I posted the following as a mid-season report card…. I have adjusted the grades, if needed, and extra comments in bold. The grades are on the whole season.

 

Here is my half season report card on the Jets. If a 4^th liner plays better than expected, he might get a better grade than a 1^st liner not doing as well as expected but may be still being better than the 4^th liner.  

Chevy        C

Gets marks for not making any rash decisions while the Jets aren’t doing well and for stocking the cupboard with great picks at the draft. Loses marks for letting the Buff/Ladd situation drag past Christmas and not doing anything about the LHD depth.

B+

 

Chevy stuck to his guns and didn’t buckle to Ladd’s demands and overpay him and got a very good return on Ladd. Also, by giving Buff 7.6m per year, he is showing everyone around the league that the Jets will pay if you are worth it. He realized they weren’t making the postseason and acted accordingly. It’ll be interesting to see what he does in the off-season.

 

 

Maurice     C

Started Petan when he should have been sent down. Not very good special teams. Playing Stu/Peluso too much. Marks for switching around lines looking for good combos and for not letting the team get down and to continue trying to play the right way.

Maurice’s grade stays the same for much the same reasons as above. He plays Stu too much and doesn’t play players like Petan and Armia with offensive minded players enough. Also, he didn’t play Postma until he was more or less forced to. Still playing Stu on the PK even though he is the worst PKer in the league statistically.

 

 

Forwards

Dano      C

 

Dano has played relatively well and isn’t afraid to go to the tough spots and spaces.

 

Ladd          C- Very inconsistent play at the beginning of the season. Starting to play better in the last 7-8 games has saved him from a D grade. The nastiness in his game is starting to co me out again.

C

 

Ladd’s grade goes up because his play improved before the trade and how he handled everything surrounding a possible trade with the utmost class.

 

 

Little          B

Has played fairly consistent and probably through some injuries. Second leading scorer that kills penalties and plays the PP.

Little’s grade doesn’t change mainly because he got hurt and was on pace for a 60 point season.

 

 

Wheeler      A+

Has played well all season and is in the top 10 in scoring in the league and is a team leader for the Jets. He also kills penalties and plays the PP. Best player on the team all year.

Grade stays the same as he was the team’s MVP this year.

 

 

Perreault     B

Started slowly and that cost him a B+ grade. Excellent on the PP and on pace for a 53 point season. Gives it his all every shift same as Wheeler. Finishes checks and is good with the puck. If Myers played with his moxie, he'd be a Norris contender.

Grade stays the same. He can really create offense when playing with the right players but hasn’t played a full season.

 

Scheif         B

Scheif went MIA for a sting earlier or I would have gave him a B+ or an A. Developing very nicely and is on pace for 47 points. Probably be the captain of the team one day.

A-     Grade goes up because he upped his game when called upon to take on the 1C role. Future captain of the team.

 

 

Ehlers         C

Started nicely but has slowed considerably. The fast start saved him from a D grade. Needs to be better in his own end without the puck and has to put some points on the board and become more consistent offensively.

B  Ehler’s mark moves up a full grade because his game really picked up in the 2^nd half especially when teamed with Scheif and Wheeler. His D game has improved but he still needs some work in his D zone. A star in the making.

 

 

Staf            B +         

One of the most consistent Jets. Plays PP, PK, does everything that is asked of him and scores big goals.

B-  His grade goes down. Staf seems to go away for a long periods of time and he is almost invisible ……. this was really noticeable in the 2^nd half. Still scored over 20 goals and that is no small feat in this league.

 

 

Lowry        D 

A horrible start to the season saw him shipped to the Moose until Scheif was hurt. Playing better since the recall.

C-  His grade goes up marginally because his game improved marginally. As of the last 6 or 7 games, he has played really well but the grade is on the season.

 

 

Burmi         C+

His game has come around nicely in the last 10 games and especially on the line with Lowry and Ladd. Good defensively. Needs to shoot more.

Burmi’s grade stays the same. He over handles the puck too much and gives it up in the O zone way too much.

 

 

Thorbs        B-

Another player that does everything that is asked of him.

C +   His played dropped off in the 2^nd half and he should be in the press box most of next season.

 

 

Copp          B-

Copp hasn’t looked out of place and is very good defensively. He is having a very steady year.

