Peter Tessier: Laine and Connor- what comes next? Is it better to bridge one player, both or go all in together on long term deals?

nice article Pete, funny, even though he has one more year on his RFA deal, I think the Jets will work harder at getting Morrisey inked to a long term deal after July 1rst then Laine and Connor. We have no top four D on a long term deal. this is priority over wingers and will play more into the long term cap and financial thinking. My guess, Morrisey signs 7x7 and it kicks in following next season.

Peter, I want you do an article on Lowry's usage.


Also, please explain to everyone what Wheeler already knows. We are incredibly weak at center. So weak that Wheeler doesn't want to play with anybody but Scheifele. I can see why there is a divide between young and old players. Guys like Laine, Ehlers, Roslovic, etc... are most likely frustrated playing with guys like Lowry and Little, that they are holding resentment towards their captain.

Peter, I want you do an article on Lowry's usage.


Also, please explain to everyone what Wheeler already knows. We are incredibly weak at center. So weak that Wheeler doesn't want to play with anybody but Scheifele. I can see why there is a divide between young and old players. Guys like Laine, Ehlers, Roslovic, etc... are most likely frustrated playing with guys like Lowry and Little, that they are holding resentment towards their captain.
- TheUltimateJet

Are we weak at Center are not giving enough ice time to the guys that deserve it. If Copp and Lowry score more goals than they allow while playing Center how is that bad? The goal is winning, not individual points!!! Copp and Lowry can absolutely be our 2c and 3c but too many fans see them as grinders or bottom 6 guys and wrongly assume you can’t win with them. Wheeler was horrible at Center and yet more fans would like to see that option, it’s baffling to me. The New Jersey devils won 3 cups with no centers.

Laine being traded to NJ.

I think you have to sign Laine long-term now. Sure its a risk, but I think the long-term potential savings make it worth it.

If Chevy can sign Connor and Laine for a combined $15-16 million per year for the long-term, Jets fans will be nominating him for Nobel prize in hockey genius for the next century.

Are we weak at Center are not giving enough ice time to the guys that deserve it. If Copp and Lowry score more goals than they allow while playing Center how is that bad? The goal is winning, not individual points!!! Copp and Lowry can absolutely be our 2c and 3c but too many fans see them as grinders or bottom 6 guys and wrongly assume you can’t win with them. Wheeler was horrible at Center and yet more fans would like to see that option, it’s baffling to me. The New Jersey devils won 3 cups with no centers.
- Ross77

All their cup wins came before 2005. Its a new era with no red line. All the teams outside of the Blackhawks, that have won the cup since 2005 have had 2 legit #1 centers.

Laine being traded to NJ.
- Leniwm1

For Zacha and Hall?

For Zacha and Hall?
- TheUltimateJet

2020 1st, 2020 2nd, Butcher

2020 1st, 2020 2nd, Butcher
- Leniwm1

troll. get real.

more rumours that Pittsburg wants Malkin out of Pittsburg.

https://www.spectorshocke...rumor-mill-april-30-2019/

How would Geno look as Jets 2C (or 1C)?

Similar age and contract to Buff... can something be worked? Prerequisite that you trade Buff to the other conference is in place. I love watching Buff play and when he is on his game he dominates but for a center like Malkin do you make the move? Would each waive the NMC?

more rumours that Pittsburg wants Malkin out of Pittsburg.

https://www.spectorshocke...rumor-mill-april-30-2019/

How would Geno look as Jets 2C (or 1C)?

Similar age and contract to Buff... can something be worked? Prerequisite that you trade Buff to the other conference is in place. I love watching Buff play and when he is on his game he dominates but for a center like Malkin do you make the move? Would each waive the NMC?
- 2.0

It’s all hypothetical... but yeah, if the opportunity came up - you’d have to make that trade. But we’d have to move another salary in that deal. Maybe Little would waive his NMC too.

more rumours that Pittsburg wants Malkin out of Pittsburg.

https://www.spectorshocke...rumor-mill-april-30-2019/

How would Geno look as Jets 2C (or 1C)?

