Rank The Best ALL-TIME Jet Defensemen!

[Jet]

So, that awesome Finnish thread with Teppo Numminen got me thinking - how would you rank the best defensemen ever to throw on a Winnipeg Jets sweater.

To keep it consistent - I am talking about performance while a Jet, not their careers overall.

Here's my shot at it:

• Teppo Numminen - Not the flashiest, but a career Jet and the most balanced defenseman.
• Phil Housley - Hard to put a HOF player second, but his defensive ability (liability) makes him a close second
• Dave Babych - Dave was the pillar of our defense when he played here. Also the moustache
• Dave Ellett - A rare breed of offensive defenseman that actually knew his way around his own end. He loses points by playing for the Leafs later
• Randy Carlyle - KITTY!
• Tobias Enstrom - Toby was an offensive beast and an ironman for the first couple years here. He transformed into a defensive specialist later. Really, really smart and overall high skill level.
• Dustin Byfuglien - Byfuglien, on his toolbox alone could top this list. He has really gotten better at the mental part of the game over the past year but it still holds him back at times.
• Fredrik Olausson - Freddie had some adventures in his own zone and was pretty soft but he had a high skill level and really great offensive instincts.

Honorable Mentions:

• Dave Manson - He wasn't as much of a goon with the Jets, but still a very physical force. He actually had a friggin cannon of a shot and produced offense for us.
• Josh Morrissey - Not enough input to put him in the top part of the list yet but he will be there no doubt.
• Serge Savard - So, I said based off of performance as a Jet, I know. BUT, I remember how absolutely thrilled I was when Savard came to play for Winnipeg. The LEGEND, author of the Savardian spinorama (probably to this day my only real move on the ice to evade forecheckers).

So, what do youse guys say?

Click to read more...

 

[voyageur]

1. Buff
2. Numminen
3. Morrissey
4. Ellett
5. Housley
6. Trouba
7. Myers
8. Babych
9. Enstrom
10. Marois

 

[Imcanadianeh]

Enstrom missed 20 games the first year and 26 the second year, I wouldn’t call that an iron man, also his offense from the Atlanta days never followed him to Winnipeg.

I don’t see how you can put in ahead of Buff.

 

[DowntownBooster]

I think consideration should also be given to Lars-Erik Sjoberg. Not only was he instrumental in all 3 Avco Cup championships for the Jets, he played a big role in quarterbacking the Hot Line from the back-end allowing them to play so effectively in their offensive roles. Sjoberg was a true leader (nicknamed "The Little General") and became the first non-North American born captain in both the WHA and NHL. Any list for the Jets all-time defencemen would be incomplete without Sjoberg.

 

[Inflict]

I had to pull out my old 90&91 Pro Set cards I collected as a kid to help me with this list!

Phil Housley - He's the De Facto number one on this list IMO. Hall of Famer, had a 97 point season for us and was one of few defensemen who played as a winger on the PP.

Dustin Byfuglien - Complete package. Stanley Cup winner and one of the most unique defensemen ever to play in the NHL.

Teppo Numinen - My favourite Jet after Selanne when I was a kid. Very good shutdown d-man.

Randy Carlyle - Norris Trophy winner (but not with the Jets) and a great two-way defensemen who wasn't afraid to play on the edge.

Fredrik Olausson - Remembered him as an offensive d-man who played very well for the Jets.

Tobias Enstrom - Became more of a shutdown d-man when the team moved to Winnipeg, Toby was a smart player who rarely made a mistake when the puck was on his stick.

Dave Ellett - Scored 22 goals one season as a Jet, which is quite a feat for a defensemen (according to my 1990 Pro Set card of him). Also says he was an honorary chairman of the Big Brothers Association in Winnipeg. Great player on and off the ice.

Jacob Trouba - Love him or hate him, he is a solid top pairing two-way defensemen that can play in all situations.

Moe Mantha - Maybe it was more of the name then the player, but he was another player I liked growing up. He was a good two-way player who had multiple stints as a Jet.

Can't really comment on many others as they were before my time.

 

[scelaton]

I think consideration should also be given to Lars-Erik Sjoberg. Not only was he instrumental in all 3 Avco Cup championships for the Jets, he played a big role in quarterbacking the Hot Line from the back-end allowing them to play so effectively in their offensive roles. Sjoberg was a true leader (nicknamed "The Little General") and became the first non-North American born captain in both the WHA and NHL. Any list for the Jets all-time defencemen would be incomplete without Sjoberg.

Couldn't agree more. Sjoberg was a brilliant player and leader. Curiously, I had just mentioned him in the other thread after not thinking about him for many years.
https://hfboards.mandatory.com/posts/148910065/
You know how people sometimes ask, which star player would you like to have dinner with? My answer would be Sjoberg, because of his mind (they called him The Professor) and because he was a hockey pioneer.
Unfortunately, most here did not have a chance to see him play--which probably explains why he wasn't in the initial ranking--and he died of cancer at a very young age. The Rangers, for whom he was scouting at the time, named an award after him.
He was the Jets first NHL captain, the first non-North American NHL captain and won multiple championships--a unique constellation of accomplishments.
Here is a short bio from the MB hockey Hall of Fame.
Sjoberg, Lars-Eric | Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame

 

[StumpyTown]

Sjoberg was a special player. I got to see him play a handful of times in the last couple of WHA seasons. My dad took me to the games and of course I knew of the heroes (Hull, Hedberg, and Nilsson), but even as an 8 year old I noticed Sjoberg and his silky smooth play. It was who I wanted to model my game after. (rather unsuccessfully, I might add) My dad had the privilege of meeting him a couple times as well and had commented at what a class act he was. I wish I could have had that chance.

