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The Winnipeg Jets won 37 games last season, and the franchise hasn't won more than that since 2006-2007 in Atlanta, the last -- and only -- time that they have reached the playoffs.

 

Off-Season Game Plan looks at a Jets team that has an interesting core, a new coach and a problem between the pipes.

Many of Winnipeg's core players are in their twenties, in and around their prime years, so while that's reason for optimism, it's also reason for some urgency to take advantage of the kind of production being provided by the likes of Andew Ladd, Blake Wheeler and Dustin Byfuglien.

 

Byfuglien is an interesting case for the Jets, having shifted from defence to forward part way through last season. While Big Buff is an effective winger, his preference is to play defence, which might make him appealing as a trade candidate for other clubs that are willing to accomodate that desire.

 

But, if Byfuglien sticks around, the Jets have a quality group of forwards, with potential to be really good if Evander Kane and Mark Scheifele continue to develop. Their defence isn't as strong, overall, without Byfuglien, but Jacob Trouba's strong rookie season was encouraging. Basically, the Jets have a competitive group of skaters. Not great, necessarily, but competitive.

 

Then, it comes to goaltending, and that appears to be the area that needs fixing, only GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has backed Ondrej Pavelec as the team's starting goaltender going into next season. Maybe that's the stance that a GM has to take with a guy under contract for three more seasons, but his performance has been crippling to the Jets' playoff chances and if he starts 50-plus games again next season, that is a serious roll of the dice that the Jets are taking with a goaltender that has finished with a league average save percentage once in five NHL seasons.

 

The Jets did fare better under new head coach Paul Maurice, going 18-12-5 in the last 35 games, but that was largely due to favourable percentages and their possession stats only improved slightly over that span.

 

They are close enough to contend for a playoff spot next season, with a couple of savvy moves this summer and further development from young players, but if they don't do something to upgrade in goal, it may all for naught.

 

The TSN.ca Rating is an efficiency rating based on per-game statistics including goals and assists -- weighted for strength (ie. power play, even, shorthanded) -- Corsi, adjusted for zone starts, quality of competition and quality of teammates, hits, blocked shots, penalty differential and faceoffs. Generally, a replacement-level player is around a 60, a top six forward and top four defenceman will be around 70, stars will be over 80 and MVP candidates could go over 90. Sidney Crosby finished at the top of the 2013-2014 regular season ratings at 87.12.

 

Salary cap information all comes from the indispensable www.capgeek.com.

CF% = Corsi percentage (ie. percentage of 5-on-5 shot attempts), via www.extraskater.com.

GM/COACH
 

Kevin Cheveldayoff/Paul Maurice

Returning Forwards Player Rating GP G A PTS CF% Cap Hit Dustin Byfuglien 77.01 78 20 36 56 50.4% $5.2M Blake Wheeler 75.85 82 28 41 69 49.9% $5.6M Evander Kane 74.81 63 19 22 41 51.5% $5.25M Bryan Little 74.61 82 23 41 64 52.9% $4.7M Andrew Ladd 73.59 78 23 31 54 52.9% $4.4M Mark Scheifele 66.91 63 13 21 34 48.6% $863K Jim Slater 57.45 27 1 1 2 49.6% $1.6M Eric Tangradi 57.40 55 3 3 6 53.8% $675K Anthony Peluso 54.84 53 2 3 5 45.6% $563K

Free Agent Forwards Player Rating GP G A PTS CF% Class '13-'14 Cap Hit Michael Frolik 68.98 81 15 27 42 53.0% RFA $2.333M Olli Jokinen 64.17 82 18 25 43 49.2% UFA $4.5M Devin Setoguchi 63.46 75 11 16 27 48.8% UFA $3.0M Matt Halischuk 58.07 46 5 5 10 44.5% RFA $650K Chris Thorburn 57.18 55 2 9 11 43.3% UFA $867K James Wright 53.76 59 0 2 2 47.7% RFA $650K

Shifted to forward at the end of his run by since-departed coach Claude Noel, Dustin Byfuglien appears to be set for that spot again next season. That presumes that Byfuglien doesn't get moved in the summer, which is always a possibility, but also operates under the premise that the Jets are better with Byfuglien at forward. Byfuglien, individually, had a 51.7% Corsi percentage before he was moved to forward and 48.0% after.

