WINNIPEG, MANITOBA
On the evening prior to the start of the 2015-2016 Winnipeg Jets season, a team dinner is held. The night is filled with fun and laughs, although there is always a nervous energy in the room. You can see it in the faces of every man in that room, from the coaches, to the players, and the front office. Last season did not end the way the Jets had hoped, and the arms race in the Western Conference continues. You can anticipate a dog fight to the very end, and many skilled teams will not make the playoffs. That fact is the cause of the nervous energy in Winnipeg tonight.
Each year, the coaching staff, front office, and captains all speak to the team in regards to what they expect this season.
"You all have the talent," said Head Coach Paul MacLean. "Don't lose sight of how good you all are, individually and as a team. Keep the confidence high, good things will happen."
Captain Andrew Ladd has a very simple message for his team mates.
"We're family. We will stand up for each other every night that we play, and as long as we can do that game after game, we will be successful."
Andrew Ladd currently has two years left on his current contract. A re-negotiation of the contract can begin in the coming offseason, but no one in Winnipeg is worried about their captain leaving town.
"We'll get it done," said General Manager Sean Croft. "Andrew is as good a hockey player, leader, and human being that you can find. He's been vocal about wanting to retire as a Jet. We want that too. I'm not worried at all."
Ladd is coming off of an 87 point season last year, and will be back on the first line along side Travis Zajac. That leaves most wondering what the Jets will do with the right wing spot on their top line. Last season's early acquisition of Mikhail Grabovski paid off for the Jets. In 73 games, Grabovski scored 30 goals and added 40 assists. It would make sense to keep him where he found the most success, but youngster Brendan Gallagher seems ready to finally make the leap the Jets have been waiting for since trading for him 2 years ago.
His pre-season numbers were impressive: 3 goals and 7 assists in 8 games. Grabovski was very good as well, scoring once and adding 5 helpers. What the Jets need to weigh out is whether or not they believe that Grabovski can gel with Olli Jokinen. The Kuopio, Finland native is entering the final year of his contract with the Jets, and perhaps his final season in the NsHL. His game has transitioned as he has matured. His game is now focused more around winning faceoffs and tallying up assists, rather than lighting the lamp on his own. Putting both of these players on the same line would stack the top line as far as goals, but may leave something to be desired on line two, unless they believe Brock Nelson can carry the line on his own. All indications right now point to the Jets putting Grabovski back on the first line. I believe they like they idea of having at least two scorers on each of their top lines.
The third line will be a new look this year to. Nathan Gerbe was originally touted as a top line player after his 60 point season two years ago, although his numbers seem to be back to his normal 40-50 point range. Joining him this season will be AsHL call-up Shawn Matthias and newly signed free agent Dominic Moore. The Jets had problems winning faceoffs when it came to their bottom lines and penalty kills last season. The Moore signing was essential for Winnipeg, as he is seen as someone who can win faceoffs regularly, and tends to be responsible defensively.
The fourth line will be centered by another AsHL call up, Zack Phillips. Last season for the Ice Caps, Phillips was dazzling. He was second on the team with 91 points, and won over half of his faceoffs. His faceoffs percentage remained steady in the pre-season for the Jets. The only concern for the team at this point was his -4, as they believe he is more responsible defensively. Joining him this year are Swedish veteran Pierre- Edouard Bellemare and left wing Bryan Bickell. The 29 year old left wing is entering this season hoping to bounce back from what was a less than stellar 2014-2015 campaign. He played in all 82 games, but only registered 10 points and was a dreadful -28. With younger players like Calle Jarnkrok and Andy Andreoff playing well in the AsHL, this could be Bickell's last chance to make it work in Manitoba.
The defense will be anchored by Brent Seabrook on the top line. Seabrook is entering the first year of a 6 year contract extension, and will likely be with his usual partner, Kevin Bieksa. It is safe to say that you'll see Ryan Ellis and Scott Hannan reunited, leaving newcomer Nate Prosser to play with Matt Gilroy. It is believed that the Jets would like to extend Gilroy for a few more years, however, sources close to him have said that he is considering a move to Europe. If things fall flat for the Jets again, you can assume that he will be a deadline day casualty.
Ben Scrivens remains the #1 goaltender on the roster, and will be backed up by Niklas Backstrom, who the Jets signed this summer after trading for his negotiation rights. The talk early on was that Calvin Pickard may be called up to the big show to be the full time back up to Scrivens after an impressive run in the NsHL last season, and a phenomenal AsHL season. However, the Jets front office believed it was better to bring in a veteran on a short term deal to give Pickard at least another season to develop in the minors. The team hopes that Backstrom is an upgrade over last years back up situation, but an unimpressive pre-season has left the team less than comfortable sources say.
Your opening night lineup will likely lay out as I described it:
Ladd-Zajac-Grabovski
Nelson-Jokinen-Gallagher
Matthias-Moore-Gerbe
Bickell-Phillips-Bellemare
Scrivens
Backstrom
Noticeably absent from that roster is 2014's #1 Overall Pick Sam Reinhart. The 20 year old was hoping he'd make the team this season, however the Jets thought it would be best for the cornerstone center to play one more year in juniors.
"We had a long conversation about it," said Sean Croft. "I sat him down in my office right after our prospect camp. I told him that he looked great, a big improvement from last year, but I don't want to rush him into a situation here. It would be better for him to play another year in juniors, hone his skills more, and that we would certainly look into what happens next year."
"I was disappointed, but at the same time I appreciated the honesty," commented Reinhart after his first game with Kootenay. "They made it clear what they want to see from me, my game is still a little raw and frankly, I trust what they're doing and what they are telling me to do."
The 2015-2016 Winnipeg Jets seem to be an improved team. They are better defensively, have an elite top 6, and will win more faceoffs. It's just a matter of playing consistently and putting steady wins together. It is their only hope to make the playoffs, considering how tough the West has been.
Jay Trotter
Jet Fuel
