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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

 

Florida has a guy they'd like to get but they can't justify taking him at #1 overall but they don't think he'll be around past a certain point, that's there whole mentality here.

Florida has a guy they'd like to get but they can't justify taking him at #1 overall but they don't think he'll be around past a certain point, that's there whole mentality here.

Then it wouldnt be Kane + 9 for 1.  Kane for 1 is fair and actually hurts the Jets in the short term.  Florida apparently desperately wants a scoring winger.  Kane would fit in well there.  He'd be a young star the Panthers can market.  For the Jets, having #1 AND #9 would be tremendous.  But it leaves a gaping hole at LW when we're already weak at Centre and RW.

 

On the other hand, there's a chance to do that deal, then either slot Buff in at 2RW or 2LW or trade him for a package, then use the savings to be active in Free Agency.

you don't seem to grasp the idea that Florida wants a high first round pick as well.... Why does every trade you suggest involve under paying compared to what is being asked? Florida isn't unhappy to be forced to take the best player in the draft, but they're willing to go down if some team gives them a stupid price. 

Kane is under value??? 

 

You dont think Kane & 9 for 1 is WAAAAY over paying on the part of the Jets?

 

Looking around the internet, the consenus is Kane for 1 is a good value both ways.  It does more for the Panthers in the short term than it does the Jets and draft picks are crap shoots.  There is no telling whether whomever the Jets pick at 1 will have a better career than Kane.  Likewise, the Panthers know what they get in Kane and dont know what they get in a draft pick.

 

Im not comfortable with the trade from the jets perspective to be honest.  But I'd be floored if the Jets gave up their first AND Kane.

IF Chevy makes any trades, I'd say Kane to Philly...  they need a LW now that Hartnell is gone - Maybe Kane and a goalie prospect for Couturier and Laughton?

 

Possibly Bogo and 4th to Edmonton for Gagner and Fasth?

 

Armchair GM day

A deal that would focus on Kane going and strictly pick(s) coming back defies all logic, IMO.

Kane, with warts and all, is a proven commodity. Look up his 5on5 numbers...one of the games best scorers, period. Loads to work on, but he's 22 and signed long term. To me, it's as simple as put him with Scheif and Wheels all year. If he can't produce then, consider moving him.

Only receiving picks means the team is taking a step towards a rebuild rather than a step towards playoffs. I know, we're not winning Lord Stanley's Grail anytime soon, but I thought doing everything we can to get in the playoffs was a logical next step.

what I'm saying is that kane for #1 is not bloody likely to happen. Florida will take Ekblad and trust that he turns into that top pairing defenseman he is projected to be but for a team to convince them to move down it's going to be a payment that you don't want to part with, like 9th overall and a pretty big piece. Stop trying to make a fair trade because a fair trade isn't going to happen any trade involving the #1 overall is going to favour Florida by quite a bit otherwise what's their incentive to do it?

Taking Ekblad is a waste of the first overall pick IMO

what I'm saying is that kane for #1 is not bloody likely to happen. Florida will take Ekblad and trust that he turns into that top pairing defenseman he is projected to be but for a team to convince them to move down it's going to be a payment that you don't want to part with, like 9th overall and a pretty big piece. Stop trying to make a fair trade because a fair trade isn't going to happen any trade involving the #1 overall is going to favour Florida by quite a bit otherwise what's their incentive to do it?

Kane for #1 favours Florida.

 

what I'm saying is that kane for #1 is not bloody likely to happen. Florida will take Ekblad and trust that he turns into that top pairing defenseman he is projected to be but for a team to convince them to move down it's going to be a payment that you don't want to part with, like 9th overall and a pretty big piece. Stop trying to make a fair trade because a fair trade isn't going to happen any trade involving the #1 overall is going to favour Florida by quite a bit otherwise what's their incentive to do it?

Kane for #1 favours Florida.

 

Only in your mind. This draft is not as weak as people make it out to be, there are some pretty good pieces in the top 4 or 5. They're not surefire like some of the past drafts but they are pretty "safe" while still having high potential. Kane doesn't have that kind of value because top line centres or top pairing D (which is what the top 4 of this draft is) are more valuable than wingers. 