 

That aside, in 32 games at (mostly) forward, Byfuglien had 10 goals, 12 assists and 102 shots on goal. On a per-game basis, those numbers would have placed him with pretty nice company last season. It's a little interesting that the bottom name on that list is Brent Burns, the Sharks' winger who also used to play defence.

 

Over the past three seasons, Blake Wheeler has 174 points, which ranks 22nd in the league over that span and last year's 50 even-strength points was tied for 13th in the league with David Krejci and Thomas Vanek. Wheelers is big and can move, which allows him to create mismatches depending on what gives him the advantage on a particular defender.

 

Evander Kane uses his terrific speed to generate shots at an elite level, but has been a relatively low-percentage finisher. Some of that is due to not getting first-unit power play time and, even at even-strength, could use better linemates to help him out. That doesn't absolve Kane of any responsibility for his production, which has dipped since scoring 30 goals in 74 games in 2011-2012, but there's still a lot to like about what he brings to the game.

 

After scoing 23 goals and a career-high 64 points, there is a case to be made for Bryan Little as an advanced stats All-Star as one of a handful of players to face top-tier competition, start more shifts in the defensive zone and still have a relative Corsi over plus-10 per 60 minutes. The common perception of Little might be that he's a good second-line centre but the 26-year-old is coming off a season in which he was a full-fledged No. 1 pivot.

 

Team captain Andrew Ladd has scored 98 goals over the past four seasons, ranking 24th in that span. He's a reliable two-way player that can be used in any situation and he is, averaging 19:46 per game in four seasons with the franchise.

 

Mark Scheifele had rounded into form, with 12 goals and 29 points in the last 39 games he played before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Considering that Scheifele managed five points in his first 24 games last season, and had his Corsi percentage rise from 46.7% to 49.7% over those splits, counts as positive indications that he could fulfill the second-line centre role going forward.

 

A sports hernia cost Jim Slater two-thirds of last season, and he's mustered a grand total of two goals and four points in 53 games over the past two seasons. While he's hit double-digits in goals three times in his career, Slater has also missed at least a dozen games in six of nine seasons, so it's getting difficult to count on him, even in a fourth-line role.

 

Though he has a paltry 15 points in 136 career games, big winge Eric Tangradi held his own in a depth role last season, putting up positive possession stats. As an inexpensive fourth-line option, the Jets could do worse.

 

Like most forwards that play less than six minutes per game, Anthony Peluso can't risk playing too many minutes, lest he be exposed. He's a scrapper who can handle the big boys, though, so as long as the Jets are going to leave a roster spot for that role, Peluso can fill it. At the same time, they could probably do without.

 

26-year-old Michael Frolik established that he hasn't completely forgotten how to create offence, scoring 42 points, his most since 2009-2010. He's still a low-percentage finisher, but a versatile forward who can play both ends of the rink.

 

A couple years removed from a career-best 28-point season, Matt Halischuk has been battling to keep a regular spot in the lineup and, last season, he was overrun in possession terms. He's a viable fourth-line forward, but also one that could quickly be replaced.

24-year-old James Wright has good size, but there isn't much else justifying his place on an NHL roster. Last season, he was one of eight forwards since 2000-2001 to play at least 500 minutes and not register a single goal.

 

The Jets have a solid core of forwards, but can use a couple of top-nine forwards to effectively take spots of unrestricted free agents Olli Jokinen and Devin Setoguchi. Given the free agent alternatives at centre, the Jets could be okay doing a short-term deal with Jokinen and then find a solid checking forward, like Blake Comeau, Jesse Winchester or Daniel Winnik could round out the group nicely.

