Anthony Travalgia: Behind Connor Hellebuyck, Jets bounce back in win over Maple Leafs In the first of three against the Toronto Maple Leafs this week, Connor Hellebuyck led the Jets to victory.

Let’s be real, Connor Hellebyuck has been the sole reason this team is where it is at. This with him not even playing his best.

I hope Beaulieau takes his time recovering from injuries as I do not want to see him back in the line-up re-aggravating something. Hoping the big guy gets back in! And, not lost in the irony, this will be another case where a veteran had to get injured in order for Maurice to give a young guy a chance.

Agree with all of this. If Helly isn’t our MVP most nights, we’re hanging around the Sens in the basement (no offence to LB who is great in spot duty). Based on the presser it sounds like the return of Stanley. Hopefully he’s not too rusty and can body Matthews and the other big guns a bit. I wouldn’t be disappointed if it did happen to be Niku, as he was far better in his past 2 outings, but based on Maurice’s pk comment I’d be shocked if it was him.

A long list of draft and develop players that only get a chance to play due to an injury. Hopefully Thompson and Lewis future injuries force Maurice to play some of their draft and develop kids as well.

As long as Chevy keeps signing them, Maurice keeps playing them.

As long as Chevy keeps signing them, Maurice keeps playing them.
- bennythehat

With the Expansion draft on the horizon, the Jets need to expose two forwards and one d-man, who are either RFA's or have a 2021/22 contract - and either played 40 games this season OR 70 games total he last two seasons.

So N. Beaulieu is currently at 63 games total so the Jets should be ok as far as the d-men.

But at forward not sure what they will do? Would think they would have to re-sign Thompson and Lewis for next season to qualify at this spot - or trade for a forward(s) who meets the criteria. If not, guys like Copp or Appleton would have to be exposed, and we certainly don't want that.

Should be okay expansion draft wise in net with Comrie and Berdin, and i believe just need a goalie who is under contract for next season or is an RFA.

Anyone have any more information otherwise on this?

With the Expansion draft on the horizon, the Jets need to expose two forwards and one d-man, who are either RFA's or have a 2021/22 contract - and either played 40 games this season OR 70 games total he last two seasons.

So N. Beaulieu is currently at 63 games total so the Jets should be ok as far as the d-men.

But at forward not sure what they will do? Would think they would have to re-sign Thompson and Lewis for next season to qualify at this spot - or trade for a forward(s) who meets the criteria. If not, guys like Copp or Appleton would have to be exposed, and we certainly don't want that.

Should be okay expansion draft wise in net with Comrie and Berdin, and i believe just need a goalie who is under contract for next season or is an RFA.

Anyone have any more information otherwise on this?
- grahamzky

are these minimum games updates? I thought some of these game amounts were adjusted for the shortened season this year? not sure how that changes things for us though. I'm sure the Jets will try and get Harkins the games, maybe the re sign Perreault to a one year - one mil deal, maybe Lowry gets signed before expansion and exposed?

With the Expansion draft on the horizon, the Jets need to expose two forwards and one d-man, who are either RFA's or have a 2021/22 contract - and either played 40 games this season OR 70 games total he last two seasons.

So N. Beaulieu is currently at 63 games total so the Jets should be ok as far as the d-men.

But at forward not sure what they will do? Would think they would have to re-sign Thompson and Lewis for next season to qualify at this spot - or trade for a forward(s) who meets the criteria. If not, guys like Copp or Appleton would have to be exposed, and we certainly don't want that.

Should be okay expansion draft wise in net with Comrie and Berdin, and i believe just need a goalie who is under contract for next season or is an RFA.

Anyone have any more information otherwise on this?
- grahamzky

found it;
•They played in 27 or more NHL games in 2020-21 OR
•They played in 54 or more NHL games in 2019-20- and 2020-21 combined*

so Harkins for example needs only 12 more games this year

are these minimum games updates? I thought some of these game amounts were adjusted for the shortened season this year? not sure how that changes things for us though. I'm sure the Jets will try and get Harkins the games, maybe the re sign Perreault to a one year - one mil deal, maybe Lowry gets signed before expansion and exposed?
- Ross77

Yea, I was wondering too if some of these game amounts night have been adjusted. I can't find any more info on this.

