Guest Writer: Jets and Panthers Preview

We will see what happens tonite.

On the Moose front, the Jets curiously call up Center Spacek 14 GP, 3G, 4A, 7Pts, 0 +- over Center Harkins 15 GP, 5G, 12A, 17Pts, +6 who is also currently #5 scoring leader of the "A".

Apparently Spacek is the guy playing really well at this point...……..
Hmmm...……..Ok, a bit confusing but...……...


Niku gets another point in another win for the Moose (1.1 PPG at 10 games) and the Birdman chalks up another win and improves his stats to 7 6 .919.

I often don't see any logic to the players that Maurice choices to ice and the combinations he plays. It must be a frustrating to be a young draft and develop player who knows it's almost impossible to get a fair chance at playing on the Jets. I worry that Samberg will see this and wait his way into free agency after his college season is over.

Former Jets captain Andrew Ladd is on waivers. Amazingly when the Jets signed Little, they learned no lessons from the Ladd ordeal.

We will see what happens tonite.

On the Moose front, the Jets curiously call up Center Spacek 14 GP, 3G, 4A, 7Pts, 0 +- over Center Harkins 15 GP, 5G, 12A, 17Pts, +6 who is also currently #5 scoring leader of the "A".

Apparently Spacek is the guy playing really well at this point...……..
Hmmm...……..Ok, a bit confusing but...……...


Niku gets another point in another win for the Moose (1.1 PPG at 10 games) and the Birdman chalks up another win and improves his stats to 7 6 .919.
- CharlieDog

Its clear that Maurice does not like Niku. Bealieau was injured and when he got healthy, he was inserted into the line-up right away. Niku has been healthy now for much longer than Bealieau and still cannot crack the line-up. It completely baffles me as to why the Jets are afraid to lose Bealieau and Bitteto to waivers.

Maybe there is something in their games I am missing.

Its clear that Maurice does not like Niku. Bealieau was injured and when he got healthy, he was inserted into the line-up right away. Niku has been healthy now for much longer than Bealieau and still cannot crack the line-up. It completely baffles me as to why the Jets are afraid to lose Bealieau and Bitteto to waivers.

Maybe there is something in their games I am missing.
- TheUltimateJet

I disagree that liking hasn't anything to do with this call up or Niku not being called up. So by that rationale, if he doesn't like Harkins or Niku, then he likes someone else better. I think there are lots of psychological aspects to coaching, not sure if liking someone is part of it.

Here is what Illegal curve says: For those curious why Jansen Harkins wasn’t recalled (current Moose scoring leader, CCM/AHL Player of the Week last week) my thought is that if Spacek is being recalled to be the 13th forward then Harkins is better off playing top line minutes with the Moose. If Harkins can maintain his current level of play he’ll earn a recall sooner rather than later.

This is also a good way to incentivize Spacek with a taste of the NHL. It could provide him with some added motivation in the final year of his entry-level contract.

I can buy into that theory.

Having Spacek in the press box while keeping Harkins playing is understandable. Keeping Niku on the Moose instead of taking a shift with the Jets is not.

Niku has played 7 straight games now. It's obvious he is over whatever ailed him and his conditioning should be up to par. So if Maurice viewed him as a better option than Poolman or Sbisa right now he would be playing for the Jets.

Furthermore on Harkins:
GP G A Pts +/-
2017-18 Moose AHL 46 2 11 13 3
2017-18 Icemen ECHL 6 2 4 6 6
2018-19 Moose AHL 70 15 16 31 -2
2019-20 Moose AHL 15 5 12 17 6

Harkins is on his 3rd year of ELC. 17/18 spent time in the "E". So, off to a good start, is the breakout year for Harkins at 22y/o? Can he keep it going?

Same goes for Spacek, 3rd year of ELC and had better numbers than Harkins in the "A" but seems to have had a slower start this year.
GP G A PTs +/-
2017-18 Manitoba Moose AHL 70 17 21 38 -6
2018-19 Manitoba Moose AHL 74 10 31 41 -7
2019-20 Manitoba Moose AHL 14 3 4 7 0

6 of one, half a dozen of another? Who knows, the season is still young.

