State of the JETS

Reasons for Optimism for a team stuck in neutral

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA- Training camps are open and preseason games are set to begin. Drafts are over and the most important Free Agents have found their new teams. Many players are settled in for the upcoming campaign (except for Boston players who set up homes in Air B&Bs). The 2023-2024 Campaign is here along with bundles of excitement.

That is, unless you are a DCHL JETS fan. The JETS had a very quiet offseason with a first time sweep and first round exit by GM Miller. The BLUES swept the JETS in 4 straight one-goal games and multiple Overtime Thrillers. Jonathan Quick  played admirably but one of the JETS strongest assets (the offense) failed to deliver in key moments. The only consolation is that the BLUES went on to win the Cup which offers only slight relief to those wondering what might have been?

Unfortunately, the JETS did not have a 1^st round pick in 2023 because they traded it to acquire a 2022 first that ended up being RUTGER MCGROARTY. The JETS also did not make a big splash in Free Agency either, opting to re-sign Jonathan Quick for one year and establishing depth in the bottom 4. The state of the JETS appears to be the definition of a car in neutral, which is not good for most jets except perhaps Harriers, which are old. Hopefully that is not a sign to come for this team.

For DCHL JETS fans, here are a few reasons to feel optimistic about the JETS this season.

1) The team only lost one key piece- The JETS went into the draft over the asset limit when accounting for incoming selections. However, they came out of the draft and UFA with minimal losses to the roster. The team did not get better through additions, but it also did not get much worse. The loss of MARK GIORDANO in UFA is a sting, but last year, the JETS ran 3 pairs with only 5 x NHL caliber defensemen. This year, NICK HOLDEN and NICK LEDDY suit up for the JETS turning one really good player into two potentially reliable options in lower lines. If MIRO HEISKANEN can play up to his NHL output, then one could make an argument this defense can be at least as good as when it won the cup a couple years ago. Of course it could be worse, but this is an article for optimism.

2) The draft went very well for WINNIPEG as far as leadership was concerned. The JETS tried to move up from multiple 3^rd round picks into at least multiple 2^nd round picks or even a single 1^st round. However, leadership did some research and decided to play the board to maximize 2^nd round value. The result was 4 x picks from the 2^nd round: Roman Kantserov, Martin Misiak, Danny Nelson, and Rasmus Kmpulainen. 3 x of these picks were made in the 3^rd round, despite the players NHL selections occurring in the 2^nd round. In later rounds, the JETS picked up German goalie, Arno Tefensee who Cory Pronman states had the opinion of NHL scouts as a potential sleeper of the draft. DALLAS STARS pick Angus MacDonnell was the last WINNIPEG selection at 212 and was invited to NHL DALLAS’ training camp this week. The draft will not yield new talent this season, but with no 1^st round selections, WINNIPEG did as good as it could get, and this sentiment was echoed by Two Bald Guys.

3) The Cal Petersen Reclamation Project is under way in NHL Philadelphia. The DCHL JETS took a lot of risk when re-signing Cal Petersen to a multi-year $5+ Million AAV. The reason was that goalies in the DCHL are expensive and there just were not many options heading into UFA to replace a backup AND a starting goalie. The JETS see themselves as lucky for reacquiring Jonathan Quick, but would like to see that luck continue with Cal Petersen returning to serviceable form in a new NHL setting. It is a long shot, but if Cal Petersen can play into a serviceable backup rating, then his contract will not hurt as bad. But if he can play up into a 1B role-rating, then maybe the JETS recoup some of that cost later in the deal. The risk is definitely there, and the next year or so is likely a loss, but the length of the deal leaves some opportunity for value later. This NHL season will be critical for Cal Petersen.

4) New settings and player progression affects all players differently. The NHL versions of RASUMUS KUPARI and GABE VILARDI made their way to WINNIPEG this summer. VILARDI was the object of several low-ball offers last season as he broke out in NHL LOS ANGELES. Now VILARDI can see himself in WINNIPEG BLUE playing in new roles unavailable to him in LA. Will RICK BOWNESS’ defensive preferences impact his progression and offense? That is a possibility, but VILARDI enters WINNIPEG with a “prove-it” season on his hands that impacts his ratings down the line. Another player progression storyline is NILS LUNDKVIST in NHL DALLAS. LUNDKVIST had his moments last season but failed to crack the lineup as an everyday player. DALLAS is committed to his development but if he can make the leap this season then maybe the combination of MIRO HEISKANEN and NILS LUNDKVIST provides long term offensive weapons from the blue line.

5) The last reason to be optimistic? Flexibility. The JETS maintain all their draft picks for 2024 and hold a WAS 3^rd in 2024. The JETS have not traded a draft selection either meaning a full pipeline of prospects is available for trade or on the way. One of the things the JETS overcame last year were long losing streaks, but unlike last year, this team does not need to commit to a playoffs or bust approach. GM Miller has only finished in the bottom 10 once in his DCHL tenure. If things start to go very bad this season, look for the JETS to maintain their best assets while using solid draft position to replenish future years. But the JETS could also add to the team if things are going well, so long as they can find the right partner.

THIS IS TIMOTHY REX REPORTING!