My top 12 (WHA 1972-1979) (NHL 1.0 1979-1996) (NHL 2.0 2011-present)
1. Sjoberg
-should be everyones defecto #1, but I can appreciate that few saw him play. I used to have one of these white WHA pucks that he signed for me when I was a kid. Sadly like an idiot I used it one day and it got stolen from the rink.
2. Numminen
-"Teppo picking up the Tempo" was a sign my friends always brought to the old barn and hung from the upper deck. A complete player if there was ever one.
3. Babych
-The Babych trade remains the one of the worst hockey deals ever, Dave went on to play another 15 year in the NHL. Neufeld was out of the NHL within 3 years of that god awful trade.
4. Ellett
-The Ellett trade wasn't much better. Although Olyczk became a fan favourite, he was always in the coaches doghouse despite being a point per game player. Was often stapled to the bench due to his one dimensional game. Another horrible trade.
5. Carlyle
-Was never the biggest fan of Carlisle. He never put up the numbers in Winnipeg that he did in Pittsburgh. That trade resulted in the Penguins drafting Bodger who was putting up offensive numbers as good as Carlisle's from his rookie season onward which always left me wondering "what if?" Carlisle was one of those players who was a borderline goon and I always preferred the rest of our Fab Four over him.
6. Byfuglien
-Byfuglien could very well leap frog several of the above with a solid playoff this year. Could see him as a potential Conn Smythe winner if the Jets go all the way.
7. Housley
-Housely was a dynamic addition to the Jet 1.0 & his chemistry with Selanne in his rookie year was undeniable. Still, hard to accept that Mike Smith dealt Hawerchuk for him.
8. Enstrom
-like Sjoberg, Babych, Carlisle & Ellett, Enstrom's best hockey wasn't played in Winnipeg. At his peak he'd be ranked higher. He was injured the first 20 something games when the Jets returned & there were some high offensive expectations that went unfulfilled. More injuries during the lockout season after which he was a shadow of his former self. Still great defensively right to the end and his numbers in Europe suggest he could still be playing on our 2nd or 3rd pairing.
9 & 10 Morrissey & Trouba
-Morrissey/Trouba. Great reading the Morrissey draft thread, lots of hilarious hot takes. Morrissey my favourite Jet at the moment. Plan to convert my Bogo jersey to his. Trouba & he are interchangeable in this list at the moment, but in the long run I'm giving Josh the nod over Jake.
11. Olausson
-another fave. Always loved my Swedes! Remember him originally as a forward, but that didn't last long. The poster boy for getting netting added to protect fans. Frequently sent slap shots directly into what would today be the Budweiser Lounge, often just below us in the cheap 7-11 seats we sat in in high school. Took out at least one usher who had his back to the puck.
12. Watters
-Watters was very underrated. A late round pick that exceeded all expectations in his career. One of the only times I actively cheered for an NHL team besides the Jets was the Kings 1992 cup run. Pulled for Timmy big time!
