Whileee
Registered User
- May 29, 2010
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Having a hard time watching the rest of this game, so I thought it would be a good time to review performances for this playoff series, with an eye to the changes the team will need to make to take another step. This kind of performance can be clarifying for management. I'll start with my perspective, for what it's worth.
Forwards:
Scheifele - Overall, Scheifele was okay, but still can't be relied on in all zones. His playoff was reminiscent of most of his season. A bit too anxious for offense, and not focused enough defensively to be the kind of #1 C the Jets will need. I'm generally confident that he can refocus next season, but there is some concern.
Wheeler - He played hard, but his limitations came into sharp focus. He has an increasing tendency to coast with the puck, and stand too still in his own zone. Overall, he still looks like he can lead and be effective, but you really wonder about whether the Jets need to split Wheeler and Scheifele to give Wheeler a chance for a different role.
Connor - Had some good moments, but really struggled with a heavy game, especially in his own zone. He's a keeper, but not the sort of all around winger that the Jets need more of.
Laine - An encouraging playoff, after a very discouraging regular season. He's definitely a keeper and shows signs that he can be a playoff difference maker. He needs to work diligently on his speed and quickness and skills in the off-season. But he's a core player going forward.
Ehlers - Very disappointing playoffs, after a disappointing playoff last year. He's a marvelous talent, but just doesn't have the edge and physicality to exert his game in the playoffs. I think he'll develop that. I don't think he's mature enough yet, though.
Little - Very solid playoff, as a third line type. He's not good enough to make an impact at 2C, and might need to be more of a 3C / winger in the coming seasons.
Perreault - Really disappointed with his play this season. He is a good play driver, but is undisciplined and impetuous. Odd man out in the future, I think.
Hayes - I think he was better than his ice time. Poorly used by Maurice. Too expensive for the Jets going forward, though I think he'd be a decent fit.
Copp - Strong playoff after a strong season. He's a solid workhorse with a decent skillset. He's a keeper.
Lowry - A big playoff game. He lacks some offense and ideally would be in a 4th line role, but he's a core player.
Tanev - Hard not to like him. He brings the heat and speed every shift. His play with the puck gets better and better. Would love to keep him.
Roslovic - I thought his playoff was very encouraging, overall. He showed a lot of jam and speed and created chances in his limited time.
Forwards summary: The Jets really have a couple of needs - another big, fast winger that can play a heavy game and a C that can play in the #2 role. They also need to split up Scheifele and Wheeler to spread out the size, speed and leadership. They need to shake up the way they deploy them. I hope Vesalainen fills the gap on wing, but I wouldn't rule out Appleton as a strong contender.
Defense:
Byfuglien - Strong start to the playoffs, but when he fell off the rails he fell hard. We saw way too much bad Buff as the series wore on. He looked too slow and tired defensively, and gave up a ton of grade A chances. The rust showed. I really hope he comes back in top shape next season, because we saw how the Jets are like when he's not good.
Trouba - Solid playoff overall. He didn't play up to a #1 level, though. He is who he is. A solid top pairing D that the Jets should try to keep, but if he's gone, not irreplaceable.
Morrissey - Was a shadow of himself in the playoffs. Too often out of position, didn't win enough puck battles, and hasn't shown any real offensive flair. I think the rust showed, but he was a disappointment.
Myers - Surprisingly, might have been the best RD defensively in the playoffs. He drives me crazy very often, but I have to grudgingly say he had a good season and a good playoff. He wasn't the Jets biggest problem as the series wore on.
Chiarot - He played hard, and has reached a level that few expected a few seasons ago. But the Jets need more talent on the back end, and this slot is where it starts.
Kulikov - Decent effort. He's a gamer. But he's limited in his skills and IQ. Can't see him being back.
Defense summary: Big changes are likely. They really looked questionable in the series. I could see them shaking it up. Trouba might not be as irreplaceable as we might think.
Hellebuyck: He had some rough spots, but overall I think he showed that he can carry the load for a winner. Every goalie gives up some weak ones, but he's a battler and I think the Jets are in good shape with him in net.
Maurice: I was disappointed with how he used his personnel all season. He overplayed Scheifele and Wheeler and Buff, and they were gassed. He's right that this was a tough schedule, but it's his job to manage minutes. He failed to get Hayes integrated into the lineup, which was a big deficit. He never split up Scheifele and Wheeler, which was a major issue. He'll be back, but he'll need to think break his rather solid mold and try some new approaches.
