Jets Flying High

    The cupboards were pretty bare when GM Forget took over. Schenn, Coyle, Eichel, Leddy and Mrazek were pretty much it. As a result, making deals have been a challenge. Still, the team should be more competetive this season. They are not a playoff team so a high pick in the draft will most likely occur but this team should have a little more offense than they did last season. Here is a look at the first two rounds of the draft and trades made in the past week:

Forwards: Eichel gives the team a bonafide number one center. Sheahan will drop to the second line. His numbers will probably drop given Eichel will play with Coyle and Schenn. Vey [acquired from Colorado] is a solid player who may benefit by playing more minutes and with Sheahan. Calvert's first season saw him post career numbers and will most likely draw second line duties. The bottom six will feature Baertschi, Etem, Hannikainen, Kemppainen, Reinhart, St.Louis. There is some skill with this group. St Louis will probably head for greener pastures after this season. Hannikainen and Kemppainen will make up the third line with Etem. Reinhart will have a rotation of wingers until something fits.

Trade Bait: Chipchura is the odd man out. With Vey, Reinhart, Hannikainen, and Kemppainen coming in Chipchura is on the outside. Baertschi is also available for the right price. He has scoring potential but management really do not know if it wants to wait. Baertschi will be given a chance to produce but playing on the third line makes that difficult.

Defense: Leddy has been the d-man most sought after by most teams but the lack of depth prevents the Jets from moving him. Gostisbehere will play on the top four. Gunnarsson is a solid stay at home but the Jets believe that Kulikov is a better option. Severson may also see top four duty. He showed a lot of promise after a solid rookie season. The number five and six spots will be be given to Scuderi, Zidlicky, and Kindl. With the new rule changes, Ruhlwedel will also be joining the big club. Musil and Mueller are waiting in the wings but won't see action until the log jam is cleared.

Trade Bait: Gunnarsson has been on the block for a bit and may be attractive to a team by mid season. Kindl could also be had simply because his playing time will be limited with Scuderi and Zidlicky in front of him. The Jets are also toying with the idea of moving Mueller. He produced solid offensive numbers in minors and would help but the Jets are not a huge fan.

Goaltending: Mrazek and Lindback give the Jets a solid tandem. Lindback played the bulk of the games but the Jets hope Mrazek will take over. Hackett will also get some playing time until the the three headed monster. The Jets hope to fix the situation soon.

Trade Bait: Mrazek is the future and there is little interest in Hackett, so Lindback is the odd man out.  He posted solid numbers behind a non playoff team so imagine what he could do behind a more solid d-fence.

Prospects: The Jets have made the biggest changes here. GM Forget wants players who fit in the mold of how he sees the team should play. Gawdin and Garland are improvements in the eyes of management. Basaraba and englund are the last of the prospects to move for picks.

Draft: The Jets wanted Chychrun or sergachev but could not justify taking him so high. Keller is a huge surprise but the team believes he is a darkhorse that GM's will be talking about years later. Lafontaine is another underated pick who strengthens the Jets goaltending depth behind Jarry.

Projected Lineup:

Schenn - Eichel - Coyle

Calvert - Sheahan - Vey

Hannikainen - Kemppainen - Etem

Baertschi - Reinhart - St Louis

Leddy - Kulikov

Gostisbehere - Severson

Gunnarsson - Scuderi

Mrazek - Lindback

Bench: Chipchura, Froese, Hackett, Hishon, Jooris, Kindl, Ruhwedel, Zidlicky

Jason Worrall

Posted my trade baits in the article

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Jason Worrall Thanks. Enjoy wrting them just don't have the time to write them.

10 years  0 teams Like this