Post-Game Talk: Wild @ Jets • Tue Sep 22nd, 7PM • MTS Centre

[Whileee]

I was thinking if Petan and Ehlers both make it, they're getting top-9 roles. Petan probably slots in at wing, bumping Burmistrov to 3C and Lowry to 4C. Again, I think Petan is a long shot to make it this year (at least if last night's line combos are any indication).

I don't dislike Lowry, I just don't think he has anywhere near the offense to play a top-6 role. He has never been a bigger scorer in junior either. He's a decent third liner right now. Nothing more. He'd be an amazing 4th liner though (but not at all unrealistic IMO). Players playing below their talent level is a sign of a deep team (see Ladd and Frolik in Chicago).

He did have 45 goals one season in junior winning WHL player of the year. I think Lowry is a 3rd liner, with some upside.

 

[KingBogo]

Yup... Maurice indicated Little, Scheifele and Lowry down the middle as the top-3 C, with Burmi playing the role that Frolik had last year (starting on RW with Ladd and Little). Nice thing is that Burmi can play C, if needed, so he's a bit more versatile than Frolik.

The big question is really the 4th line. I think the top-9 is getting set.

Ladd-Little-Burmi
Stafford-Scheifele-Wheeler
Perreault-Lowry-Ehlers

I think Thorbs sticks around on the 4th line. The battle for the other two spots has Copp, Petan, Armia, Raffl, Halischuk and Lemieux. Lemieux might be a long shot because of his age / stage.

Peluso might step in for Thorbs in certain games.

The nice thing is that the Jets could ice two 4th lines better than any previous 4th line.

Is this a different presser than what is posted on the GDT? In that one it sounded like Maurice was planning to give Burmi a look with Ladd and Little, but more along the same lines as the look he wanted to give Lowry. I'd be pretty surprised if Burmi started the season there.

 

[KingBogo]

Ehlers was not outstanding. He was pushed off the puck all night. [mod]

Raffl was by far the best prospect and not even close.

Not sure what game you were watching? Ehlers demonstrated a very high level of skill and speed. No doubt he needs to learn how to adjust his speed to be more effective with his line mates, but the skill level is very impressive.

Raffl looked better than many thought for sure. But he is a 29 yo 10 year pro not a prospect. Based on the 1st game he has a shot to stick around.

 

[veganhunter]

He did have 45 goals one season in junior winning WHL player of the year. I think Lowry is a 3rd liner, with some upside.

His number weren't spectacular for someone his age in that league though.

 

[Uncle Bill]

Raffl isn't considered a prospect, FYI. He is a 29 year-old professional hockey player that you are comparing to young adults hoping to begin their professional careers. The reason he stood out against them should perhaps have been self-evident, no?

Add in he'd already played a league game in Europe. He should have had an edge. And, I thought he didn't look out of place.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

It would have to be him once Connor, Petan, and Ehlers are full-time NHLers. I'd package Perreault/Stafford and some excess forward prospects or picks for a top 6 upgrade -> again I like Perreault, but there's too many smalls.

1. Wheeler
2. Ladd
3. Little
4. Scheifele
5. Ehlers
6. Petan
7. Connor
8. Burmistrov
9. Trade (top six upgrade)

Makes up the top 9.

Lemieux, Lowry, and another player (prospect or fa) fills out the 4th line.

I don't agree. Scheif and Lowry will be playing C in our top 9 for the next 10 years.

There won't be room for all so there will have to be some trades made. A top 6 upgrade would be 1 target. Some higher end D prospects in the system would be another.

There are a lot of options in making up the lines and right now Mau is still trying different combinations. My impression of Ehlers from that 1 small sample against the Wild is that he could fit in with LL right now. Lemieux will play on our 4th line soon but not likely this year. Lipon could play there now. Armia was better against the Oilers but still comes up a little short.

Ladd - Little - Ehlers
Perreault - Scheifele - Wheeler
Burmi/Petan - Lowry - Stafford
Thor/Lemieux/Raffl - Copp/Burmi - Lipon/Armia/Fraser

We are already having trouble finding room for everyone. I have 5 extras/alternates listed there already. How many more do we need to make room for and how quickly? We need a spot for Petan. He is ready and too talented to waste in the AHL. Next year Connor, Roslovic the year after and Harkins the year after that. Or maybe add 1 year to each. Who of that group above doesn't stay around long? Stafford and Thor are fairly easy to part with. Then it starts to get difficult.

If we develop another top 9 C Little moves to RW displacing Stafford. Alternatively Scheif pushes Little down to the 2nd line. The other Cs in the system play wing. Lowry is more likely to move up to the 2nd line than down to the 4th. Maybe Harkins takes 3C.

How about this for this year?
Ladd - Little - Ehlers
Perreault - Scheifele - Wheeler
Petan - Lowry - Stafford
Thor - Burmi - Lipon

Petan gets a foot in the door. His passing skills can set up more scoring from both Lowry and Stafford. He is available for the 2nd PP. Burmi all the way down to the 4th line? He has a lot of puck skills but he doesn't translate them into goals. He is very good for possession though. He will help the 4th line get out of our end. He can be a PK specialist. He can move up to any position in the top 9 without hurting us. That means he will not actually play that much on the 4th. Copp can be called up when Burmi moves up. If they want to call up someone else for any reason Burmi can move up and Petan can rotate to 4C. There is a ton of flexibility there.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

I was thinking if Petan and Ehlers both make it, they're getting top-9 roles. Petan probably slots in at wing, bumping Burmistrov to 3C and Lowry to 4C. Again, I think Petan is a long shot to make it this year (at least if last night's line combos are any indication).

I don't dislike Lowry, I just don't think he has anywhere near the offense to play a top-6 role. He has never been a bigger scorer in junior either. He's a decent third liner right now. Nothing more. He'd be an amazing 4th liner though (but not at all unrealistic IMO). Players playing below their talent level is a sign of a deep team (see Ladd and Frolik in Chicago).

Burmi has never been that big a scorer either. Not seeing Lowry moving up to the top 6 is no argument for bumping him out of the top 9. It could happen as you say but I doubt it. If Ehlers and Petan both make the top 9 then someone has to be shifted to make room. I don't think it would be Lowry.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

Yup... Maurice indicated Little, Scheifele and Lowry down the middle as the top-3 C, with Burmi playing the role that Frolik had last year (starting on RW with Ladd and Little). Nice thing is that Burmi can play C, if needed, so he's a bit more versatile than Frolik.

The big question is really the 4th line. I think the top-9 is getting set.

Ladd-Little-Burmi
Stafford-Scheifele-Wheeler
Perreault-Lowry-Ehlers

I think Thorbs sticks around on the 4th line. The battle for the other two spots has Copp, Petan, Armia, Raffl, Halischuk and Lemieux. Lemieux might be a long shot because of his age / stage.

Peluso might step in for Thorbs in certain games.

The nice thing is that the Jets could ice two 4th lines better than any previous 4th line.

I assume the bolded is your addition. I think by the Frolik role he would have meant utility/possession/PK man.