 

 

what I'm saying is that kane for #1 is not bloody likely to happen. Florida will take Ekblad and trust that he turns into that top pairing defenseman he is projected to be but for a team to convince them to move down it's going to be a payment that you don't want to part with, like 9th overall and a pretty big piece. Stop trying to make a fair trade because a fair trade isn't going to happen any trade involving the #1 overall is going to favour Florida by quite a bit otherwise what's their incentive to do it?

Kane for #1 favours Florida.

 

Only in your mind. This draft is not as weak as people make it out to be, there are some pretty good pieces in the top 4 or 5. They're not surefire like some of the past drafts but they are pretty "safe" while still having high potential. Kane doesn't have that kind of value because top line centres or top pairing D (which is what the top 4 of this draft is) are more valuable than wingers. 

 

Nope, not in my mind.  Look around and read some different discussion.  And then apply some common sense.

 

You're saying Kane is not worth as much as mystery door number 1.  That's ludicrous.  10-15 years from now perhaps we can look back and say Ekblad or Bennett or whomever had better careers than Kane.  Maybe Kane comes out on top.  One in the hand is worth two in the bush.  Kane is the established top line player.  Not only that, but he fills what some speculate to be a burning desire on Florda's part.  Not only that, he's got a good contract.  Not only that, he's the right face for a lower tier team like Florida to market.

 

If Panthers draft Ekblad and the next day call Chevy and offer Ekblad for Kane, straight up, you're saying we'd have to throw in an early round first round draft pick as well?  Not a chance.

 

No expert has called anyone in this draft a franchise player.  Yes, there is talent.  yes there is first line top talent.  But I'd say it falls short of franchise talent and thats right where Kane would be slotted right now.

#1 picks are hardly mystery door #1. You gotta go back a long way to find one that didn't pan out. 

#1 picks are hardly mystery door #1. You gotta go back a long way to find one that didn't pan out. 

 

 

2012 # 1: Yak.  At this stage I'd rather have Kane.  So that year, Kane for #1 would have favoured Edmonton

2011 # 1: RNH.  Again, at this stage, I'd rather have Kane.

2006 # 1: Erik Johnson.  Rather have Kane.

2003 #1: MAF.  Rather have Kane.

2001 #1: Kovalchuk.  Points to be made either way but if Kane has a long career and doesnt bolt to the KHL, then Kane's the better deal.

2000 #1: Rick DiPietro.  Rather have Kane.

1999 #1: Patrick Stefan.  Rather have Kane.

1996 #1: Chris Phillps.  Rather have Kane.

 

The list goes on.  A player you *know* is a top 5 pick calibre player versus a pick you *hope* is.

I'd rather have John Tavares than Kane.

 

 

No expert has called anyone in this draft a franchise player.  Yes, there is talent.  yes there is first line top talent.  But I'd say it falls short of franchise talent and thats right where Kane would be slotted right now.

Kane might have potential to be a franchise player, but nothing he's done to date puts him in that category yet. A career high 57 points after five years in the league does not make anybody a franchise player, unless the definition has changed dramatically. IMO franchise players are guys like Crosby, Malkin, Giroux, Tavares, Getzlaf, etc.

 

Disregard if that's not what you meant. Your last line could be intrepreted either way.

 

#1 picks are hardly mystery door #1. You gotta go back a long way to find one that didn't pan out. 

 

 

2012 # 1: Yak.  At this stage I'd rather have Kane.  So that year, Kane for #1 would have favoured Edmonton

2011 # 1: RNH.  Again, at this stage, I'd rather have Kane.

2006 # 1: Erik Johnson.  Rather have Kane.

2003 #1: MAF.  Rather have Kane.

2001 #1: Kovalchuk.  Points to be made either way but if Kane has a long career and doesnt bolt to the KHL, then Kane's the better deal.

2000 #1: Rick DiPietro.  Rather have Kane.

1999 #1: Patrick Stefan.  Rather have Kane.

1996 #1: Chris Phillps.  Rather have Kane.

 

The list goes on.  A player you *know* is a top 5 pick calibre player versus a pick you *hope* is.

 

as I said, you really are over valuing Kane. Yakupov having a down year in a year when most oiler players had down years doesn't diminish his value that much, and if you think Kane is a better player than RNH you clearly don't watch RNH play. His point totals might have lagged lately but he is playing a very tough role as a skinny young centre in the biggest toughest division in hockey. 

