With Alexander Burmistrov set to resume his Winnipeg Jets career, the top nine forwards, in some order, appears to be set for the team. Today, Hockey at the Forks is going to take a look at a few bubble guys on this year’s team trying to crack a spot on the team’s fourth line.
Andrew Copp
Copp, who we covered earlier today as the team’s ninth best prospect, played in one NHL game last season after signing an entry level contract with the Jets out of the University of Michigan. Of all the players battling for fourth line spots, Copp might have the best combination of readiness for a fourth line role and potential.
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With, and please let the first part of the sentence be correct, Jim Slater not looking like he’ll return to the team, Copp might have the upper hand on earning a spot centreing the fourth line. If he doesn’t show he’s ready, the Jets could fill the position internally and send Copp to the Manitoba Moose for seasoning but right now, aside from Nikolaj Ehlers, Copp might be the best prospect in position to make the team for opening night.
Matt Halischuk
Winnipeg Jets forward Matt Halischuk skates on the ice during the second period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
I was satisfied with the trend over the past few years of general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff getting rid of marginal NHL talents such as Eric Tangradi, James Wright, and countless others. But yet, here stands Halischuk, who signed a one-year, two-way deal worth such an inconsequential amount of cap room, it’s not even worth listing the salary.
As veteran AHL depth, press box seat warmer, or playing in a dozen or so games if needed, Halischuk could be of some relative value to the Jets but let’s hope he doesn’t stand in the way of players like Copp or Nic Petan seeing ice at the NHL level.
Anthony Peluso
The Jets also resigned Big Tony this offseason, to a two-year deal, peaking curosity in what the Jets plan to do with Peluso. I like Peluso to a certain degree and he’s the toughest player on the roster. But there also isn’t space for both him and Chris Thorburn. When 14 and 22 are out there, some nights the Jets look like they’re playing with 10 forwards.
It would be nice to see Peluso add some skill to his game (which we’ve seen glimpses) and shed the pure “enforcer” tag he has, and maybe this two-year deal has more to do with Peluso the project than Peluso the player. Because the current player is inferior to the Thorburn we saw towards the end of last year and barring injuries, Peluso may find ice hard to come by early in the season.