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Jeremy Wiebe The Hockey Writers

Published on Saturday, February 21, 2015

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Future May Start Sooner For The Jets

Before we go any further, some clarification. The Winnipeg Jets should not call up any of their top prospects for the stretch drive. Even with Mathieu Perrault sidelined for the rest of the regular season with a lower body injury which led to the questionable move of Adam Pardy to forward for one game, the Jets are better off keeping their prized prospects in junior or St. John’s. That should change next year.

Electrifying Ehlers

When training camp rolls around next fall, the Jets will have to take a long, hard look at where they stand with their prized youngsters. Nikolaj Ehlers is tearing up the QMJHL this season, netting 78 points (28 goals, 50 assists) in just 39 games. Yes, Ehlers is averaging two points a game which includes a 30-game point streak which had at least one former junior teammate impressed.

The Jets first round pick in the 2014 draft is a dynamic player who has outgrown junior hockey. It’s a shame that Ehlers can’t play in St. John’s because of an agreement between the NHL and CHL that forces NHL teams to return their prospects with junior eligibility to their respective CHL teams instead of their AHL affiliate. Be that as it may, Ehlers will be closely watched when the Jets report to camp in September. If he shines, the Jets will have no choice but to keep him on the big club.

Goalie On The Rise

Goaltending has been an issue with the Jets since their arrival to Winnipeg in 2011. Ondrej Pavelec’s troubles are well documented so we’ll stop beating a dead horse. Michael Hutchinson was on a tremendous role early in the season, but his play has dropped off in recent weeks.

Meanwhile down at the rock, Connor Hellebuyck has been a bright light for St. John’s. In 43 appearances the UMass Lowell alum has a .925 save percentage, to go with a 2.43 GAA and 5 shutouts.

 

He easily supplanted veteran Peter Budaj as the number one goalie this season and was the IceCaps lone representative at last month’s AHL All-Star game. IceCaps head coach Keith McCambridge had glowing words for Hellebuyck in this interview with NHL.com.

“We see a guy that has been our No. 1 guy, that has been running with it and hasn’t shown any signs of fatigue. That’s been a real strong point that we’ve been very aware of but haven’t seen any red flags pop up.”

With Hutchinson having just one year remaining on his existing contract and Pavelec’s future unknown, Hellebuyck may be asked to step in and take the reins.

Unlikely Trio

Josh Morrissey continues to develop nicely. The Kelowna Rockets defenceman has provided leadership and steadiness since coming over from Moose Jaw in a midseason trade. The Jets 2013 first round draft pick is on the right path, but he will likely need seasoning in St. John’s next year. Defenceman usually take longer to develop and the Jets would be wise not to rush Morrissey.

If there is one thing holding back Nic Petan it might be his size. The diminutive centre for the Portland Winterhawks has no shortage of dazzling skill. But his 5-9, 170 pound frame was enough to scare teams away, which made him available for the Jets to pick him up in the second round of the 2013 draft.

Petan’s numbers are down from last year, (11 goals, 46 assists in 40 games) compared to his 113 points from last season (35 goals, 78 assists in 63 games.) It is very likely that Petan will be in St. John’s next fall.

A player quickly rising through the ranks is Andrew Copp. The Jets fourth round pick in the 2013 draft is having an excellent season at the University of Michigan, recording 13 goals and 11 assists in just 26 games.

Copp also possesses leadership qualities as he is the Wolverines captain. If Copp decides to forgo his senior year at Ann Arbor, he will likely go to St. John’s next season to get acclimated with the pro schedule.

 


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