 

as for the rest of the comparables, 2000 was a hell of a long time ago already so that's what I said, you gotta go back a long way. Fleury I'd have ahead of Kane too because for all his faults the guy is still a cup winning goaltender. Johnson is a tougher one, but this past season he did look like that legit #1 D which is more valuable than Kane. Now granted Johnson had some early issues, but I wonder how much of that was related to screwing up his knee getting out of a golf cart? 

 

Now let's look at some others... Hall is way ahead of Kane, Tavares is way ahead of Kane, Mckinnon is way ahead of Kane, Kane is way ahead of Kane, Crosby and Ovechkin no more needs to be said. The fact that you even think Kane is on a comparable level to Kovalchuk says all I need to know about how you over value Kane. Kovalchuk did way more than Kane ever has. Kane is a nice player, but these days the first overall pick is so well scouted it's a gimmie pick. 

I doubt The Jets make any big moves... They will draft and keep adding to the young core.

 

 

 

No expert has called anyone in this draft a franchise player.  Yes, there is talent.  yes there is first line top talent.  But I'd say it falls short of franchise talent and thats right where Kane would be slotted right now.

Kane might have potential to be a franchise player, but nothing he's done to date puts him in that category yet. A career high 57 points after five years in the league does not make anybody a franchise player, unless the definition has changed dramatically. IMO franchise players are guys like Crosby, Malkin, Giroux, Tavares, Getzlaf, etc.

 

Disregard if that's not what you meant. Your last line could be intrepreted either way.

 

I meant Kane is a notch below franchise players.

 

 

#1 picks are hardly mystery door #1. You gotta go back a long way to find one that didn't pan out. 

 

 

2012 # 1: Yak.  At this stage I'd rather have Kane.  So that year, Kane for #1 would have favoured Edmonton

2011 # 1: RNH.  Again, at this stage, I'd rather have Kane.

2006 # 1: Erik Johnson.  Rather have Kane.

2003 #1: MAF.  Rather have Kane.

2001 #1: Kovalchuk.  Points to be made either way but if Kane has a long career and doesnt bolt to the KHL, then Kane's the better deal.

2000 #1: Rick DiPietro.  Rather have Kane.

1999 #1: Patrick Stefan.  Rather have Kane.

1996 #1: Chris Phillps.  Rather have Kane.

 

The list goes on.  A player you *know* is a top 5 pick calibre player versus a pick you *hope* is.

 

as I said, you really are over valuing Kane. Yakupov having a down year in a year when most oiler players had down years doesn't diminish his value that much, and if you think Kane is a better player than RNH you clearly don't watch RNH play. His point totals might have lagged lately but he is playing a very tough role as a skinny young centre in the biggest toughest division in hockey. 

 

as for the rest of the comparables, 2000 was a hell of a long time ago already so that's what I said, you gotta go back a long way. Fleury I'd have ahead of Kane too because for all his faults the guy is still a cup winning goaltender. Johnson is a tougher one, but this past season he did look like that legit #1 D which is more valuable than Kane. Now granted Johnson had some early issues, but I wonder how much of that was related to screwing up his knee getting out of a golf cart? 

 

Now let's look at some others... Hall is way ahead of Kane, Tavares is way ahead of Kane, Mckinnon is way ahead of Kane, Kane is way ahead of Kane, Crosby and Ovechkin no more needs to be said. The fact that you even think Kane is on a comparable level to Kovalchuk says all I need to know about how you over value Kane. Kovalchuk did way more than Kane ever has. Kane is a nice player, but these days the first overall pick is so well scouted it's a gimmie pick. 

 

You have a lot of excuses as to why guys who didnt rise to the occasion are better than Kane.  Why do you feel Kane isnt a top tier player?  You have excuses for everyone else.  You under-value Kane.  A lot of people get down on the guy whether it's because of rumours, racism or because he's not as media friendly as other players.

 

Edited to Add:

 

You claim last season was a "down year" for Yak.  He's played two seasons.  Season 1: 17g, 14a, 31 points.  Season 2: 11g, 13a, 24 points.  So how do you know the second year was the down year?  Maybe the first year was the up year?  We can look at Yak's talent and say "he should be a top scoring player" but the same can be said about Kane.

 

Both guys played 111 games the past two seasons.  Yak had 28 goals and 55 points.  Kane had 36 goals and 74 points.  Granted Yak is younger.  But if we're adding "*", add the fact Kane scored 30 goals as a 20 year old.