Grade stays the same. Copp plays well defensively and hopefully will one day crack the 3^rd line.

 

 

Armia         C+

Not many games but certainly hasn’t looked out of place. Good positioning in the D zone, he has soft hands and is a good passer.

Armia’s injury came at a most inopportune time. He could have got a lot of 2^nd line minutes if not hurt. He was really coming on before the injury. Grade stays the same.

 

 

Peluso        C

Peluso played well when he was called on.

C-

 

He does what is expected of him but takes too many penalties. Should be playing on the Moose next year.

 

 

Petan          C-

Nic was a bit of a disappointment and was sent down to continue his development and is doing well on the Moose.

C    I moved his grade up because he has played well and has showed improvement since his first tour earlier this season.

 

 

Halischuk   B-

Again, not many games but played the PK and brought a lot of energy to the 4^th line.

He does what is asked of him and never complains about anything. A good emergency call up this year. Grade stays the same.

 

 

Defencemen

Buff           B

Has been the best D man this year. He hasn’t taken too many games off and a LOT of the Jets’ Offense starts with him. Better defensively than most people give him credit for and breaks up a lot of p lays because he has such great anticipation and sees plays developing.

B+  

 

Buff’s grade goes up as he has played a good, sound D game while adding offense and didn’t give up even when eliminated from the postseason. Shows the youngsters what it takes to be a pro.

 

 

Trouba        C-

His play the last 10-12 games has brought him up from a D grade. Started badly  and was downright horrible some games earlier this season.

I wanted to move him up to a C but every 4^th game or so he sucks big time…..needs to be more consistent. Grade stays the same.

 

 

Myers          C+

He has played well after an early start but takes off a bit too much still and gets caught up ice too often. His hockey IQ doesn’t match his skill. Has played well on the PP as of late.

Grade stays the same and I can’t really expand too much on his mid-season report. A lot of it remains the same. I did expect more O from him this year.

 

Enstrom       B-

Toby has been our best defensive defenseman this year. Great first passes out of the D zone. Too small to win many battles against the boards brings his grade down fro m a B+.

Grade stays the same. A calming influence on the blueline and players play much better when paired with him.

 

 

Chiarot        D

Has played well below expectations and was sat for a spell in November. Inconsistent play this year.

I’d like to up his grade but like Trouba, every 4^th or so game sucks very badly. Grade stays the same.

 

Stuart          D-

A train wreck and a defenseman that makes poor decisions with the puck. The worst grade possible.  

If there was a lower mark (pun intended), he would get it.

 

 

Pardy          C-

He got in for a few games but didn’t leave a great impression. Slow skater.

Grade stays the same mainly because of so few games played before being traded.

 

 

Postma        C-

Not many games at all but not the best defence-oriented defenceman on the team.

Grade stays the same although I almost gave him a C. Seems to be getting better the more games he played.

 

 

Goalies

Hutch          D

Started well but hasn’t won a game he has started since the end of October. Nuff said.

Grade stays the same. His ceiling is probably a journeyman backup.

 

 

Helle           A-

I really wanted to give him an A but getting pulled after a poor showing the other week brings it down….if he had more games under his belt, it might not have. It’s still very early in his career but he looks to be the future goaltender for the Jets for years to come.

B+   His grade goes down a bit because his play dropped off before being sent back down.

 

 

Pavs            C-

Didn’t play well or consistent before getting hurt and needs to play better when he returns as either he or Hutch will be moved….farm or trade.

I almost gave him a D but he has been better than Hutch so………..grade stays the same.

 

 

Average team mark is a low C.

Overall team mark is an average C.

 

Average management mark is a C.  

B-        Chevy’s handling of Buff and Ladd and picking up Tanev brings the management’s mark up.

 

 

Did I forget anyone?

 

 

 

Edited April 10, 20169 yr by Ducky

I think if you put stu on waivers he clears and can go play on the moose. The nhl has passed Stuart by. He would be a good vet tho on the moose. Same with thorburn for that matter. These "good in the lockerrom" guys shouldn't be holding any younger players back. They should be in the A showing them the way. Wouldn'tbe surprised if stu or Thor or both are in the A with the moose soon. Don't see any team in the league claiming them. If they do. Great. If not. You get some much needed vet leadership for the moose. The Jets don't need those 2 when they have buff Wheeler Perreault Little Stafford even as vets. 