Returning Defence Player Rating GP G A PTS CF% Cap Hit Jacob Trouba 71.45 65 10 19 29 49.0% $894K Grant Clitsome 67.12 32 2 10 12 51.7% $2.067M Tobias Enstrom 66.89 82 10 20 30 50.6% $5.75M Zach Bogosian 63.37 55 3 8 11 49.4% $5.143M Mark Stuart 61.70 69 2 11 13 47.6% $2.625M Paul Postma 58.59 20 1 2 3 47.4% $713K

Free Agent Defence Player Rating GP G A PTS CF% Class '13-'14 Cap Hit Adam Pardy 57.93 60 0 6 6 53.7% UFA $600K Keaton Ellerby 57.48 51 2 4 6 48.0% RFA $735K

 

One of the reasons that the Jets might have felt able to move Byfuglien to forward was the emergence of Jacob Trouba, who recovered from a neck injury and led the Jets in ice time following the Olympic break, averaging 23:33 per game. A 20-year-old who can skate, hit and contribute offensively, Trouba will have more responsibility heaped on him, but he has the makings of a No. 1 on the blueline.

 

Back surgery ended Grant Clitsome's season early, but he was logging nearly 20 minutes a night, with positive possession stats at the time of his injury. Clitsome can move the puck and play a solid game, though he's never played more than 63 games in an NHL season, so there's still some unknown regarding his performance over the course of a full season.

 

While Tobias Enstrom's offensive production dipped to a career-low 0.37 points per game last season, he still delivered relatively steady play while facing tough competition. He's small, but mobile and his ability to move the puck is important to the Jets' defence.

Zach Bogosian hasn't really made the mark that was expected when he was drafted third overall in 2008 and, on top of being bitten by the injury bug -- he's missed 70 games over the past four seasons -- Bogosian hasn't been able to successfully lock into a shutdown role. That's the objective, but there is still some unexplored potential in the 23-year-old's game.

 

A rugged veteran, Mark Stuart combined for 389 hits and blocked shots last season, ranking third among defencemen (behind Cody Franson and Radko Gudas), so there's no denying that he lays his body on the line. He also tends to spend more of his time in the Jets' end of the ice, though last season he was taking on tougher matchups, playing more minutes once Byfuglien moved up.

Paul Postma hasn't been able to hold down a regular spot in the lineup, playing 57 career games and while he has some puck skills and a big shot that suit him on the power play, Postma struggled at even-strength last season.

 

Between Postma, Keaton Ellerby and pending unrestricted free agent Adam Pardy, the Jets had a battle for playing time at the bottom of the defence depth chart. Ellerby could take on more minutes if Pardy departs, but that may just mean a more regular turn in the lineup.

 

The wildcard could be top prospect Joshua Morrissey, who is a fast-rising offensive defenceman. If he makes the club, that could raise the group's ceiling.

Returning Goaltender Player Rating GP W L OTL GAA SV% Cap Hit Ondrej Pavelec 60.64 57 22 26 7 3.01 .901 $3.9M

Free Agent Goaltender Player Rating GP W L OTL GAA SV% Class '13-'14 Cap Hit Al Montoya 68.70 28 13 8 3 2.30 .920 UFA $601K

 

Over the past three seasons, Ondrej Pavelec has cost the Jets approximately 45 goals compared to the league average, according to Hockey Reference's Goals Saved Above Average measure. It's one thing to be at the bottom of the league in save percentage and another to continually get played at a starter's workload. The Jets have invested money in Pavelec, but it's really had to rationalize him in a starter's role, especially if the team considers itself ready to contend for a playoff spot.

 

There may be challenges to getting rid of Pavelec, not least of which is that Cheveldayoff has said that Pavelec will be the No. 1 goalie next year, but he also may not be particularly appealing to other teams with the Jets paying half of his salary.

 

Given how much it has been a problem lately, though, the Jets have to investigate opportunities to upgrade their goaltending. A trade for Manitoba native James Reimer could work, or signing a free agent like Jonas Hiller, Brian Elliott, Ray Emery or Tomas Vokoun could be worthwhile.

