My take on the Jets this year.
Posted 12:45 PM ET | Comments 0
Although I would not declare myself a regular blogger to the sport of hockey, I felt I should take advantage of what seemed to be a slight monopoly on the discussion of the Winnipeg Jets.
First of all I grew up as a Leafs fan and only have vauge rememberence of the old Jets cruising around in the NHL. But like many other Leaf fans being as disgruntled as we have become, the new Jets seem like an opertunity to follow a team with a clean slate. So with that being said, heres my two cents.
First of all I'll keep it realistic and say that I have very little faith that the Jets will make the post season this year. When it comes down to moved made by the franchise in the off season, the Winnipeg Jets today look to much like the Atlanta Thrashers of last year. With the exception of Eric Fehr (parden me if I butcher anyones name btw, I did not major in spelling while in univerisity) the Jets have seemed to aquire players who seem more bound for St. Johns then they do to Winnipeg. This being said is my primary reason for not believing that the Jets are post season bound.
Second! Some of my concerns about the Jets as they stand today. In the goal tending department Ondrej Pavelec and Chris Mason with a save percent of .914 and .892 respecivly leave me with a questionmark above my head if this is the right duo for Winnipeg. Okay, I'll give Pavelec the benifit of the doubt considering he had some health issues last year that needed sorting out and likly hindered his preformence. However, based on the last 3 years of play where he has been increasing the amount of games he is in net for, there seems to be a reoccuring theme of fewer wins then losses. Now sure maybe its more so a problem of who is infront of the goalie then the goal tender himself. Then again if a "highly over rated goalie like Bryzgalov" can carry a team like the Phoenix Coyotes to the playoffs twice, perhaps goal tending isen't a problem at all.
Third! They is one player whos commitment to the team I have in question which may or maynot become a liability. Perhaps some of you remember some time ago when Quebec City was in the news for reopening its race for an NHL team. If I do recall when it was rumored that the Atlanta Thrashers were a potential candidate for this move, a certain Dustin Byfuglien expressed his discontent for playing in the cold climates of Canada. Now perhaps he was simply just discouraged with playing in a french city which some players have expressed in the past. But if that is not the case and he actually unhappy about playing in a frosty to frozen land, maybe it might be worth thinking about exporting hm for the highest bid if he does not end up fitting in with the geography. (Perhaps for a certian Jonathan Toews would not be all that bad to bring the young lad back home).
Fourth and lastly. Althought unrealistic it would certianly nice to see some of the old guard back in the Peg. Now of course we can't expect Dale Hawerchuk or Thomas Steen to be strapping on their skates anytime soon, but last I checked Mr Selanne who put up an impressive 80 points last year was still a free agent. (However my bubble bursts when he declared that he did not express any interest in leaving Anaheim). Or maybe Shane Doan would even like to play in Winnipeg in the future (considering once in the North West division, he'll be visiting Alberta alot more often putting him much closer to home). However at the age of 34 chances are retirement would come before resigning in the Peg. My point being however either way they would provide a great veteran presence on the ice which would be great for the young team. Which I also feel is critical for the new Jets.
Anyway! I'v ranted long enough. Hope you've enjoyed! Let the throwing of lettuce, cabbage and tomatoes begin!
First of all I grew up as a Leafs fan and only have vauge rememberence of the old Jets cruising around in the NHL. But like many other Leaf fans being as disgruntled as we have become, the new Jets seem like an opertunity to follow a team with a clean slate. So with that being said, heres my two cents.
First of all I'll keep it realistic and say that I have very little faith that the Jets will make the post season this year. When it comes down to moved made by the franchise in the off season, the Winnipeg Jets today look to much like the Atlanta Thrashers of last year. With the exception of Eric Fehr (parden me if I butcher anyones name btw, I did not major in spelling while in univerisity) the Jets have seemed to aquire players who seem more bound for St. Johns then they do to Winnipeg. This being said is my primary reason for not believing that the Jets are post season bound.
Second! Some of my concerns about the Jets as they stand today. In the goal tending department Ondrej Pavelec and Chris Mason with a save percent of .914 and .892 respecivly leave me with a questionmark above my head if this is the right duo for Winnipeg. Okay, I'll give Pavelec the benifit of the doubt considering he had some health issues last year that needed sorting out and likly hindered his preformence. However, based on the last 3 years of play where he has been increasing the amount of games he is in net for, there seems to be a reoccuring theme of fewer wins then losses. Now sure maybe its more so a problem of who is infront of the goalie then the goal tender himself. Then again if a "highly over rated goalie like Bryzgalov" can carry a team like the Phoenix Coyotes to the playoffs twice, perhaps goal tending isen't a problem at all.
Third! They is one player whos commitment to the team I have in question which may or maynot become a liability. Perhaps some of you remember some time ago when Quebec City was in the news for reopening its race for an NHL team. If I do recall when it was rumored that the Atlanta Thrashers were a potential candidate for this move, a certain Dustin Byfuglien expressed his discontent for playing in the cold climates of Canada. Now perhaps he was simply just discouraged with playing in a french city which some players have expressed in the past. But if that is not the case and he actually unhappy about playing in a frosty to frozen land, maybe it might be worth thinking about exporting hm for the highest bid if he does not end up fitting in with the geography. (Perhaps for a certian Jonathan Toews would not be all that bad to bring the young lad back home).
Fourth and lastly. Althought unrealistic it would certianly nice to see some of the old guard back in the Peg. Now of course we can't expect Dale Hawerchuk or Thomas Steen to be strapping on their skates anytime soon, but last I checked Mr Selanne who put up an impressive 80 points last year was still a free agent. (However my bubble bursts when he declared that he did not express any interest in leaving Anaheim). Or maybe Shane Doan would even like to play in Winnipeg in the future (considering once in the North West division, he'll be visiting Alberta alot more often putting him much closer to home). However at the age of 34 chances are retirement would come before resigning in the Peg. My point being however either way they would provide a great veteran presence on the ice which would be great for the young team. Which I also feel is critical for the new Jets.
Anyway! I'v ranted long enough. Hope you've enjoyed! Let the throwing of lettuce, cabbage and tomatoes begin!