The story so far...

 

Blues best team in NHL

Must win for Jets(aren't they all at this point?)

Keep Steen off the scoreboard and his dad out of the arena

Pav to start

Everyone but the Kings playing Thursday

 

Somewhere either in the back of my mind or on the board I saw Pav starting games down the stretch. Weird.

Sounds like you've climbed back on the wagon...

How close are little buff and Perrault? Because getting them all back is almost scary.

 

Possible for the road trip but not sooner I think.

Sounds like you've climbed back on the wagon...

I think they are in tough to make the playoffs but I can't argue with their desire and fight.

Truly a great playoff/non-playoff game.

Pavelec was truly the number one star…again.

Are we sure Postma is injured? I heard reference to the post so many times tonight, I thought he was playing.

It would be a shame if this hockey team misses the playoffs. They are working their butts off.

And yes, Stafford is a keeper. And that Myers fellow…sure seems to have re-found his groove in Winnipeg.

Scheifele and Wheeler, with Stafford is a nice top line.

Good, solid effort.

Stafford and Myers sure give the Jets some options this off-season.  I wonder how Stafford feels and if he will go to free agency or negotiate with the Jets - he's got to like playing with these young guys.  If he could extrapolate over an entire season what he's done since coming here, its pretty exciting.  Myers flat out gives the Jets options when considering Buff's future and you get the strong impression that if Trouba is a lifer, how are they going to pay that entire right side D?  Myers play might make it a moot point.

Did anyone listen to the full post game show on 1290? r/winnipegjets was saying Stafford was interviewed, and when asked about coming back next season, he seemed anything but clear he wanted to be back...

Can anyone shed some light on what was said?

I thought he said he was concentrating on winning the games right now, and not thinking about anything other than that. Not much more than that. 

 

There was a lot of joking about Edmonton, his parents, living in Wisconsin, North Dakota, his folks benching him for bad grades at one point in his youth…..

I wonder if Stafford re signs if that pushes Frolik out?

Didn't really hear anything relating to stafford not wanting to sign here, to be honest, it sounded like he was very happy to be here and things couldn't have gone better really. 

 

I think they sign him and i think both sides will want it to get done. 

 

Not sure about Frolik, depends on what he is asking for really. 

 

As for Little Buff and Perreault, Little and Buff will probably be back Saturday, Perreault probably not till april. 

I thought he said he was concentrating on winning the games right now, and not thinking about anything other than that. Not much more than that. 

 

There was a lot of joking about Edmonton, his parents, living in Wisconsin, North Dakota, his folks benching him for bad grades at one point in his youth…..

 

Thanks...  Yeah, I mean I wouldn't want/expect him to be worried about it now anyhow. I guess it was just the way this internet stranger worded it, made it out to be bigger than it was.

Stafford's agent will surely be telling him to go to free agency.  If he continues to play the way he is playing, his price will go up.  But some guys want to be where they want to be or else every player would go to free agency and never sign early.  Hopefully he stays.  Maybe the Minnesota Mafia will all want to stay together.  It might lower Ladd's price a bit because signing Stafford would give Ladd less leverage as far as having little to no depth on the LW.  Myers does the same for Buff.  Have to think of Ladd, Buff, Frolik, Stafford that two of them will be back...maybe three.  But all four?

Does anyone truly believe that Ladd and Buff won't be re-signed?

 

Chiarot and Perrault practicing today - could they be back sooner rather than later?  What about Buff and Little? 

Does anyone truly believe that Ladd and Buff won't be re-signed?

I dont think it's a forgone conclusion.  Both players are approaching the sweet spot for signing the biggest contracts of their careers and both would stand the chance of getting more money or longer term by going to Free Agency next summer.

 

Chiarot and Perrault practicing today - could they be back sooner rather than later?  What about Buff and Little? 

Since Buff and Little are both out longer than we had been led to believed, I think they might play tomorrow.  Perrault probably not until April.  But if the team is winning, there isnt as much urgency for guys to come back before they are 100%.

Orange jerseys = non-contact.

Orange jerseys = non-contact.

That's why the Flyers suck so much

Does anyone truly believe that Ladd and Buff won't be re-signed?

 

No.

 

All logic and common sense would dictate both would be extended this summer. Personally, I feel term/dollars is really the only debate for TNSE.