Top Prospects Player Pos. Team/League Stats Joshua Morrissey D Prince Albert (WHL) 28-45-73, +6, 59 GP Nicolas Petan C Portland (WHL) 35-78-113, +47, 63 GP Adam Lowry LW St. John's (AHL) 17-16-33, -1, 64 GP Eric Comrie G Tri-City (WHL) 2.57 GAA, .925 SV%, 60 GP Scott Kosmachuk RW Guelph (OHL) 49-52-101, +52, 68 GP Andrew Copp C Michigan (Big 10) 15-14-29, +1, 33 GP Connor Hellebuyck G UMass-Lowell (HE) 1.79 GAA, .941 SV%, 29 GP J.C. Lipon RW St. John's (AHL) 9-32-41, even, 72 GP Brenden Kichton D St. John's (AHL) 10-38-48, +8, 76 GP Julian Melchiori D St. John's (AHL) 1-10-11, +19, 50 GP Eric O'Dell C St. John's (AHL)

17-25-42, +9, 42 GP

 

The 13th pick last summer, Joshua Morrissey had an outstanding year in Prince Albert. If the Jets are willing to live with the mistakes of a smart, teenaged offensive defenceman, then Morrissey (who has six points in eight AHL playoff games) could be a viable challenger for an NHL job as a 19-year-old.

 

An undersized playmaker, Nicolas Petan was a second-rond pick last summer and has been tearing up the WHL for the past couple seasons. Between regular season and playoffs, he's tallied 289 points (in 176 games) and while size may be an issue, the only way to find out if it's going to pose a problem is to wait and see how he does at the next level.

 

A 6-foot-5 winger-turned-centre, Adam Lowry completed his first pro season and is probably not far from challenging for a spot in Winnipeg. The third-round pick from 2011 picked up his play after Christmas, scoring 28 points in his last 43 regular-season games.

One of the game's better goaltending prospects, Eric Comrie was a second-round pick in 2013. He struggled in a couple of AHL games at season's end, but had a tremendous season in the WHL. He's also only 18-year-old, so it's going to take time before he's the answer to the Jets' goaltending questions.

 

Drafted in the third round in 2012, Scott Kosmachuk has improved steadily throughout his junior career and had a monster year with a powerhouse Guelph team in the OHL. He can make the jump to the AHL next season to see if his scoring will come to the pro game with him.

 

A solidly-built centre who was picked in the fourth round last year, Andrew Copp is making quick progress, coming off a strong sophomore season at Michigan while also putting up five points in five games at the World Juniors for Team USA.

 

There's not much more that Connor Hellebuyck can do in college to raise his profile. Through two years at UMass-Lowell, Hellebuyck has a .946 save percentage and a dozen shutouts. He's signed with the Jets and might be expected to start in the American Hockey League, but if he keep stopping pucks, there should be room for him.

 

An aggressive winger picked in the third roudn last summer, J.C. Lipon had a solid pro debut and wasn't shy about it, leading the Ice Caps in penalty minutes with 136.

 

Not the biggest blueliner on the block, Brenden Kichton was initially a fifth-round pick of the Islanders, was not signed, and then was drafted in the seventh-round by Winnipeg in 2013. A heady player who can quarterback a power play, Kichton ranked sixth among AHL defencemen in points as a rookie pro.

 

A third-round pick in 2010, Julian Melchiori is a big, stay-at-home defenceman who has missed time with injuries in each of his first two pro seasons.

 

Eric O'Dell turns 24 this summer, which puts him on the older side as a prospect but, in addition to scoring 97 points in 101 AHL games over the past two seasons, he also played 30 games for the Jets last season (3 G, 4 A, 51.0 CF%) so he's able to contribute now.

Jets advanced stats and player usage chart from Extra Skater

 

DRAFT
9th - Nick Ritchie, Nikolaj Ehlers, Jake Virtanen, Haydn Fleury

 

FREE AGENCY
According to www.capgeek.com, the Jets have approximately $49.9M committed to the 2013-2014 salary cap for 16 players.

Check out my possible Jets lineup for next season on Cap Geek here.

 

Needs: Two top nine forwards, one top four defenceman, goaltenders.

