Quote:
Originally Posted by Ando
You will see changes next year. I doubt the third pairing is going to stay the same, I suspect Enstrom is on his way out, and there's no guarantee Statsny will stick around. There's also no guarantees on the third and fourth lines. New players will be moved in. But if done properly the team should be improved next year.
I should say though that I have never been convinced that Maurice is going to be the guy who can take them to the next level.
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Enstrom is gone. He skipped the press conference and headed back to Sweden. He was also critical of Maurice for benching him, in what is likely his final game as a Winnipeg Jet. His wife also posted on instrgam a goodbye message, thanking TNSE, the Jets players, and the city of Winnipeg for their support and ended it with saying "we will miss you." Toby is likely going to play the remainder of his career in Sweden.
There is no way Myers stays. Trouba is likely to be signed. and the Jets cannot afford 3 RHD making over $5 million per season. He will be traded, and Poolman will get a chance to be a regular in the lineup as a bottom pairing defenseman. Look for Sami Niku to replace Enstrom, on the left defensive side. The Jets will more than likely sign Morrisey to a long term contract in the neighborhood of $5-5.5 million.
Stastny is not staying, unless the Jets trade Little, but that is a long shot. Perreault will probably be on the market, to make room for younger players with ELC to come in (i.e. Roslovic, Vesalainen, or Appleton). The Jets need to resign Lowry, Tanev, and Armia. Next season, they need to sign Connor and Laine (and possibly Wheeler), so they may try to get it out of the way over the summer, especially Laine's contract. Dano will be released, and possibly Petan.
As for goaltending, Hellebuyck will be looking for a big raise ($5.5 million?) That leaves us with the dilemma of what to do with Mason, and his $4 million + contract. His trading value is at an all-time low, and he has one season left on his contract. Hutchinson will be dealt as he does not want to be here, and I have no confidence in Comrie as a backup. In an ideal situation, Mason would be dealt, and replaced by a cheaper reliable backup.
As for Maurice, he is a good coach, but not an elite coach. Gallant schooled him, and he made some questionable decisions like leaving Hendricks in the lineup too long, not taking Copp out for a few games, and not playing Roslovic more. He also sat out Kulikov despite him being ready to go at the beginning of the Vegas series, only to throw him to the wolves in the final game. He should have took Chiarot out.