Niku was HARDLY the solution to our problem. We had a good look at Sami and I think he did a great job and shows promise as a #4 ish guy. He has warts in his game and probably would have been exposed in a heavy series like this.
I was going to say at least now we know what we have for a team, but I honestly think we won't really know until we see how the team comes back next year. Which players will rededicate themselves to excellence? There are certain players who will have to do a lot of soul searching in the off season.
Scheifele, Hellebuyck, Roslovic, Ehlers, and Byfuglien simply have to be MUCH better if we are going to do anything with this group.
- Scheifele: was better in the playoffs but his season was really kind of shocking. I never expected that from a rink rat like Mark.
- Hellebuyck: came down to earth this year. Did he take it easy in the off season, thinking he'd 'figured it out'? He looked a LOT like 16-17 Hellebuyck. He wasn't BAD but we did not get saves from him when we needed them most. He allowed 3 goals in 7 shots in the 3rd in game 5 and the first shot he faced in game 6.
- Roslovic: not much to say. Jack did... Jack last year. I really felt he was shaping up to be KFC part 2 but yikes.
- Ehlers: I wonder how much his injury continued to dog him in the rest of the year. He just never looked right. He needs to get stronger in the offseason and get mentally prepared to play a man's game in the playoffs. He was practically invisible again.
- Byfuglien: I wanted to give Buff a pass as he was coming back from injury, but his problems were between his ears. When we needed a leader most, he collapsed. That dumb, soft play on Sundqvist that tied game 5, backing into his own goalie in game 6 in the first minute, and that mind numbingly stupid punch to Perron in the bench resulting in the second goal. This guy is supposed to put the team on his back, not sit on them.
- Laine: I hope and believe that Patty turned a corner in these playoffs. He seems to be the opposite of Ehlers, a made for the playoffs performer. He scored, he was physical, he made plays, all under pressure. We just need to see that consistently over the regular season next year, too
Have to go:
- Perreault: This guy is the definition of energy, unfocused. What people accused Tanev of early in his career is what MP is, now. He skates all over, is out of position, falls down, cannot convert chances, and takes horrible penalties. We have this guy for 4.125MM cap hit for 2 more years? No.
- Trouba: I am not blind to the fact that Jacob Trouba is our best RHD. I know we have some pretty critical issues with defensive depth, as in top end talent. However, Jacob Trouba does not want to be in Winnipeg. I am not going to get into the minutae of how I know this or his history, but anyone who has followed JT closely either knows this to be true, or has a strong inkling. He played a very emotionless game in this playoffs, and he lacked the intensity that your top pair D needs to be effective. He and Buff were major culprits in our first round exit. I'd trade Trouba and look to move some pieces around to get a replacement. The Jets have the assets to do it.
Need to be recognized:
- Wheeler: People ragged on Blake most of this year, which really shocked me. We don't really know if he was conjoined with Scheifele due to his own wants, or the coaches stubbornness. Despite that, he did not play with the same 'malaise' and lack of execution as Scheifele did. Yes, I think 55's play made Wheeler less effective at times this year, but he still managed to score a career high 92 points, good for 14th overall and 4th amongst right wingers.
- Chiarot: Ben has suffered from people having made up their minds about him long ago and failing to see the amazing growth in his game. One of the complaints I still see about him is his gap, and that is valid (and something for him to continue to work on). However, his play with the puck in his own zone has been nothing short of a transformation. He used to panic with the puck, ice it, throw it up the wall for a giveaway when he faced pressure. He has such a calmness about his game now. He holds onto the puck a bit longer, turns back, makes that quick smart pass. He rarely turns the puck over in the Jets half of the ice. He has quietly become one of the Jets steadiest defensemen, and he was very good in this playoff series. Extremely physical and smart. I was very impressed with him.
- Little: Bryan just continues to do Bryan things. He is a really great all round forward, and though he may not be flashy, he can do anything and play anywhere in the lineup. A key player to hold onto.
I think a minor retool is in order in the offseason. We will see if Chevy is overly cautious - as we still have a terribly young team.
. I am actually going to get to spend a few weeks this summer in Manitoba. Really looking forward to it. 
great post by Jet (newspaper quality) above!