What I said the Jets needed last year: Two top six forwards, two top nine forwards, one top four defenceman, goaltender.

They added: Michael Frolik, Mark Scheifele, Devin Setoguchi, Jacob Trouba.

TRADE MARKET
Dustin Byfuglien, Evander Kane

 

i'd probably debate if kane scheif wheeler is our number 1 line, i'd say its ladd little frolik actually.

If Ladd-Little-Frolik is out number 1 line, we're in trouble.

 

That's our number 2 LW, our number 2 centre and our number 3 RW.

 

Kane - Scheif - Wheeler is #1 across the board.

Actually when you look at the final 4 of this year's NHL playoffs (elite teams) you can easily make the case either of the Jets so-called 1 or 2 lines would be 2b to 3 lines on those four teams! So we can fool ourselves to think we've got #1 lines but in reality when confronted by superior checking they're just frustrated players who can't get the job done!

I think our top six is good.  I mean sure, I'd love to have a line-up where our 3rd line is something like Ladd-Richards-Frolik (and even then, Richards is a 4th liner in LA right now, is he not?) but our top six is good with the potential to be great.  Wheeler is a legit top line guy and Kane is a legit top line guy who has the potential to be an all-league top line guy.  Scheif is the X factor and looked like a top line centre but needs to play the entire season in that role.

 

Ladd-Little-??? is also a question mark.  When Wheeler is on the RW, I think thats a legit second line on most teams (especially on teams that dont have a lot of defined 1, 2, 3 etc, but just roll wave after wave of quality).  We need a top six RW.  Frolik fit in there and could continue to do so but ideally, he's a really really good 3rd line RW.  I know Buff has been pencilled in there but it seems most people forget Maurice flipped Buff to LW and he seemed to play even better.  So in reality, we have a "glut" at LW and are lacking at RW though I guess Buff ends up in the RW spot.

 

Thats why Buff should be traded, to be honest.  He just doesnt fit the needs of this team and yet is such a talented, unique player that has specific skills that *do* fit the needs of other teams.  And as someone on HF Boards stated, when the Jets are in a position to compete, do we want a 29 year old Buff?  Absolutely.  Do we want a 33 or 34 year old Buff?  Not really. 

Ladd is the x-factor on the Jets imho. He's a great team guy, good interview, great in the room (according to reports), durable and he can score 2nd or 3rd line goal production. However, he's plodingly slow, his decision-making in the neutral zone is suspect and he takes more than his fair share of stupid penalties. I think his above average production is boosted by always playing with the best players (ie. Wheeler, Little, Kane). 

Team Canada didn't even want any part of him when they sent that 'B' or 'C+' squad to the worlds. One would think a guy with Ladd's superior resume would have been welcome on that squad.

I think Ladd had a poor stretch where he took bad penalties but Im not sure I'd hang that around his neck as a constant.  He's a very smart player with a strong effort.  And he can certainly score top line goal numbers.  Its also true that line combinations are more than just putting the top three point getters on one line etc.  But generally speaking, if Andrew Ladd is your top LW, then you have a depth problem.  If Bryan Little is your top centre, you have a depth problem.

 

Chevy has done a good job through trades, waiver wire and drafting to address depth but it continues to be a problem though every season it improves.

 

Im not sure if O'Dell will be a regular.  I know Gary Lawless considers him a permanent bubble player, in that no-mans land between being too good for the A and not quite good enough for the NHL.  But you need guys in the A that can fill in on the big club and then go back down.

 

I'd like to see Adam Lowry make the Jets this year.  Ideally, if Klingberg can push for a spot and if Telegin comes back, our depth is much better. 

 

If our 4th line is Halishchuk - Slater - ??? (Peluso), its a step in the ring direction.  I'd like to see Lowry and Klingberg push for 3rd line minutes on the Jets.  I know Lowry converted to centre but it might be asking a lot for him to fill that role initially.

 

I dont think Chevy has a choice but to be active.  And I think there is a decent chance we trade a core member.  Chevy said there were deadline day offers that were sufficient to require ownership input.  If those sorts of offers came in on deadline day, there be better deals to be had on draft day.

