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Jeremy Wiebe The Hockey Writers

Published on Saturday, March 21, 2015

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Rampaging Buffaloes. New Jets Fitting In Well

When big trades happen, one of these three things usually happen. Either the players involved adjust quickly to their new surroundings, they take a while to get acclimated or they never get comfortable in their new home.

Fortunately for the Winnipeg Jets, Drew Stafford and Tyler Myers who came over in the blockbuster trade that saw Evander Kane and Zach Bogosian shuffle off to Buffalo, seem to have adjusted quickly and have been excellent additions to the team.

Staff Is The Stuff

Drew Stafford (Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports)

Drew Stafford (Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports)

Drew Stafford can score goals. No one will dispute that. The University of North Dakota alum did record a career-high 31 goals in 2010-11. However, a combination of injuries and inconsistent play has slowed his production. It also didn’t help that the Buffalo Sabres have been in complete “rebuild” mode.

When he arrived in Winnipeg, Stafford had a new lease on life. He’s recorded 6 goals and 5 assists in 15 games, while finding chemistry on a line with Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler.

Jets coach Paul Maurice has been impressed with Stafford as he said in this interview. 

“He really has had a huge impact since he’s been here. I mean he only gets big goals and big assists. He seems to have elevated the game, and so much is just an enjoyment in playing the game.”

Stafford also talked about the change in an interview he did with Illegal Curve.

“Losing isn’t fun for anybody and unfortunately the way things have been going in Buffalo the last couple of years just hasn’t worked out. I feel for those guys that are there right now with what they’re going through.

Being part of that for the last couple of years individually and I’m sure Tyler will tell you the same thing, it is draining losing so much consistently that when you get a chance to be a part of a team and a playoff push, get back in the hunt again, it’s a shot in the arm. Not only that, being placed in this type of dressing room with the group we have makes things even better.  Last night was a perfect example. Look at how crazy the fans are here and how excited they are here. We feed off their momentum. Myself, personally, that’s why you play.”

Stafford gave the fans a reason to go crazy when he notched the equalizing goal, that led to a massive shootout victory over the St. Louis Blues.

It was one of those big goals Maurice mentioned and the Jets would love to see more of that from Stafford. But that will come with a steep price tag. Stafford is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and if he continues his strong play, the Jets will have to open up their wallets and pay Stafford a considerable amount of money.

Tyler Towers Over Everyone

Standing 6-foot-8, it isn’t difficult to pick out Tyler Myers from the crowd. But it’s his play on the ice that has helped Myers stand out from the crowd.

Whether its his smooth skating, his long reach to knock away loose pucks from dangerous areas or his offensive instincts, Myers has been a godsend to a Jets blue line that has battled injuries throughout the season.

For the most part, Myers has been paired with Toby Enstrom who stands a mere 5-10. Together, they have averaged 23:31 in ice time which includes power play and penalty kill time. Ed Tait of the Winnipeg Free Press has called the pairing, the long and short of the team’s defensive corps.

Maurice spoke about Myers in an interview with Tait:

“He’s been so good defensively. The points are great and he’s changed games with what he’s been able to do offensively — in Detroit with the rush, the slapshot when we were down a goal to Edmonton — he’s had a real impact on that. But we can move people around on our back end, in terms of matchups, because of the way he and Toby have played together. He’s given us a lot of options and so much is because of what he’s doing defensively.”

Myers has steadied the ship on the blue line, especially after Dustin Byfuglien went down with an upper body injury. While not as physical as Big Buff, Myers wingspan and reach can be intimidating to opposing forwards. The former Kelowna Rocket junior has also enjoyed Winnipeg as explained to the National Post:

“Even just through the first few games here, it’s pretty exciting for me to jump in and play the way these guys play it. The way they support each other on the ice and how hard everybody is on the puck, it’s the right way to play. I think it makes it easier for each individual to get the most out of themselves … and what they can do.

It’s been a lot of fun so far. To jump right in the middle of a playoff race, it’s very exciting to be in a position like that again. It’s been a while.”

Myers is playing his best hockey since 2010, when was rewarded with the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie. Perhaps he just needed a change of scenery to regain that form.

 

 

 

 


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Drew Stafford Tyler Myers Winnipeg Jets National Hockey League
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