehlers - Wheeler - Appleton
Harkins - Copp - Roslovic
Perreault - Lowry - Shore ( Little ?)

That's four good and well balanced lines for sure. The defense also could look better in a few games....

Morrissey - Pionk
Kulikov - Niku
Beaulieu - Poolman

BTW....Niku - another great game. His offense is slowly leaking out as his confidence builds. He had 2 assists last night and pretty close to a goal and several other assists. I'd like to see what he can do on that 2nd PP unit but it seems they never have enough time the last two games to get anything started.

Also now that Morrissey is with Pionk you can expect to see some offense come back into either of those players games as they now have a solid backstop in their partner to cover off mistakes.

Solid game from the third line last night. Looks like we might finally have some good line combinations going. Who needs Perreault? I mean he's a good 4th liner but not at $4.45 MM. Some are going to start saying who needs Lowry ? Maybe become trade bait, may suddenly become a 4th liner with Perreault.

In about 3 weeks the Jets might look like this.....

Connor - Scheif- Laine
Ehlers - Wheeler - Appleton
Harkins - Copp - Roslovic
Perreault - Lowry - Shore ( Little ?)

That's four good and well balanced lines for sure. The defense also could look better in a few games....

Morrissey - Pionk
Kulikov - Niku
Beaulieu - Poolman

BTW....Niku - another great game. His offense is slowly leaking out as his confidence builds. He had 2 assists last night and pretty close to a goal and several other assists. I'd like to see what he can do on that 2nd PP unit but it seems they never have enough time the last two games to get anything started.

Also now that Morrissey is with Pionk you can expect to see some offense come back into either of those players games as they now have a solid backstop in their partner to cover off mistakes.
- jetsnation

Probably time to put Niku on the 1st PP unit.

I'm not really negative on Sbisa attributes vs Bitetto . I like his ability to block shots and lay out a few hits but I am not a fan of his ability to get control of the puck and make intelligent plays in his own zone nor his ability on zone exits. In a few weeks Beaulieu and Buff ? might supplant both ...and if the Jets can start winning some games I really do think Chevy makes a play for Dumba ( who still has 3 more yrs at an aav of a reasonable 6 MM). He's from . Regina so I don't think he'd have a problem being a Jet.

If Jets play .500 hockey over the next 8 games then they will be sellers. Its something not mentioned on here too much. There might be some for Kulikov and Perreault and possibly Lowry but I'm not sure what type of return any of them might demand higher than a second-round pick and maybe something else. Roslovic...I'm not a fan of letting him go. We could get the moon for Buff but other teams might question his desire to play beyond this year.

EDIT: Dreger now saying Buff not playing this year.
- jetsnation

There is no trade market for Perreault. With another year at 4.1 m, and with his inability to take any type of bump anymore, I think the only potentiality of moving him would be for another team to take back some salary in some sort of a trade.

Aside from that, I think MP's NHL career is coming to a fast conclusion.

BTW... I think the Jets can win 8 out of the next 11 if they can stay healthy. The worst case is 7 out of 11. If so there will be some difficult decisions come the trade deadline.