I was just thinking today about the possible implication's of Ladd signing here long term and the Left Wingers were currently have, as well as those coming up the system.
Right now we have Ladd, Perreault, Burmi and Petan as our main Left Wingers.
Ladd: Ladd still seems to be in the prime years of his career and hasn't slowed down yet. He should be coming off this season with an extension, though Chevy and Co. may choose to trade him at the deadline if the team fails to remain in the playoff race, it's unlikely they do, but it's a possibility. If we resign him I'm guessing it's at least a 5 year contract, probably more. So that is 5+ years of a $6+million Ladd. It's unpredictable where he will drop off but I'm guessing he remains a top 9 player until at least 35 years old.
Perreault: Perry is still young at 27 and looks to be hitting his prime as an injury prone but still productive 40+ point winger. He's also versatile enough to play any position up front and for his size is a very physical guy. Someone the Jets surely love. After this season he has 1 year left on his contract @ $3mill.
Burmistrov: It's unclear yet whether 24 year old Burmi will ever become the player he was drafted to be but that is looking less and less likely. He will still have spot in the NHL as a capable bottom 6 checking winger and Penalty killer. He has one year left after this year and about $1.5 mill. He could prove to be a valuable trade deadline piece as he remains a RFA. Though the Jets may choose to keep him, though his role will continue to be a bottom 6 checking winger.
Petan: Petaning is a thing. Nic looks like he isn't far away from being a capable middle 6 NHL player. By next year he could easily be slotting into that role. This leaves many question to be answered at that point. Such as who goes down to the 4th line and where dos Petan fit best? My opinion is that the Jets are grooming Petan to replace Perreault. He may already be a better puck mover and will be just as much of a force on the PP. He needs to work on his physical game to match that of Perreault's but Petan sure can set up a play.
What will really dictate the Jets decisions is the kids coming up, some that could make an impact as early as next year.
Connor: Many around HFJets think that the Jets will develop Connor as a Left winger. If that is the case I believe he will be groomed as Ladd's replacement on the 1st line. The talent is certainly there. He plays a strong two-way game already at a young age, something the Jets place a heavy emphasis on for Ladd. He already has a killer shot, is a great playmaker and has blazing fast speed. So much speed that he is already probably top 3 in the Jets organization. If his play in the NCAA continues I think the Jets will try to sign him into the organization next summer. If he signs, there is a chance that he could blow the doors down at camp just like Ehlers did this year. Though it's likely the Jets will have him play with the Moose for a season first.
Lemieux: Brenden has already demonstrated that he can play "his" game at the NHL level and was one of the last cuts at this years camp. His blend of tenacious checking, defensive play, net front agitation and offensive upside are perfect for a bottom 6 role on any team and next year he will not be getting sent down without a fight.
Foley: I have not seen anything from Foley yet but from his scouting reports he looks to be another agitating winger with scoring upside. His chances of getting a contract soon are probably on hold until he can prove to the Jets org that he deserves one. So I wouldn't pencil him in until we see what he can accomplish at the NCAA level.
Blomqvist: I have seen a very large amount of Blomqvist and may have soured on him a bit during that time. He has huge size and is a good skater considering. He is much like a Tyler Myers on forward though not as agile and though he has good hands for a big guy they are not anywhere near Myers level. I don't think Blomer will be a threat to force our hand on the LW for a few years though if it all.
So with all that being said we have;
1 Player (Ladd) whose contract expires this year.
2 Players (Perreault, Burmi) whose contracts expire next year
1 Player (Petan) looking to move into the top 9.
1 Player (Lemieux) looking to crack the lineup.
1 Outside player (Connor) who could easily force our hands like Ehlers
2 Players (Foley, Blomqvist) that we really don't have to worry about.
In my opinion we are most likely going to have to make a move on one of (Perreault or Burmi) next year and if Connor forces our hands possibly both.
Remember this is all speculation at this point but who do we move or re-sign or send down to make room for the talent coming in?
Down the road if Connor does indeed crack the lineup and live up to expectations. What happens with Ladd? Does signing him end up handicapping us down the road as he moves further down the lineup while Petan and Connor move up? Or are we okay with paying a player outside the top 6, $6+ mil for a smaller but still important role?