Having Spacek in the press box while keeping Harkins playing is understandable. Keeping Niku on the Moose instead of taking a shift with the Jets is not.

Niku has played 7 straight games now. It's obvious he is over whatever ailed him and his conditioning should be up to par. So if Maurice viewed him as a better option than Poolman or Sbisa right now he would be playing for the Jets.
- BWJumper

Listen, I totally agree that Niku should be and hopefully will be playing with the big club soon. Last year, Poolman got hurt early, made the trip to Finland and never made it back to the big club, and Niku stayed with the big club. This year, it is a complete reversal for the two with Niku getting hurt and not getting back to the big club, yet anyways.

Realistically, do the Jets even have a legit #1, 2, or 3 Dman? Maybe Morrisey teamed up with Trouba last year was a legit 1-2 pairing but Trouba was not the PP quarterback like Buf would be. So, let's say that Morrisey is our #1, Pionk is our #2 but would they be a 1-2 on any other team? Maybe Morrisey would be up there but the fact is, we are thin, thin, thin on D.

Who is our #3, Kulikov? Dear heavens, he is a 5-6-7 anywhere else. So, the Jets D is a hot mess.

Yes, I agree, Niku should be up. There, I said it. Now can someone please contact Maurice and verify that he does not like Niku, Harkins, Petan, Dano, who am I missing?

Guys. This is not rocket science. Spacek was a late cut in camp and Maurice will give those guys who worked hard in camp, and whose game he liked , the first crack at an opportunity. Harkins belongs on a scoring line ( plus big time minutes on the Moose) and Spacek is bigger and much better suited to the role he will play with the Jets, which is fourth line (and maybe some PK) .

As for Niku, I've explained already. The Jets do not want to lose the current depth just yet at the expense of bringing Niku up. I have seen Maurice say several times that there are a couple of players on the Moose the are lineup worthy on the big team but their chance will come. Niku is one of those. Maurice likes Niku's game so its just a matter of timing.

BTW....Poolman has played great of late. He has been a bright spot on D lately and is taking his game and offensive capabilities to a new level. No need to pan him as he has been a pleasant surprise.

P.S. Welcome Alyssa. Keep up the good work.

It took a while longer than I predicted, but another Rexy favourite is pretty much toast - Kovalchuk.

Guys. This is not rocket science. Spacek was a late cut in camp and Maurice will give those guys who worked hard in camp, and whose game he liked , the first crack at an opportunity. Harkins belongs on a scoring line ( plus big time minutes on the Moose) and Spacek is bigger and much better suited to the role he will play with the Jets, which is fourth line (and maybe some PK) .

As for Niku, I've explained already. The Jets do not want to lose the current depth just yet at the expense of bringing Niku up. I have seen Maurice say several times that there are a couple of players on the Moose the are lineup worthy on the big team but their chance will come. Niku is one of those. Maurice likes Niku's game so its just a matter of timing.

BTW....Poolman has played great of late. He has been a bright spot on D lately and is taking his game and offensive capabilities to a new level. No need to pan him as he has been a pleasant surprise.

P.S. Welcome Alyssa. Keep up the good work.
- jetsnation

If the concern is losing Biteto and Beaulieau on waivers, than I am questioning the sanity of Jets management!

I stick by the theory that Niku did something to upset Maurice and that is why he is not playing for the big club! Essentially, Maurice is "Petanning" Niku!

It took a while longer than I predicted, but another Rexy favourite is pretty much toast - Kovalchuk.
- bennythehat

As is Trouba! The guy will be bought out by the Rangers in two years. Trouba is getting more offensive zone starts than ever at 60% and having his worst possession year at 33%. I said last year, Trouba is overrated, like I am saying Lowry is now.

Trouba will be most likely playing for Tampa Bay or Florida in 2 years like other Rangers buyouts like Yandle, Girardi and Shattenkirk.

Listen, I totally agree that Niku should be and hopefully will be playing with the big club soon. Last year, Poolman got hurt early, made the trip to Finland and never made it back to the big club, and Niku stayed with the big club. This year, it is a complete reversal for the two with Niku getting hurt and not getting back to the big club, yet anyways.