 

If all things being equal, you'd pick Yak over Kane...I'd disagree with that.

 

The unknown factor is Kane's intent.  The people that argue to keep Kane usually say "he's a 30+ goal scorer, only 22 years old" etc.  But surely the Jets know by now if Kane wants to be here.  If he wants to have a long career with the Winnipeg Jets and is a team player, fits in etc etc, then don't trade him.  If he intends to run out his contract and move on, trade him as soon as you can get a good offer.  Period.

Anyone have any thoughts on Ryan Malone?

 

Assuming he's not a raging coke-head and assuming he wants to turn the page (he still has a court case upcoming and the NHL has to weigh in), I've always liked him.  He's been Compliance Bought Out by Tampa Bay.  As a cheap 3rd line LW, perhaps?  He's 34....

Anyone have any thoughts on Ryan Malone?

 

Assuming he's not a raging coke-head and assuming he wants to turn the page (he still has a court case upcoming and the NHL has to weigh in), I've always liked him.  He's been Compliance Bought Out by Tampa Bay.  As a cheap 3rd line LW, perhaps?  He's 34....

I'd definitely take him if you could get him for a one year deal. He's big and good defensively, but at this stage of his career he's more likely a 4th liner. He'll come cheap b/c of his injuries & off ice issues.

 

I think he might end up back in Pittsburgh. They need size & some grit & he's friends with the top players on the team.

 

You claim last season was a "down year" for Yak.  He's played two seasons.  Season 1: 17g, 14a, 31 points.  Season 2: 11g, 13a, 24 points.  So how do you know the second year was the down year?  Maybe the first year was the up year?  We can look at Yak's talent and say "he should be a top scoring player" but the same can be said about Kane.

 

ahh yes, leaving out the games played because of the lockout to try and make it seem like Yakupov accomplished less than he did in his rookie season... How do I know he had a down year? His shooting percentage fell off the map, if you watched him play at all you could see he lost his confidence where as in his first year his confidence was growing and he was playing better as the year went on. When you consider that the entire Oilers team had their confidence broken it makes sense right? 

 

Again who else are there excuses for? RNH? Well go look at the numbers, Kanes best year is 57 points, RNH has a best year of 56 points playing a much tougher position in a year that was widely regarded as a year he struggled in. Stop over rating Kane compared to #1 picks. 

 

 

You claim last season was a "down year" for Yak.  He's played two seasons.  Season 1: 17g, 14a, 31 points.  Season 2: 11g, 13a, 24 points.  So how do you know the second year was the down year?  Maybe the first year was the up year?  We can look at Yak's talent and say "he should be a top scoring player" but the same can be said about Kane.

 

ahh yes, leaving out the games played because of the lockout to try and make it seem like Yakupov accomplished less than he did in his rookie season... How do I know he had a down year? His shooting percentage fell off the map, if you watched him play at all you could see he lost his confidence where as in his first year his confidence was growing and he was playing better as the year went on. When you consider that the entire Oilers team had their confidence broken it makes sense right? 

 

Again who else are there excuses for? RNH? Well go look at the numbers, Kanes best year is 57 points, RNH has a best year of 56 points playing a much tougher position in a year that was widely regarded as a year he struggled in. Stop over rating Kane compared to #1 picks. 

 

Yak's rookie year S% of 21% wasn't sustainable. His S% last year was low, but it's more reasonable that his rookie season. It would be very high risk/high reward trading for him.

 

I'd trade Kane for RNH without hesitation. Much more valuable position & has a higher ceiling IMO.

Kane for RNH is reasonable.  17 just wants to win an argument so it doesnt really matter what the facts are.  Trading for Kane for Yak is a bad deal for the Jets.  Which wasnt even the debate.  It was whether Kane to Florida for first overall was more reasonable than Kane + 9th overall for first overall.

Did you listen to what Tallon said on TSN last night on their mock draft show? said he wants a good young player who can play and contribute for years to come and a draft pick. Straight from the horses mouth. I get it, you think Kane is the cats ass, he's the Jets best player so I don't blame you, but the Jets don't have a lot of talent, Kane isn't as good as you think. First overalls these days get you better players than Evander Kane, especially when the top of this draft is 3 centres and a defenseman, all of which are valued much more highly than wingers who only score goals.