2.625m per year is a lot for a Moose player.

How does everyone feel about Stu as the #7 dman?

I'd be ok with him as 7th/8th but his AAV is 2.625m.

Actual salary is 2.7m next season and 1.75m the season after... good pickup for Vegas....a leader and eats up more AAV than he is actually paid.

Interview with Trouba on H&L. Said he likes winnipeg and wants to sign a long term deal to stay here. Says he's of the same mind as Scheif. 

They also had Chipman on for 90 minutes. Fantastic interview. 

Said the canadian dollar has no impact at all. 

Said he doesn't make decisions on hockey ops. Chevy does.  Chevy had said Chipman would have input into the next captain and Chipman said he shouldn't. Said he would always offer advice when asked but it's not his place 

Said Chevy has done a fantastic job and they will discuss an extension 

Said they spent less money this year simply because they were in the low end of team salary cycle and will spend significantly more this summer. 

Said chevy doesn't have an internal budget and that budget decisions aren't made on a daily basis, that the salary is what it is and will rise as their players' need new contracts. 

He did at one point sort of off handed remarked about being a cap team. He was talking about the success of the jets and how they reinvest profits back into the organization including on players. And they want to keep paying down debt and improving the company to ensure success and "being a cap team". 

he was asked about a succession plan which led to the above answer and added that they have a plan to make sure the jets never ever leave regardless of ownership. 

i tuned out for a moment but i think he said he would love to have Ladd back and told him that. 

He was asked about not letting fans have fun namely the Helmet Pardy and the tracksuit night. He said that was on him. He said he thought it was inappropriate to glorify what happened to Pardy. And he didn't seem to think they hampered fans on tracksuit night but Hustler said security was rough on people. Chipman did say the tracksuit incident was an unpleasant thing for them and didn't feel it was appropriate to make light of. 

He did challenge Gary's opinion that the team was flat due to the whole kane thing that game. 

He said he didn't think hockey needed fighting. He really struggled to answer and you could tell he didn't want to offend fans who like it. But it was clear he would be glad to see it eliminated. 

he said the owners don't know much about expansion and will have a chance to vote and he hasn't made a decision yet. Will consider the proposal before voting 

Said they will Honor the history of the jets both NHL and WHA in a major way that the fans will love. 

Said Thomson doesn't get to many games but always watches wherever he is and wears his jets shirt every day when he works out. Says Thomson loves hockey and loves the team and is engaged, they talk on a regular basis. 

Says they do not pay themselves (himself and david) a cut of profits which seemed to surorise Gary. Was a bit sheepish about admitting that they pour profits back into the company, didn't want to seem like he was patting himself on the back. 

Said they pay down debt. And invest in the arena and hockey ops. Said they have spent $40m on the building and it will be $60m by the time they are done all the upgrades in a few years. 

Said TNS will have a positive impact as it makes the company more profitable. 

 

Wonder what the debt part is per se.

Ilya Kovalchuk gonna get invited to the Alumni game? He should.

Like to see improvements to the game day experience. Better music, cheaper beer and some of these

 

Edited April 15, 20169 yr by FrostyWinnipeg

13 minutes ago, FrostyWinnipeg said:

Wonder what the debt part is per se.

 

He referred to the "investment" that was made in acquiring the team. So Id suspect the $200m. And the improvements to MTSC. He said the bulk of the $40m they spent was in the first season. 

It was always assumed Thomson put out the cash to buy the thrashers and that's probably true. I recall Chipman referring to Thomson having made it possible. But I assume his money was an investment into True North and converted into debt to be paid back over time. 

i loved the succession planning question because it's very interesting.  Chipman's daughters are still young but you wonder if he hopes they take over the family business one day. 

Mark's assertion that they intend the company to be strong enough that the Jets will never ever leave was good to hear. 

6 hours ago, FrostyWinnipeg said:

Wonder what the debt part is per se.

Ilya Kovalchuk gonna get invited to the Alumni game? He should.

Like to see improvements to the game day experience. Better music, cheaper beer and some of these

 

I disagree on Kovalchuk.  They are celebrating the "Jets" history, not the franchise history.

People are more excited about the alumni game then the actual NHL outdoor game.  Why?  Because it is a chance to see all the players a lot of us grew up watching, following, and cheering for.