Good idea on Perreault, rather re-sign him than Lewis and Thompson. Not sure if Harkins will get enough games into counting - depending if they've adjusted the figures.

As it stands now, what's you feeling on the blue-line for Expansion. I would go with Morrissey, Pionk a-n-d ... Stanley. Take my chances with Niku and DeMelo. Know DeMelo is a popular choice, and my feelings may change going down the stretch. We'll see, but will be interesting. A trade may change everything, but don't see a major trade coming.

Expansion changes everything in the trade field for all teams. Can see the Wild, for example, going with 4 and 4, keeping Dumba, but with so many NMC contracts, who knows?

found it;
•They played in 27 or more NHL games in 2020-21 OR
•They played in 54 or more NHL games in 2019-20- and 2020-21 combined*

so Harkins for example needs only 12 more games this year
- Ross77

Oh great, thanks for the information.

That changes things a little, can see Harkins getting some games very soon. Hate to lose him as well, but can't keep everyone.

Beaulieu has already played enough to qualify as the Jets d-man exposed.

Yea, I was wondering too if some of these game amounts night have been adjusted. I can't find any more info on this.

Good idea on Perreault, rather re-sign him than Lewis and Thompson. Not sure if Harkins will get enough games into counting - depending if they've adjusted the figures.

As it stands now, what's you feeling on the blue-line for Expansion. I would go with Morrissey, Pionk a-n-d ... Stanley. Take my chances with Niku and DeMelo. Know DeMelo is a popular choice, and my feelings may change going down the stretch. We'll see, but will be interesting. A trade may change everything, but don't see a major trade coming.

Expansion changes everything in the trade field for all teams. Can see the Wild, for example, going with 4 and 4, keeping Dumba, but with so many NMC contracts, who knows?
- grahamzky

I can see the argument now to protect Stanley based on his unknown potential but id still protect Demelo over him. we have Samberg and Heinola both left shot D, so losing Demelo is a bigger hit to us, as I see it. I like demelo a lot though.

I can see the argument now to protect Stanley based on his unknown potential but id still protect Demelo over him. we have Samberg and Heinola both left shot D, so losing Demelo is a bigger hit to us, as I see it. I like demelo a lot though.
- Ross77

Certainly a good argument good be made to keeping DeMelo. His play has picked up lately.

I would keep Stanley based on potential, whereas I think DeMelo has peaked, but maybe not, d-men develop later. Think the Jets are playing Beaulieu over Stanley, trying to hide Stanley from Seattle but I think that ship has sailed.

But maybe Stanley will soil the bed ( (I hope not) in next several games, if given the chance, and I'll change my mind.

Feel that Josh Morrissey is playing the best hockey he has in over two years, maybe his career. Hope he doesn't change my mind tonight.

Pink and Foprbort have been steady, Pionk very good!

Agree with all of this. If Helly isn’t our MVP most nights, we’re hanging around the Sens in the basement (no offence to LB who is great in spot duty). Based on the presser it sounds like the return of Stanley. Hopefully he’s not too rusty and can body Matthews and the other big guns a bit. I wouldn’t be disappointed if it did happen to be Niku, as he was far better in his past 2 outings, but based on Maurice’s pk comment I’d be shocked if it was him.
- Jetlag

Sorry Jetlag. I can't agree with the statement that Helly has been MVP most nights. He was the other night against the Leafs and in a couple of other games , but overall he has struggled a lot this season with letting in a LOT of bad goals. In close games, several of those bad goals mattered. Broissot has been just as good to be quite honest. So to say The Jets would be with the Sens in the basement is nonesense.

Fellow Winnipegers, whats everyones thoughts on Stanley so far.

I think I've only caught two games with him in the lineup and actually liked his game more than i thought I would (thought that pick was a reach at the time). Getting his 12 mins a night in and out of the lineup with positive possession numbers.

Does Maurice have a problem with Heinola? He should be getting 15 minutes every night.

Fellow Winnipegers, whats everyones thoughts on Stanley so far.