Forwards:
Scheifele - Overall, Scheifele was okay, but still can't be relied on in all zones. His playoff was reminiscent of most of his season. A bit too anxious for offense, and not focused enough defensively to be the kind of #1 C the Jets will need. I'm generally confident that he can refocus next season, but there is some concern.
Wheeler - He played hard, but his limitations came into sharp focus. He has an increasing tendency to coast with the puck, and stand too still in his own zone. Overall, he still looks like he can lead and be effective, but you really wonder about whether the Jets need to split Wheeler and Scheifele to give Wheeler a chance for a different role.
Connor - Had some good moments, but really struggled with a heavy game, especially in his own zone. He's a keeper, but not the sort of all around winger that the Jets need more of.
Laine - An encouraging playoff, after a very discouraging regular season. He's definitely a keeper and shows signs that he can be a playoff difference maker. He needs to work diligently on his speed and quickness and skills in the off-season. But he's a core player going forward.
Ehlers - Very disappointing playoffs, after a disappointing playoff last year. He's a marvelous talent, but just doesn't have the edge and physicality to exert his game in the playoffs. I think he'll develop that. I don't think he's mature enough yet, though.
Little - Very solid playoff, as a third line type. He's not good enough to make an impact at 2C, and might need to be more of a 3C / winger in the coming seasons.
Perreault - Really disappointed with his play this season. He is a good play driver, but is undisciplined and impetuous. Odd man out in the future, I think.
Hayes - I think he was better than his ice time. Poorly used by Maurice. Too expensive for the Jets going forward, though I think he'd be a decent fit.
Copp - Strong playoff after a strong season. He's a solid workhorse with a decent skillset. He's a keeper.
Lowry - A big playoff game. He lacks some offense and ideally would be in a 4th line role, but he's a core player.
Tanev - Hard not to like him. He brings the heat and speed every shift. His play with the puck gets better and better. Would love to keep him.
Roslovic - I thought his playoff was very encouraging, overall. He showed a lot of jam and speed and created chances in his limited time.
Forwards summary: The Jets really have a couple of needs - another big, fast winger that can play a heavy game and a C that can play in the #2 role. They also need to split up Scheifele and Wheeler to spread out the size, speed and leadership. They need to shake up the way they deploy them. I hope Vesalainen fills the gap on wing, but I wouldn't rule out Appleton as a strong contender.
Defense:
Byfuglien - Strong start to the playoffs, but when he fell off the rails he fell hard. We saw way too much bad Buff as the series wore on. He looked too slow and tired defensively, and gave up a ton of grade A chances. The rust showed. I really hope he comes back in top shape next season, because we saw how the Jets are like when he's not good.
Trouba - Solid playoff overall. He didn't play up to a #1 level, though. He is who he is. A solid top pairing D that the Jets should try to keep, but if he's gone, not irreplaceable.
Morrissey - Was a shadow of himself in the playoffs. Too often out of position, didn't win enough puck battles, and hasn't shown any real offensive flair. I think the rust showed, but he was a disappointment.
Myers - Surprisingly, might have been the best RD defensively in the playoffs. He drives me crazy very often, but I have to grudgingly say he had a good season and a good playoff. He wasn't the Jets biggest problem as the series wore on.
Chiarot - He played hard, and has reached a level that few expected a few seasons ago. But the Jets need more talent on the back end, and this slot is where it starts.
Kulikov - Decent effort. He's a gamer. But he's limited in his skills and IQ. Can't see him being back.
Defense summary: Big changes are likely. They really looked questionable in the series. I could see them shaking it up. Trouba might not be as irreplaceable as we might think.
Hellebuyck: He had some rough spots, but overall I think he showed that he can carry the load for a winner. Every goalie gives up some weak ones, but he's a battler and I think the Jets are in good shape with him in net.
Maurice: I was disappointed with how he used his personnel all season. He overplayed Scheifele and Wheeler and Buff, and they were gassed. He's right that this was a tough schedule, but it's his job to manage minutes. He failed to get Hayes integrated into the lineup, which was a big deficit. He never split up Scheifele and Wheeler, which was a major issue. He'll be back, but he'll need to think break his rather solid mold and try some new approaches.