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Winnipeg Jets Season Review: Everyday Is Like Sunday

By Kyle McCarthy

WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 20: Josh Morrissey #44 of the Winnipeg Jets celebrates his first period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights with teammates at the bench in Game Five of the Western Conference Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 20, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 20: Josh Morrissey #44 of the Winnipeg Jets celebrates his first period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights with teammates at the bench in Game Five of the Western Conference Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 20, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Winnipeg Jets had a good start to their defense corps with Dustin Byfuglien, Jacob Trouba and Tyler Myers. But the top pairing only included one of those men. Who else was up there? Why don’t you find out for yourself.

The Winnipeg Jets offense is generally talked about more than their defense. Being second in the NHL in goals will do that. Having Patrik Laine and Blake Wheeler, with their numbers will do that.  But their defense was fantastic. They were fifth in goals against.

The emergence of a certain charming man on the top pairing has deepened the Jets on the back end. Josh Morrissey has been the boy with the thorn in his side. He’s got a light that never goes out. He just keeps coming and coming.

Morrissey flies under the radar. He’s one of those very good, non-flashy defenseman. The good ones without elite offensive games often get it. The Ryan McDonagh, Ryan Suter types. I’m not saying Morrissey’s on their level yet, but he’s good. Like a young Dan Girardi.

He’s a great shot blocker, he’s got a great stick, he plays hard. Morrissey doesn’t play the powerplay, but the Winnipeg Jets don’t need that. They’ve got Trouba and Byfuglien on the back end for that.

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The more you ignore him, the closer he gets. Morrissey is happy to avoid the spotlight, and the game he plays doesn’t lend itself to superstardom.

But teams need great defensive defenseman. For me, the blueliners have a responsibility to play the puck and defend first. Second, make passes and set the forwards up to get through the neutral zone.

I love and Erik Karlsson just as much as another guy, but I prefer a bit more defense in my defenseman, and Morrissey is one of those guys that provides that. Yes, it helps if you have a blueliner that can pass like a center and slam shots from the point.

Having that makes Morrissey more valuable, as he’s been able to stay in his own game and improve in his sophomore season. His Corsi% stayed in the positive, and his point total went from a modest 20 to a slightly less modest 26.

Without powerplay minutes, it’s not a huge deal. I would like to see him cross the ten goal, thirty point threshold. Look, the fact of the matter is, a team with a deep defense is gonna need players like Morrissey. He’s the glamorous glue of the defense.

Morrissey keeps improving, day after day, game after game. I’m taking the easy way out by doing the season review on all the good players first. Good thing is, the Winnipeg Jets are loaded with those right now. A steady, young defenseman on an entry-level deal is a great thing.

Unfortunately for the team, and fortunately for Josh, he’s an RFA this season. The reckoning is coming for the remainder of the Jets’ cap space. This won’t be one of the casualties.

Next: Connor Hellebuyck and the Dangers of Good Starts

Look, everyone would enjoy if he scored more. But if he doesn’t, and his defense keeps up (and/or steadily improves), the Winnipeg Jets will still be lucky to have him. Only next season, it’ll be a bit harder for him to be a bargain.

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