I think I've only caught two games with him in the lineup and actually liked his game more than i thought I would (thought that pick was a reach at the time). Getting his 12 mins a night in and out of the lineup with positive possession numbers.
- lonnyBohonos

I love Logan Stanley

The man does nothing but positively contribute to this team. He’s worked incredibly hard this pandemic and the fruits of his labour are starting to show in his game. The man is a legit top 4 d-man!

Let’s be real, Connor Hellebyuck has been the sole reason this team is where it is at. This with him not even playing his best.

I hope Beaulieau takes his time recovering from injuries as I do not want to see him back in the line-up re-aggravating something. Hoping the big guy gets back in! And, not lost in the irony, this will be another case where a veteran had to get injured in order for Maurice to give a young guy a chance.
- TheUltimateJet

Helle has been fantastic. Not arguing that, but there is a community effort going here. The Jets forwards have been fantastic. Scheiffs is top 5 in scoring, Ehlers/Connor/PLD/Stats/Appleton/Copp are all playing fantastic. Perrault and Wheeler are guys we complain about, regardless the fact that they are putting up solid numbers. Pionk and Forbert look great on the back-end as well.

I think what makes the Jets look bad, is when they are trying to protect a lead. Going into the 3rd whether tied or down, they play fantastic. They might be worst team in the league when attempting to trap, and absolutely hang Helle out to dry when that is the scenario. Maurice just needs to keep that offensive mentality, because the last game was 100% placed on Helle after the Jets took the lead.

Tonight was another example of Helly stealing us a point. Granted Fly was awesome and a few others were quite solid, our d zone was a total dumpster fire. To quote Sawyer on the Jets broadcast “ someone should check to see if there’s Saran Wrap on the net”. The winner by Matthews was filthy, props on that.

Hellebuyck is an absolute stud, he was unbelievable last night.
For sure we don't want to face the Jets in the playoffs, with that kind of goaltending and the skilled forwards you could beat anybody.
Thankfully your defense sucks otherwise you would run away with the division.

Hellebuyck is an absolute stud, he was unbelievable last night.
For sure we don't want to face the Jets in the playoffs, with that kind of goaltending and the skilled forwards you could beat anybody.
Thankfully your defense sucks otherwise you would run away with the division.
- Rang

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.

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

Agreed !
I have to say that performance by Helleybuyck was one of the best I have seen since Dominik Hasek was stealing games for the Sabres they should not have been in

Agreed !
I have to say that performance by Helleybuyck was one of the best I have seen since Dominik Hasek was stealing games for the Sabres they should not have been in
- Rang

He started the season letting in soft goals early in games and shutting the door after, but as of late it's wire to wire. Frankly, exactly what we need to be successful the way our D is deployed and the strange man to man system they run which leads to constant blown coverage and high danger chances against.

Hellebuyck is an absolute stud, he was unbelievable last night.
For sure we don't want to face the Jets in the playoffs, with that kind of goaltending and the skilled forwards you could beat anybody.
Thankfully your defense sucks otherwise you would run away with the division.
- Rang

sadly we have some really good D on the Moose but Maurice would prefer to wait til they are 28 to play them

Tonight was another example of Helly stealing us a point. Granted Fly was awesome and a few others were quite solid, our d zone was a total dumpster fire. To quote Sawyer on the Jets broadcast “ someone should check to see if there’s Saran Wrap on the net”. The winner by Matthews was filthy, props on that.
- Jetlag

I was going to bring up the point about player nicknames as well as nicknames for lines. You just don't hear them as much anymore. I don't consider names like "Wheels " or "Apples' as real nicknames. I'm referring to names like Kenny "the Rat" Linesman or "Magic Man", "Golden Jet" , Silky Sullivan , "Finish Flash" "Moose" Messier, and dozens of others , etc. We need more of those to add some extra character to the NHL.

The same goes for line names. Those have all but disappeared because lines don't seem to stay together very long.

sadly we have some really good D on the Moose but Maurice would prefer to wait til they are 28 to play them
- Ross77

He has Babcock disease. Holl is our 4th best d-man but he was scratched 78 times in a row under Babcock in favour of Nikita Zaitsev