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Winnipeg Jets – Say Hello to a new Young Defensemen

By Anthony Jacob

Sep 29, 2016; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey (36) stretches prior to the game against the Minnesota Wild during a preseason hockey game at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2016; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey (36) stretches prior to the game against the Minnesota Wild during a preseason hockey game at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports /
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It was evident last season defensive depth on the Winnipeg Jets is a big issue. Luckily they have a reinforcement on the way.

Mark Stuart had the worst season of his career. His foot speed decreased significantly, which caused his regular physical play to diminish. He was responsible for many goals against, posting a minus-7 for the season. As much as being a defensive liability didn’t help the team, his little significance as a successful puck moving defensemen or offensive threat were no where. If Mark Stuart weren’t the biggest leader in the dressing room, there’s no way he would still be around.

Ben Chairot was the Jets saviour when they had big defence injuries two years ago. Him and Dustin Byfuglien owned the blue line, and led the Winnipeg Jets to a playoff spot. Like many unknown sensations, he took a turn for the worse this season, and is another target to replace. In 2014-15, Ben was not too special defensively, but his confidence was high, and he was able to pull off impressive moves to escape from pressure, and turn it into an attack the other way. All that was gone in 2015-16, and potentially some of the issues came from playing with Stuart, a way less competent partner than Byfuglien.

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Jacob Trouba could also have to be replaced to start the season, if he sits out with a contract dispute. That means somewhere there will be a hole for former 2013 first round pick Josh Morrissey. Last season with the Manitoba Moose, it took Josh awhile to adjust to the pro game, but on a very bad team, Joshua controlled the oppositions, and was a key contributor. His play wasn’t as flashy as we were used to it being in the WHL with Prince Albert, and the offensive numbers weren’t there either.

Sep 29, 2016; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey (36) skates with the puck as Minnesota Wild center Tyler Graovac (44) defends during the first period during a preseason hockey game at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports /

During Jets training camp, and pre-season matches, the hype was different. Especially in the Jets match against the Edmonton Oilers, Morrissey turned a lot of heads, showing off that despite his small stature, he has a way of moving around the ice, and finding holes. Josh’s best WHL season was in 2013-14 when he scored 28 goals! To make it better, he only played in 54 games that season.

Josh’s premier performance in the past, and present, and stats to back it up, show why he should replace an aging Mark Stuart. Josh will make the left-side on defence for the Jets alright, instead of awful, like it was last year.

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