I like the prospects we have drafted and think the team should stay patient and keep buff and jokinen.

If the team can trade pav they should but who would take him?

 

i'd probably debate if kane scheif wheeler is our number 1 line, i'd say its ladd little frolik actually.

If Ladd-Little-Frolik is out number 1 line, we're in trouble.

 

That's our number 2 LW, our number 2 centre and our number 3 RW.

 

Kane - Scheif - Wheeler is #1 across the board.

 

If I looked at those players individually and not as a set, other teams, depending on their needs, may see Little as a 1st line centre, Ladd as 2nd to.3rd line left winger and Frolik predominatly a strong 3rd line right winger. I'm not giving Frolik much love but too inconsistent for me. Based on limited information, out of all the three, I think Ladd wins (Little a close second) for the intangibles he brings off the rink (e.g., Leadership, community work, hard working, comfortable to be around etc) 

 

Team Canada didn't even want any part of him when they sent that 'B' or 'C+' squad to the worlds. One would think a guy with Ladd's superior resume would have been welcome on that squad.

Or he wanted to be home with his newborn.  How incredibly selfish.

bleacher report (pretty reliable) is reporting the bruins are shopping marchand and the jets are interested. 

 

Buff to boston for marchand and a pick? 

Marchand interests me a lot. He's the ultimate rat. Don't know how a rat would fit into a new group of guys, thats the only problem. I know he had more goals than Mighty Kane so he not only can agitate he can be downright productive. Thats enticing. But I'd want Boston's 1st and 3rd rd picks, too. 

 

P.S. What line would you team Ratchand with? Certainly not Kane!!!

Marchand interests me a lot. He's the ultimate rat. Don't know how a rat would fit into a new group of guys, thats the only problem. I know he had more goals than Mighty Kane so he not only can agitate he can be downright productive. Thats enticing. But I'd want Boston's 1st and 3rd rd picks, too. 

 

P.S. What line would you team Ratchand with? Certainly not Kane!!!

I know i said buff, but i'd suspect that kane would actually be the guy moving in that deal, so essentially the lw marchand replaces the lw kane.

 

Marchand interests me a lot. He's the ultimate rat. Don't know how a rat would fit into a new group of guys, thats the only problem. I know he had more goals than Mighty Kane so he not only can agitate he can be downright productive. Thats enticing. But I'd want Boston's 1st and 3rd rd picks, too. 

 

P.S. What line would you team Ratchand with? Certainly not Kane!!!

I know i said buff, but i'd suspect that kane would actually be the guy moving in that deal, so essentially the lw marchand replaces the lw kane.

 

OK, then I'd go for Marchand and B's 1st round pick (28th or 29th overall) and maybe one of the B's developmental players (goalie or stay at home d-man). The ironic thing is that Kane will continue to be a flunky should he stay in Wpg but only gets better if he's traded to a major program.

Im not sure about KANE, eventually you have to show more than just potential, he's been in the league a few years, is he a good player? i guess, can he be a very good player? probably but im not sure the dedication or heart is there completely. I'm not convinced kane is this can't miss prospect anymore, i think he is what he is and he might get a bit better but im not sure how much better he will get actually.

Im not sure about KANE, eventually you have to show more than just potential, he's been in the league a few years, is he a good player? i guess, can he be a very good player? probably but im not sure the dedication or heart is there completely. I'm not convinced kane is this can't miss prospect anymore, i think he is what he is and he might get a bit better but im not sure how much better he will get actually.

The Jets have to fish or cut bait on Kane. If he goes another year as Jets top mope he won't fetch a 3rd or 4th rounder. Now is the time to get somethin' for the guy and trade him to another conference. I think Kane fans are truly in the minority for the first time.

 

Im not sure about KANE, eventually you have to show more than just potential, he's been in the league a few years, is he a good player? i guess, can he be a very good player? probably but im not sure the dedication or heart is there completely. I'm not convinced kane is this can't miss prospect anymore, i think he is what he is and he might get a bit better but im not sure how much better he will get actually.