 

[Jet]

Enstrom missed 20 games the first year and 26 the second year, I wouldn’t call that an iron man, also his offense from the Atlanta days never followed him to Winnipeg.

I don’t see how you can put in ahead of Buff.

I'm not sure how someone can put Buff and Morrissey above guys like Dave Ellet and HOF'er Phil Housley but they did

How old are you?

 

[Jet]

I think consideration should also be given to Lars-Erik Sjoberg. Not only was he instrumental in all 3 Avco Cup championships for the Jets, he played a big role in quarterbacking the Hot Line from the back-end allowing them to play so effectively in their offensive roles. Sjoberg was a true leader (nicknamed "The Little General") and became the first non-North American born captain in both the WHA and NHL. Any list for the Jets all-time defencemen would be incomplete without Sjoberg.

Honestly, I was too young to follow the Jets meaningfully in Avco Cup years - I will defer to your knowledge here.

 

[Imcanadianeh]

I'm not sure how someone can put Buff and Morrissey above guys like Dave Ellet and HOF'er Phil Housley but they did

How old are you?

You didn’t put Buff or Morrissey above Ellet or Housley so I don’t see what that has to do with my post.

I was more pointing out how Enstrom was far from an Ironman or the offensive player he was from Atlanta.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

Came here to suggest Sjoberg. I see I am not alone.

 

[10Ducky10]

delete

 

[Jets2point0]

It’s clearly Housley lol

 

[HannuJ]

i asked in an old thread if Kitty was actually a good d-man or just 1980's competent. all i remember is his goofy slapshot. looking like your Uncle Karl winding up after having a few scotches and feeling loose and limber.

I think we're ranking Davie Ellett a bit too high. he wasn't a journeyman d-man, but he wasn't elite either.

Housley had an insane few years with the Jets and he was pretty darn good with Buffalo.

 

[Channelcat]

1 Housley
2 Carlyle

 

[heilongjetsfan]

1. Igor Ulanov
2. Who cares
3. Who cares
4. Who cares
5. Who cares

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

1. Housely
2. Sjoberg
3. Carlyle

 

[sipowicz]

Man, so many people forget how weak defensively Housley was at times! Sjoberg, wow! His first, only and last year in the NHL wasn't a good one, to be fair he was already in his mid 30's by then!

Numinen (there should be no argument over this one)

Carlyle (his first years here)

Buff

Housley (benefited greatly from some very good Jets forwards to pad his stats)

Babs (pretty solid)

Ellett (underrated very good D man)

 

[MMANumminen]

My 3 favorites
Eminem
Houseley
Bufflin

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

Man, so many people forget how weak defensively Housley was at times! Sjoberg, wow! His first, only and last year in the NHL wasn't a good one, to be fair he was already in his mid 30's by then!

Numinen (there should be no argument over this one)

Carlyle (his first years here)

Buff

Housley (benefited greatly from some very good Jets forwards to pad his stats)

Babs (pretty solid)

Ellett (underrated very good D man)

Sjoberg was 31 when he first joined the WHA Jets. He was 36 for his 1 NHL season and was still not bad.

Housely was typical of the offensive D men of that time, I think. What they lost in defense, they made up in offense.

You may be right about Numminen. I forgot him. Pretty solid both ways.

 

[RoundJohn]

1 - Teppo Numminen
2 - Phil Housley
3 - Dave Babych
4 - Dustin Byfuglien
5 - Dave Ellett

Body of work for newer Jets like Trouba and Morrissey too small.

 

[voyageur]

1. Igor Ulanov
2. Who cares
3. Who cares
4. Who cares
5. Who cares

1. Igor Ulanov
2. Sergei Bautin
3. Jim Kyte
4. Shawn Cronin
5. Dallas Eakins
6. Mark Flood
7. Derek Meech
8. Rudy Poeschek
9. Bobby Dollas
10. Arto Blomsten

 

[Channelcat]

1 Housley
2 Carlyle

Numminen was excellent you could put him anywhere in that top 3. Ellett maybe 4. Tim Watters was an outstanding defensive D.

 

[Jets4Life]

Couldn't agree more. Sjoberg was a brilliant player and leader. Curiously, I had just mentioned him in the other thread after not thinking about him for many years.
Just dropping this here [Mod: cool pic of past and present Finnish Jets]
You know how people sometimes ask, which star player would you like to have dinner with? My answer would be Sjoberg, because of his mind (they called him The Professor) and because he was a hockey pioneer.
Unfortunately, most here did not have a chance to see him play--which probably explains why he wasn't in the initial ranking--and he died of cancer at a very young age. The Rangers, for whom he was scouting at the time, named an award after him.
He was the Jets first NHL captain, the first non-North American NHL captain and won multiple championships--a unique constellation of accomplishments.
Here is a short bio from the MB hockey Hall of Fame.
Sjoberg, Lars-Eric | Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame

That is all good and fine, but he was not the Bobby Orr of Sweden. Nickolas Lidstrom is.

 

[Jets4Life]

Numminen was excellent you could put him anywhere in that top 3. Ellett maybe 4. Tim Watters was an outstanding defensive D.

Numminen was underrated. An argument can be made that he was the Jets 1.0 best defenseman.