Anthony Travalgia: The Winnipeg Jets protect...

Maybe Ron Francis thinks as highly about Niku as some people here do??
(Doubtful)

If I were Chevy I might have tried to get Jake Bean for a 5th and then leave him unprotected. The worst case is you end up with one of Demelo or Bean because Seattle can only protect one. Could have tried the same stunt with Killorn or Gourde.

On one hand, this team can't afford to lose yet ANOTHER quality d-man, on the other, if the price to retain Demelo is similar to what it might be to bring in a better defender, it's a tough position to be in. I hate to lose Appleton, too, but fingers crossed he fits in with the Kraken's plans more readily than Demelo, cuz Appleton's absense is easier to fill.

Perhaps an unpopular opinion as I’m not crazy about Demelo in a top 4 roles as others, but losing a 4 mil a year for three more years provides an opportunity to make a splash in free agency or take on an actual trip 4 via trade.
Demelo looked excellent in the playoffs but his regular season was one extreme to another.
I’d rather lose Demelo than Appleton, And yes I know the defence needs an upgrade, but this could be a great move to free up some dollars and make a great pickup.

Perhaps an unpopular opinion as I’m not crazy about Demelo in a top 4 roles as others, but losing a 4 mil a year for three more years provides an opportunity to make a splash in free agency or take on an actual trip 4 via trade.
Demelo looked excellent in the playoffs but his regular season was one extreme to another.
I’d rather lose Demelo than Appleton, And yes I know the defence needs an upgrade, but this could be a great move to free up some dollars and make a great pickup.
- JetsAvs

How often do we ever make a great pick up in free agency? And I thought Demelo made $3 million a season. (?) Hey, I'm all for your optimism but I'll believe it when it happens. I am with you about Demelo in his role, though . . . Top pairing defender he is not. 4th defender at best.

But with our forward depth and Appleton's role likely never extending beyond the 3rd line, I have to disagree on the preference as to whom Seattle may select. I don't think we'll add significantly enough to mitigate what we lose if they take Demelo. Hope I'm wrong. Please, Chevy. . . . Prove me wrong.

Not only has DeMelo possibly put on some lbs this summer, but see he has grown to be 6'4. Maybe we should have kept him? lol

A la the Leafs, and JetsNation, think it would have been a good idea to offer the Canes a 7th or whatever for Bean, and then we would have had been left with
either Bean or DeMelo. The Krakens could only take one.

I imagine Appleton has the highest value when you compare his production to his contract hit. He scored at just under a pro-rated 20 goal pace in a 3rd line role. He also comes out to $900,000 in salary which is a steal with his production.

Demelo is good but wouldn't we rather see Chevy make a splash a get a legitimate top pair RD and have Demelo take Poolman's 3rd pairing role?

I do think that we are going to be surprised come expansion night, especially if contract talks with Copp don't go as well as we hoped. He publicly announced his audition last year for the 2nd line center position and then we traded Laine for Dubois. Perhaps he gets to player center with another team like his hometown Red Wings which could give him that opportunity. The ideal situation would be to trade Copp to Seattle along with a pick and get a legitimate top 4 RD or LD with term in return and keep both Appleton and Demelo.

i'm probably the only one here that thinks Chevy should just let Seattle take Andrew Copp. He's a great player, don't get me wrong, but it looks like his contract negotiation will be a tough one. Allowing him to be chosen by Seattle will help retain Appleton and DeMelo. Also, Copp going to Seattle opens up a roster spot for Cole Perfetti. Not to mention the extra salary cap room Chevy will have to play with.

i'm probably the only one here that thinks Chevy should just let Seattle take Andrew Copp. He's a great player, don't get me wrong, but it looks like his contract negotiation will be a tough one. Allowing him to be chosen by Seattle will help retain Appleton and DeMelo. Also, Copp going to Seattle opens up a roster spot for Cole Perfetti. Not to mention the extra salary cap room Chevy will have to play with.
- knagra

No, I was with you, but alas, the lists are in. . . If Chevy had any intent on making that happen, he would'vd likely left Copp unprotected.

I was hoping they would just let Seattle take Copp, sucks to see Appleton go, think they'll regret that decision to not protect him, oh well, this team is going nowhere with Dayoff and Maurice anyway.

i'm probably the only one here that thinks Chevy should just let Seattle take Andrew Copp. He's a great player, don't get me wrong, but it looks like his contract negotiation will be a tough one. Allowing him to be chosen by Seattle will help retain Appleton and DeMelo. Also, Copp going to Seattle opens up a roster spot for Cole Perfetti. Not to mention the extra salary cap room Chevy will have to play with.
- knagra

Also agree. Copp is only here for one more year before you can find lots of other equal or better utility type players of his caliber at his asking price. I'm not much of an Appleton fan either but with guys like Killorn, Gourde, Tanev, Rakell, Perry , Neiderreider, Wenneberg, Eberle, Palmeri, etc available, throwing Copp out there would likely result in him not even being picked by the Kraken.