Realistically, do the Jets even have a legit #1, 2, or 3 Dman? Maybe Morrisey teamed up with Trouba last year was a legit 1-2 pairing but Trouba was not the PP quarterback like Buf would be. So, let's say that Morrisey is our #1, Pionk is our #2 but would they be a 1-2 on any other team? Maybe Morrisey would be up there but the fact is, we are thin, thin, thin on D.

Who is our #3, Kulikov? Dear heavens, he is a 5-6-7 anywhere else. So, the Jets D is a hot mess.

Yes, I agree, Niku should be up. There, I said it. Now can someone please contact Maurice and verify that he does not like Niku, Harkins, Petan, Dano, who am I missing?
- CharlieDog

We will see CharleDog. I figure Niku only gets to play if Poolman or Pionk goes down to injury.

If the concern is losing Biteto and Beaulieau on waivers, than I am questioning the sanity of Jets management!

I stick by the theory that Niku did something to upset Maurice and that is why he is not playing for the big club!
- TheUltimateJet

So true UJ. I mean lets play out the situation then. Poolman is hurt misses 3 weeks. Niku comes up plays great like everyone thinks he will. Well then what happens when Poolman comes back. They have to put someone on waivers anyways, or are they just going to send Niku back down?

If the concern is losing Biteto and Beaulieau on waivers, than I am questioning the sanity of Jets management!

I stick by the theory that Niku did something to upset Maurice and that is why he is not playing for the big club! Essentially, Maurice is "Petanning" Niku!
- TheUltimateJet

I dunno, sounds like a conspiracy theory...…………………….....................…………...Ancient Astronaut theorist.....say Yes!

We will see CharleDog. I figure Niku only gets to play if Poolman or Pionk goes down to injury.
- BWJumper

Pionk is lot more durable than I thought he would be. I know he is not playing a heavy game and its early in the season but I am pleasantly surprised that he hasn't went down yet with the amount of minutes being played.....touch wood.

I guess it might help having 4 or 5 brothers rough housing when you are growing up.

I dunno, sounds like a conspiracy theory...…………………….....................…………...Ancient Astronaut theorist.....say Yes!
- CharlieDog

I do know this, in every work place its not necessarily the most talented people that get to the top, sometimes its those who are the best talking a good game. Maurice is an example of someone who talks a good game. It does not appear that Niku can match him in that category.

Pionk is lot more durable than I thought he would be. I know he is not playing a heavy game and its early in the season but I am pleasantly surprised that he hasn't went down yet with the amount of minutes being played.....touch wood.

I guess it might help having 4 or 5 brothers rough housing when you are growing up.
- CharlieDog

Pionk is slippery and doesn't take much heavy contact. Self preservation and I'm sure the brothers 'mentored' him in this.

A few reporters asked the Niku questions today and Maurice's answers were right in line with my theory. I don't doubt a few of these reporters read this thread because often their questions fall right in line.

Niku will be up soon, he likes his play but the situation with the Jets current eight D-men doesnt make it possible right now. His comment that " we don't need a ninth defenseman right now" falls in line with the fact that they don't want to expose anyone to waivers right now.

Sometimes the call-up depends on the need for a right shot vs a left shot .....

Sometimes the call-up depends on the need for a right shot vs a left shot .....
- bennythehat

Niku seems to be able to play both sides, but better on the right side.

I was jealous towards Colorado last game while watching the brilliance of Cale Makar who will almost surely win the Calder this year. Great asset for them for the next 8 years and will only get better. This game against Florida its the same jealous feeling while watching Mike Matheson of whom I have said several times over the last few years would be a been a great fit for the Jets and may have been expendable in previous years. Oh Well.

Sometimes the call-up depends on the need for a right shot vs a left shot .....
- bennythehat

Of the Jets 9 defensemen only 2 (Pionk,Poolman) shoot right. That would make Niku 7th on the depth chart for left shot defense.

Great game today by generational passer , Patty Laine. He could have easily had several more assists on some rather nifty passes.

Mark Scheifele is amazing!!! I was supposed to fly out to Florida to watch the game tonight. Too bad things didn’t pan out. It would have been nice to meet Scheifele’s parents. They should come to all of his games. Once I found out they were going to be there, I knew that Scheifele was going to have a BIG game.