Who here has even a remote connection to Kovalchuk other then the respect you would give to any NHL superstar.     

Thanks for posting that TUP.

To me it just shows what kind of ownership that the Jets are party to, and, IMO, it suits Winnipeg just fine. Manitoba should be proud to have a strong ownership group who don't put frivolous things ahead of integrity. Everything they have tried to do puts the fans and Winnipeg ahead of personal recognition. 

Bravo..

Oh regarding Game Day, a fan beat him up for not having an organ at MTSC and the fan even said "I know you'll say you dont have the room".  Chipman said one of his staff (cant remember who but the game day producer or someone of that ilk) has been asking for an organ.  Chipman said "room" isnt the issue and they could fit an organ in if they wanted to and its something they are considering.

He also said True North sold the piece of property related to True North Square where the hotel is going and said "we have nothing to do with that development".  Explained it as feeling they should let someone who's more experienced at hotel development do it.  He didnt expand on that but given the importance of that and everything related to the Convention Centre I'd suspect there were agreements in place to ensure it's built and connected to TNS.

It is going to be a Sutton Hotel and he said it was best that someone in the business take care of it. They sold that parcel of land to the group that are building and running the hotel. The Gaglardi family I think.

6 minutes ago, Ducky said:

It is going to be a Sutton Hotel and he said it was best that someone in the business take care of it. They sold that parcel of land to the group that are building and running the hotel. The Gaglardi family I think.

Yes, correct.  Northland Properties.  They own Sutton, Sandman, Chop etc.  (Look for a Chop inside the Sutton Hotel when its built).  And the family owns the Dallas Stars too.  So Chipman kept the deal in the NHL family.

Just as a sidenote, I was at that tracksuit game and there were alot of tracksuits, including the one I was wearing, and I didn't see anyone get hassled.  Not saying it didn't happen but I didn't witness it.

 

10 minutes ago, The Unknown Poster said:

 

No thanks.  Enstrom for Eberle - done and done.  And I mean done.

I don't think F for D straight up gets done, but as both an Oilers and Jets fan, I like that move. Oilers likely have to send back a shitty D and Jets have to send a shitty F....

EDM would rather dump RNH. Eberle is a straight up goal guy so major win for us. It's like Nash getting Ryan Johansen for Seth Jones. Looks good on paper.

But why wouldnt they just trade Eberle for Hamonic? They need shutdown D not offensive D.

Edited April 26, 20169 yr by FrostyWinnipeg

Because islanders don't want Eberle at 6 million a year and I'd bet the jets don't either. Straight goal scorer? Yup but doesn't play in his own zone. Not a Maurice guy. 

41 minutes ago, FrostyWinnipeg said:

EDM would rather dump RNH. Eberle is a straight up goal guy so major win for us. It's like Nash getting Ryan Johansen for Seth Jones. Looks good on paper.

But why wouldnt they just trade Eberle for Hamonic? They need shutdown D not offensive D.

If you believe the rumours Hanonic doesn't have a short list of multiple teams. He has one team. Period. 

Burmi could be thrown in as well and something else. Myers is what they need and he and a great contract. 

Yup and Eberle plays softer than Myers for God's sake.

The expansion draft will have a huge bearing on NHL trading this season.

The draft also will determine who, if any, will be traded.

I am not in favor of moving out Myers for a forward. I'd consider Myers and ? for RNH if we don't get a good center in this draft though. It'll give Trouba more O time but do we really need a guy now so we leave someone else unprotected if there is an expansion draft? I'd wait until things are clearer and am sure the Jets will wait until all the dust settles this summer.

It only makes sense if they are acquiring Hamonic. 

To steal a line from enzo and cass from wwe... there is only 1 word to describe Jordan Eberle and I'm gonna spell it out for ya.... S A W F T..... SAAAAWWWFFFTT 

1 hour ago, Goalie said:

To steal a line from enzo and cass from wwe... there is only 1 word to describe Jordan Eberle and I'm gonna spell it out for ya.... S A W F T..... SAAAAWWWFFFTT 

If Eberle is soft then Drew Stafford is...

Ya. But Eberle makes 6 million a year... Stafford has 1 year left. Eberle is sawft and at 6 million a year would be our highest paid forward. Think about that