They really galaxy brained themselves into exposing their second best defenceman on a value deal so they could protect a guy Seattle literally has 0 interest in.

I’d rather have Stanley than not, but he kept the tip of his nose above water in a very, very shallow pool.

Perhaps an unpopular opinion as I’m not crazy about Demelo in a top 4 roles as others, but losing a 4 mil a year for three more years provides an opportunity to make a splash in free agency or take on an actual trip 4 via trade.
Demelo looked excellent in the playoffs but his regular season was one extreme to another.
I’d rather lose Demelo than Appleton, And yes I know the defence needs an upgrade, but this could be a great move to free up some dollars and make a great pickup.
- JetsAvs

I agree with this! Looks like both you and I are having Dougie Hamilton dreams.

If I were Chevy I might have tried to get Jake Bean for a 5th and then leave him unprotected. The worst case is you end up with one of Demelo or Bean because Seattle can only protect one. Could have tried the same stunt with Killorn or Gourde.
- jetsnation

If you were Chevy, you would have done nothing! That is Chevy’s MO.

Ask any fan around the league and they will tell you that the Jets defense is a train wreck. I think Demelo was at least better than the average Jets dman but I am not going to get bent out of shape about losing any of this crew.

Demelo came to the jets and immediately paired well with Morrissey. It is no coincidence that when playoffs rolled around they were put back together. Through the season the team was looking for another d-man to emerge and play to a higher ceiling than DD.

Seattle will be looking for gems with upside while having less room for 'safe' choices. Demelo's is a safe choice for them, no real upside exists, salary is fair and puts him on the bubble of being selected. Seattle will also be considering some high priced UFAs, a few high price unprotected players (Price, Quick, Giordana, Gourde, Johannson, Eberle etc) and they could be up against the cap immediately if they choose. They may prefer a younger d on an ELC playing for 1m/year.

I think they will pick up Apples.

I am in no way disappointed that Copp is still around as he has become, arguably, player. He is versatile, durable and progressed every season. He is set to continue a long, successful though unspectacular career.

I hope the next contract can be worked out to keep him a jet past next season, really dont want to lose him at the deadline next year as he is the type of depth we should be picking up and not losing. Worst case we lose him for nothing or trade his rights after the playoffs for a late pick.

I'm glad the Jets had the sense to protect Stanley over DeMelo. This team first needs to improve their lack of having any defensive system, poor breakout, less than physical d-men and d-men that aren't allowed to join the rush before trying to sign a top free agent as he will be saddled with the same problems that face the Jets d-men now. The Jets shouldn't overpay to keep Copp who is at best a bottom 6 forward that Maurice plays above his actual skill level.

I'm glad the Jets had the sense to protect Stanley over DeMelo. This team first needs to improve their lack of having any defensive system, poor breakout, less than physical d-men and d-men that aren't allowed to join the rush before trying to sign a top free agent as he will be saddled with the same problems that face the Jets d-men now. The Jets shouldn't overpay to keep Copp who is at best a bottom 6 forward that Maurice plays above his actual skill level.
- islansjet

I used to be really down on Copp a few years ago. The guy though has definitely grown on me and is definitely a top 9 forward. I think he’s super valuable. I do feel bad for all of us Jets fans that we seem to be the only fan base that keeps referring to our forward group as “top 6”, “bottom 6”, whereas most other fan bases are calling theirs “top 9”, “bottom 3”.

there will be a waive of moves made around the league post expansion when the trade freeze is lifted. I have a feeling and a source telling me about one potential Jets move I know I will loathe and hate with a passion if it comes to fruition. I am already praying each night it doesn't happen. sorry to be open ended but that's all I will say.

Well I know Maurice is convinced Forbort may have found his home in Wpg…… if it’s a Forbort 3 year contract I’ll have lots of tickets to get rid of lol

Well I know Maurice is convinced Forbort may have found his home in Wpg…… if it’s a Forbort 3 year contract I’ll have lots of tickets to get rid of lol
- jjonah

what if i told you this guy may actually be worse than Forbort? lol

Bitetto
Sbisa

He’d have to be digging deep

Well I know Maurice is convinced Forbort may have found his home in Wpg…… if it’s a Forbort 3 year contract I’ll have lots of tickets to get rid of lol
- jjonah

Forbort is a true 7/8 d-man on most teams but Maurice thinks he's a top 2 player and that is why the Jets have so much trouble on their backend.

Forbort was a 1st rd pick (15th overall) because of his size (sorry!)….. then LA Kings realized the goalies were faster skaters

tarasenko was next pick