They don't really need to extend them this summer, they aren't really priorities, the UFAs are the priorities and I think It's likely that one of Buff or Ladd are moved, i'm leaning towards Buff just because the Jets already have 2 top 4 RHD men, they don't need 3 and not for what it would cost to extend Buff. 

 

Buff is a popular player but other popular players have come and gone in winnipeg jets history and the team has been fine. 

 

I'd like to sign them both to extensions but.. if they want too much money or term, then it's best to move on cuz eventually the real building blocks will need extensions too, guys like Scheif,Lowry, Trouba, gonna say guys like Ehlers Morrissey and the sorts also. Signing both Ladd and Buff to long term big money contracts is not smart business. 

They don't really need to extend them this summer, they aren't really priorities, the UFAs are the priorities and I think It's likely that one of Buff or Ladd are moved, i'm leaning towards Buff just because the Jets already have 2 top 4 RHD men, they don't need 3 and not for what it would cost to extend Buff. 

 

Buff is a popular player but other popular players have come and gone in winnipeg jets history and the team has been fine. 

 

I'd like to sign them both to extensions but.. if they want too much money or term, then it's best to move on cuz eventually the real building blocks will need extensions too, guys like Scheif,Lowry, Trouba, gonna say guys like Ehlers Morrissey and the sorts also. Signing both Ladd and Buff to long term big money contracts is not smart business. 

Thats really the issue.  Once they extend Trouba which they will since he will be RFA in a couple years, are you going to pay THAT much money for your three RHD?  Myers makes Buff expendable to a degree, as much as I hate to say that.

 

But I do think extending Ladd and Buff this summer is huge because do you really want to go into the deadline next year with two key players that could bolt if you dont sign or trade them?  That would be a huge distraction and if the Jets fought for a playoff spot, fell short and then lost both guys for nothing, that would be a disaster.

They'd trade Myers loooooooong before they traded Buff, anyone that thinks otherwise is a sandwich short of a picnic.

 

Buff was supposed to be out 4-6 weeks wasn't he?

They'd trade Myers loooooooong before they traded Buff, anyone that thinks otherwise is a sandwich short of a picnic.

 

Buff was supposed to be out 4-6 weeks wasn't he?

If for some reason it became and either/or, they would keep Myers, all things being equal (ie. him not wanting to leave).  Thats the right move to make from a business perspective.  Emotionally, sure, Buff.  But Myers is younger, cheaper, better contract (for now) and we could debate their talent all day.

If you have the choice between Buff and Ladd its Buff. You build a team down the middle have to have top knotch D, C and goalies to win.

If you have the choice between Buff and Ladd its Buff. You build a team down the middle have to have top knotch D, C and goalies to win.

Ladd is good and I like him but as far as being the captain and the straw that stirs the drink, Wheeler is the guy.

This is my take on the 4 guys... And i really dont think Buff or Ladd are going to ask for stupid money to stay.

 

Buff i figure stays because hes not a flashy type guy... He dont needs the lights of a big market or warm weather and houses on the beach and hes a quiet type big leader in the room and he likes to work and teach younger players. He likes it here and respects the Team... Throwing Kanes track suit in the shower or whatever shows that IMO.

 

I heard the comments from Ladd about wanting to win now and dont care about the draft and develop thing... I dont read to much into that. Hes the leader and needs to comment like one and thats what he did. Speaking of being the leader and captain.... Ladd likes the role to much to really want to go... Hes not going to go to a team and become their captain... IMO he will take a lil less money to keep that role on a young up n coming team that he can lead.

 

Stafford i think resigns with us. If Staff thought he was brought in as a rent a player them i think hed bolt but i think Maurice has let him know he is in the teams plans and has a role on this team now and in the future. IMO he sees he has a good fit with Wheels and Schief and will want to continue with that and see where that line can go.

 

Fro....  Hes a bit more iffy IMO. Hes said he wants to stay and likes his role with the team and likes Maurice.He doesnt come across as a me me me type so i think he may stick around for 3.5 i think he knows hes not going to get much more then that and if hes comphy with his role here i think he stays.

 

From what ive seen of this team is the guys have character. none of them seem to have the all about me attitude and thats what im basing my opinion on.