The Jets have to fish or cut bait on Kane. If he goes another year as Jets top mope he won't fetch a 3rd or 4th rounder. Now is the time to get somethin' for the guy and trade him to another conference. I think Kane fans are truly in the minority for the first time.

 

I don't think so actually. Kane is a good player, he actually is, his numbers and corsi says he is... go check out hfboards.com

 

Kane is very much a well liked player here and most those "nerds" don't want to trade him. 

 

I'd say it's probably 75/25 in favour of keeping kane.

you guys are idiots. Kane has already hit the 30 goal plateau, he's shown what kind of player he is. 

you guys are idiots. Kane has already hit the 30 goal plateau, he's shown what kind of player he is. 

Then call me 'Gomez'.....

 

you guys are idiots. Kane has already hit the 30 goal plateau, he's shown what kind of player he is. 

Then call me 'Gomez'.....

 

I prefer to stick with idiots or *******.

I agree, 17to85, Kane is a lot better player than some think.

Just for the record, i do think Kane is a good player, i'm just not sure he has the character the jets are looking for, i'm not sure he's worth the headache that he brings at times.

 

I'm not in the locker room so i don't know what he's like as a team mate but... IF the players on the team don't like the guy, there is no real indication they do or don't, just saying if they don't, it's probably best to get rid of him.

 

and really, for all we know, kane has asked to be traded.

 

If the guy dont want to be here, it's best to move on.

The rumour has been Kane for Marchand plus. Also Jets pro scout claims here has been zero discussion with Boston.

I follow a lot of Penguins reporters on twitter, & they all seem to think the Pens will try to make a move for Kane. Neal being the obvious asset to get it done.

 

I didn't realize, but it sounds like Neal's not the most popular guy in the dressing room or with team staff. Malkin loves him, but a lot of other players don't. It'll be interesting to see how much trade value he has.

I follow a lot of Penguins reporters on twitter, & they all seem to think the Pens will try to make a move for Kane. Neal being the obvious asset to get it done.

 

I didn't realize, but it sounds like Neal's not the most popular guy in the dressing room or with team staff. Malkin loves him, but a lot of other players don't. It'll be interesting to see how much trade value he has.

That's an awful trade and won't happen.. kane for neal doesn't have any legs to stand on at all...

 

for one, we really don't have a need for neal, he's a rw, kane's a lw... buff for neal? sure but kane? i don't think so. Pens would have to add significant pieces to make that one happen.

 

I follow a lot of Penguins reporters on twitter, & they all seem to think the Pens will try to make a move for Kane. Neal being the obvious asset to get it done.

 

I didn't realize, but it sounds like Neal's not the most popular guy in the dressing room or with team staff. Malkin loves him, but a lot of other players don't. It'll be interesting to see how much trade value he has.

That's an awful trade and won't happen.. kane for neal doesn't have any legs to stand on at all...

 

for one, we really don't have a need for neal, he's a rw, kane's a lw... buff for neal? sure but kane? i don't think so. Pens would have to add significant pieces to make that one happen.

 

Neal can play both sides.

 

 

I follow a lot of Penguins reporters on twitter, & they all seem to think the Pens will try to make a move for Kane. Neal being the obvious asset to get it done.

 

I didn't realize, but it sounds like Neal's not the most popular guy in the dressing room or with team staff. Malkin loves him, but a lot of other players don't. It'll be interesting to see how much trade value he has.

That's an awful trade and won't happen.. kane for neal doesn't have any legs to stand on at all...

 

for one, we really don't have a need for neal, he's a rw, kane's a lw... buff for neal? sure but kane? i don't think so. Pens would have to add significant pieces to make that one happen.

 

Neal can play both sides.

 

why would chevy who wants guys who are high on character want a guy like neal, who in your post, you said, he is not well liked by basically everyone but malkin. Neal makes no sense for this team moving forward. The jets plan is to build around the young guys, not bring in a guy like neal who has inflated numbers because he plays with malkin.