Similar age and contract to Buff... can something be worked? Prerequisite that you trade Buff to the other conference is in place. I love watching Buff play and when he is on his game he dominates but for a center like Malkin do you make the move? Would each waive the NMC?
- 2.0

Here it is, do u even want to consider Malkin? Anyone think he is going to like being in Winnipeg? I have some serious reservations here on Malkin. Typically an a$$hole on one team is an a$$hole on another. This is crazy talk to consider Malkin. I read enough, pass, with a capital "P" BTW, Laine had 48 giveaways according to hockey reference, Trouba 86, Myers 63. Sorry, but please everyone, get off this Malkin thing.

Madden said the Penguins were “very unhappy” with Malkin’s performance and attitude this season. While he averaged over a point-per-games (72 points in 68 contests) he had a team-worst plus-minus of minus-25, a team-high 84 turnovers, and a team-most 89 PIMs, plus his 23 goals were his fewest in a non-lockout year since 2010-11 when a knee injury limited him to 43 games and 15 goals.

The long-time Penguins center was also insubordinate to head coach Mike Sullivan on one documented occasion and shows little willingness to change his game. According to Madden, the Penguins believe a return gained from trading Malkin could be used for a mini-rebuild around team captain Sidney Crosby.

However, Malkin has a full no-movement clause and given no indication he wants to leave Pittsburgh. Madden also doubts the Penguins can get the type of return that would convince them to move the 33-year-old center.

Sign Connor $7 mil for 8 years, and Laine $8.5 mil for 8 years. This gives both of them a chance for 1 more big payday when the contract runs out. If Trouba doesn't sign long term by the draft then sign Myers and trade Trouba for a young #1 center. Depending on the player they get, a #2 center the other team may have to add a draft choice. Trade Perreault, Kulikov and even Little. Hopefully this could force Maurice to play some of the younger, faster and cheaper draft and develop NHL ready kids.

Here it is, do u even want to consider Malkin? Anyone think he is going to like being in Winnipeg? I have some serious reservations here on Malkin. Typically an a$$hole on one team is an a$$hole on another. This is crazy talk to consider Malkin. I read enough, pass, with a capital "P" BTW, Laine had 48 giveaways according to hockey reference, Trouba 86, Myers 63. Sorry, but please everyone, get off this Malkin thing.

Madden said the Penguins were “very unhappy” with Malkin’s performance and attitude this season. While he averaged over a point-per-games (72 points in 68 contests) he had a team-worst plus-minus of minus-25, a team-high 84 turnovers, and a team-most 89 PIMs, plus his 23 goals were his fewest in a non-lockout year since 2010-11 when a knee injury limited him to 43 games and 15 goals.

The long-time Penguins center was also insubordinate to head coach Mike Sullivan on one documented occasion and shows little willingness to change his game. According to Madden, the Penguins believe a return gained from trading Malkin could be used for a mini-rebuild around team captain Sidney Crosby.

However, Malkin has a full no-movement clause and given no indication he wants to leave Pittsburgh. Madden also doubts the Penguins can get the type of return that would convince them to move the 33-year-old center.

- CharlieDog

IDK, former Conn Smythe, Hart, and Art Ross trophy winner on our team. I don't think this franchise since coming to Winnipeg has ever had someone like that. The guy got 40 goals out of James Neal and continually makes players around him better. Would love to see what guys like Connor, Ehlers, and laine do with a center like that.

Imagine the Power Play of Malkin, Wheeler, Scheifele, Laine, and a declining Byfuglien.

Sign Connor $7 mil for 8 years, and Laine $8.5 mil for 8 years. This gives both of them a chance for 1 more big payday when the contract runs out. If Trouba doesn't sign long term by the draft then sign Myers and trade Trouba for a young #1 center. Depending on the player they get, a #2 center the other team may have to add a draft choice. Trade Perreault, Kulikov and even Little. Hopefully this could force Maurice to play some of the younger, faster and cheaper draft and develop NHL ready kids.
- islansjet

The player, I would be targeting to move would be the "Big Dog", Byfuglien. The man is 34 years old and will soon become our version of Brent Seabrook. When I speak about asset management, we are never going to get a larger return for Byfuglien than we will now.

Laine put up 50 points this year, everybody thought he might score 50 goals. If you could get him at what Evander Kane got last summer 7x7 then do it. But I doubt he would agree to that, so bridge him and he can prove this year wasn't a one off. The Jets only have one big contract on the horizon (Morrissey) so they will have the cap space if he proves he is worth 11+ million.