Right now we have Ladd, Perreault, Burmi and Petan as our main Left Wingers.
Ladd: Ladd still seems to be in the prime years of his career and hasn't slowed down yet. He should be coming off this season with an extension, though Chevy and Co. may choose to trade him at the deadline if the team fails to remain in the playoff race, it's unlikely they do, but it's a possibility. If we resign him I'm guessing it's at least a 5 year contract, probably more. So that is 5+ years of a $6+million Ladd. It's unpredictable where he will drop off but I'm guessing he remains a top 9 player until at least 35 years old.
Perreault: Perry is still young at 27 and looks to be hitting his prime as an injury prone but still productive 40+ point winger. He's also versatile enough to play any position up front and for his size is a very physical guy. Someone the Jets surely love. After this season he has 1 year left on his contract @ $3mill.
Burmistrov: It's unclear yet whether 24 year old Burmi will ever become the player he was drafted to be but that is looking less and less likely. He will still have spot in the NHL as a capable bottom 6 checking winger and Penalty killer. He has one year left after this year and about $1.5 mill. He could prove to be a valuable trade deadline piece as he remains a RFA. Though the Jets may choose to keep him, though his role will continue to be a bottom 6 checking winger.
Petan: Petaning is a thing. Nic looks like he isn't far away from being a capable middle 6 NHL player. By next year he could easily be slotting into that role. This leaves many question to be answered at that point. Such as who goes down to the 4th line and where dos Petan fit best? My opinion is that the Jets are grooming Petan to replace Perreault. He may already be a better puck mover and will be just as much of a force on the PP. He needs to work on his physical game to match that of Perreault's but Petan sure can set up a play.
What will really dictate the Jets decisions is the kids coming up, some that could make an impact as early as next year.
Connor: Many around HFJets think that the Jets will develop Connor as a Left winger. If that is the case I believe he will be groomed as Ladd's replacement on the 1st line. The talent is certainly there. He plays a strong two-way game already at a young age, something the Jets place a heavy emphasis on for Ladd. He already has a killer shot, is a great playmaker and has blazing fast speed. So much speed that he is already probably top 3 in the Jets organization. If his play in the NCAA continues I think the Jets will try to sign him into the organization next summer. If he signs, there is a chance that he could blow the doors down at camp just like Ehlers did this year. Though it's likely the Jets will have him play with the Moose for a season first.
Lemieux: Brenden has already demonstrated that he can play "his" game at the NHL level and was one of the last cuts at this years camp. His blend of tenacious checking, defensive play, net front agitation and offensive upside are perfect for a bottom 6 role on any team and next year he will not be getting sent down without a fight.
Foley: I have not seen anything from Foley yet but from his scouting reports he looks to be another agitating winger with scoring upside. His chances of getting a contract soon are probably on hold until he can prove to the Jets org that he deserves one. So I wouldn't pencil him in until we see what he can accomplish at the NCAA level.
Blomqvist: I have seen a very large amount of Blomqvist and may have soured on him a bit during that time. He has huge size and is a good skater considering. He is much like a Tyler Myers on forward though not as agile and though he has good hands for a big guy they are not anywhere near Myers level. I don't think Blomer will be a threat to force our hand on the LW for a few years though if it all.
So with all that being said we have;
1 Player (Ladd) whose contract expires this year.
2 Players (Perreault, Burmi) whose contracts expire next year
1 Player (Petan) looking to move into the top 9.
1 Player (Lemieux) looking to crack the lineup.
1 Outside player (Connor) who could easily force our hands like Ehlers
2 Players (Foley, Blomqvist) that we really don't have to worry about.
In my opinion we are most likely going to have to make a move on one of (Perreault or Burmi) next year and if Connor forces our hands possibly both.
Remember this is all speculation at this point but who do we move or re-sign or send down to make room for the talent coming in?
Down the road if Connor does indeed crack the lineup and live up to expectations. What happens with Ladd? Does signing him end up handicapping us down the road as he moves further down the lineup while Petan and Connor move up? Or are we okay with paying a player outside the top 6, $6+ mil for a smaller but still important role?
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