Welcome to the “5 things” series here at Two Pad Stack!
As we head toward the twilight days of summer, each team has some unanswered questions that need addressing before the season gets started. Luckily for you, the staff here at 2PS will bring those questions to light.
Today, we take a look at a team in a bit of a transitionary phase: the Winnipeg Jets.
1. Can the Jets get back into the playoffs?
The Jets finished seven points out of the final wild card spot last year and never really seemed to gain any traction as the year went on. They were also very streaky, winning a few then losing a few. Rinse, repeat.
New head coach Paul Maurice is going to look to improve the conditioning and fitness of the Jets, warning the team that there was a grueling camp ahead of them. He’ll need to help change the losing culture in Winnipeg and get the most out of his team if there are hopes to sneak into the playoffs this year.
Improving in the Central Division will go a long way, as their 9-15-5 record last season just won’t cut it if they hope to get back to some spring hockey. They’ll get a chance to set the tone early as four of their first seven home games are against divisional opponents.
2. What is going on with Evander Kane?
This offseason, the speculation ratcheted up particularly high in regards to Kane and just what his future with the Jets might be.
Make no mistake about it: the Jets want to keep Kane in the fold. There aren’t many like him: he’s got the size (6’2” 200), the skill and the fire to become a premier power forward in the NHL, but he’s still got to put it together. At 23-years-old, he’s got a long career ahead of him.
The Jets and Kane seem to be at odds, but the franchise needs to make it clear to him just how valuable a player he is and let him know that they’d love nothing more than to keep the talented youngster in the mix for the forseeable future.
3. What’s going to happen with Michael Frolik?
The 26-year-old Czech submitted one of his strongest seasons as a pro, scoring 15 goals and 42 points in 81 games last year and is one of the more popular players on the team. He inked a one-year deal in the offseason, leaving the door open for questions.
The two sides are allowed to negotiate beginning in January and depending on how they go, we could all learn quickly about Frolik’s future in Winnipeg. Of course, it also depends on how the team is performing by then: if they’re in the hunt, they will likely retain his services and make the push towards the playoffs, letting the chips fall where they may in the offseason. If they’re flailing again, he could be sold off at the trade deadline to recoup assets.
4. How long will the Jets stick with Ondrej Pavelec?
Last year was a trying one for the Jets, but it was a particularly trying one for their starting goaltender. The 27-year-old Pavelec posted a 22-26-7 record, but even worse were his save percentage (.901) and goals against average (3.01). Unfortunately, that’s not terribly far off from his career averages (.906%, 2.96 GAA).
Unfortunately for the Jets, there are no other viable options in the short-term. Pavelec is their guy for better or worse (more than likely worse) and they’ll need to rally around him if they hope to see any improvement on his end.
If the Jets want to sniff the playoffs once again, he’ll need to get close to the .914% and 2.73 GAA he posted way back in 2010-11, when the Jets were still in Atlanta.
5. Which, if any, prospects can we expect to see this year?
Center Adam Lowry, all 6’5” 201 of him, will get a good, long look in camp this fall. He obviously brings size to the table, but he’s a strong two-way center who can kill penalties and chip in offensively. He might need a little seasoning in the AHL, but with the Jets’ need at center, he could force his way into the lineup sooner than later.
The guy to watch, though, is defenseman Josh Morrissey. Morrisey, the 13th overall pick in 2013, is a smooth-skating offensive defenseman who spent last year lighting it up for Prince Albert of the WHL and had a solid 10 points in 28 games for St. John’s of the AHL. At the very worst, he’ll likely make the team out of camp and get an extended look before being sent back down.
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