Plus in 2 years there will be a new collective bargain agreement, and the owners always get concessions from the players. So maybe max contract length gets reduced or signing bonuses are limited which would help the Jets.

All their cup wins came before 2005. Its a new era with no red line. All the teams outside of the Blackhawks, that have won the cup since 2005 have had 2 legit #1 centers.
- TheUltimateJet

The game is always evolving, thinking the way a team
Won this year or last as they will it will be forever is fools gold.
Teams adopt and develop way to beat anything. The biggest knock on Maurice this year was his failure to adopt when teams figured out how to beat us. Look at all the playoff teams left this year. Are they really that much stronger than us down the middle? No, they are not. Without looking it up could you name the remaining teams 2nd and third line centers? I doubt it.

The game is always evolving, thinking the way a team
Won this year or last as they will it will be forever is fools gold.
Teams adopt and develop way to beat anything. The biggest knock on Maurice this year was his failure to adopt when teams figured out how to beat us. Look at all the playoff teams left this year. Are they really that much stronger than us down the middle? No, they are not. Without looking it up could you name the remaining teams 2nd and third line centers? I doubt it.
- Ross77

When the one consistency that teams have is two #1 centers, I think its fools gold to try a formula that clearly does not work.

When the one consistency that teams have is two #1 centers, I think its fools gold to try a formula that clearly does not work.
- TheUltimateJet

you mean except this year right? lol

you mean except this year right? lol
- Ross77

Nope.

Sharks, Bruins, CBJ and St. Louis have two centers that could center top lines in the NHL.

When the one consistency that teams have is two #1 centers, I think its fools gold to try a formula that clearly does not work.
- TheUltimateJet

Krejci
Hinz or Faksa
Soderberg
Kuznetzov
Hertl
Sundquist
Nelson
Staal

here is your list of 2nd line centers currently in the playoffs, you honestly think this list is head and shoulders above Little? common!!! some are better, some are worse. my point is your whole have to have centers argument holds no water.

also, Staal in Carlolina is proof that yes, Copp and Lowry can be your 2nd line center

Krejci
Hinz or Faksa
Soderberg
Kuznetzov
Hertl
Sundquist
Nelson
Staal

here is your list of 2nd line centers currently in the playoffs, you honestly think this list is head and shoulders above Little? common!!! some are better, some are worse. my point is your whole have to have centers argument holds no water.

also, Staal in Carlolina is proof that yes, Copp and Lowry can be your 2nd line center
- Ross77

Kuznetsov was eliminated in the first round. The man has also had 2 70+ point seasons in the NHL the last 3 years.

Kreijci is a first line center. Its deployment for him, much like the case that O'Reilly had last year with Buffalo. He consistently makes his line mates better, see - Jake Debrusk.

Did not realize that Hertl superseded Pavelski and Couture and if that's the case they really have depth at center.

Pierre Luc Dubois and Matt Duchene, really you want me to go there?

St. Louis with Schenn and O'Reilly, we just watched them beat our Jets last round.

C'mon Ross, you have to do better that that! And, until Carolina wins a cup, my assessment is accurate.

Kuznetsov was eliminated in the first round. The man has also had 2 70+ point seasons in the NHL the last 3 years.

Kreijci is a first line center. Its deployment for him, much like the case that O'Reilly had last year with Buffalo. He consistently makes his line mates better, see - Jake Debrusk.

Did not realize that Hertl superseded Pavelski and Couture and if that's the case they really have depth at center.

Pierre Luc Dubois and Matt Duchene, really you want me to go there?

St. Louis with Schenn and O'Reilly, we just watched them beat our Jets last round.

C'mon Ross, you have to do better that that! And, until Carolina wins a cup, my assessment is accurate.
- TheUltimateJet

Schenn and o'reily played half the series together, actually you have to better than this!!!
these teams are not winning based on centers, not sure how you cant see that?

I'd like to know what the Winnipeg Jets vision is to win the stanley cup.
They don't play a run and gun system to outscore an opponent. They don't play a sound defensive system to shut down an opponent
The best I think they do is throw a bunch of players together and use hope and prayer for success.