The Winnipeg Jets Get the Blues on Offense

Here at Hockey at the Forks we are teaming up with fellow Fansided Editor of BleedinBlue, Kate Cimini, to compare our clubs defensive lines and forward lines. Today we finish up with part two of our two part comparison with the St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets. How do these two clubs offensive lines stack up? Will we see the Jets come out on top like we saw with the defensive lines on Friday?

Here were Kate Cimini’s lines (in her words),

Alexander Steen – Jori Lehtera – Vladimir Tarasenko

Jaden Schwartz – Paul Stastny – David Backes

Alexander Steen: Steen is a smart player who makes big bodies look foolish. He can switch direction in a blink and is highly creative on the ice. Good two-way player whose physicality comes out when faced with a challenge, which is exactly what Lehtera and Tarasenko would benefit from on the first line.

Jori Lehtera: Has unbelievable chemistry with Tarasenko. Lehtera is a strong playmaker with strong vision and his two-way play makes him a tough one to fool.

Vladimir Tarasenko: One of our best players, Tarasenko (or, “Tank,” as he is sometimes called, after his habit of blowing through lines with ease), has hands like butter and is a big body to match. He led the NHL in postseason goals long after the Blues were eradicated from the race.

Jaden Schwartz: Schwartz’s speed and skill with the puck would make him a good linemate for Stastny, whose playmaking abilities are top-notch. He’s regularly been part of the STL line with Lehtera and Tarasenko, but he’s someone who seems to be able to generate chemistry with almost any player.

Paul Stastny: A great playmaker and good passer, Stastny would anchor this line well. A two-way player, his patience on the ice could also tip the scales his way.

David Backes: Backes is a physical, nose-to-the-grindstone kind of player who leads his line in hits and grit. He’s a shutdown player who also has a great “nose for the net,” as some would say. He has a sixth sense when it comes to scoring goals and is one of the toughest players out there to neutralize. Some might have doubts about Backes being able to lead from the second line, but if so, they’re discounting his passion and persistence.

Winnipeg Jets

Here were mine (Andrei Lutz’s) offensive lines,

Andrew Ladd – Bryan Little – Blake Wheeler

Adam Lowry – Mark Scheifele – Drew Stafford

Andrew Ladd: Ladd is the Jets captain and has much experience in the NHL (winning two cups with the Canes and Hawks). Ladd is an all around player he can dish out assists, score goals, and in the prime of the game he put the puck in the net for the game winner (led Jets in GW goals last season. Ladd led the Jets in points this past season with (62) and his contract will be up by the end of the season (Ladd is most likely playing for his final big contract being 29 years old, so look for Ladd to shine with that extra incentive).

Bryan Little: Little is not the tallest player at only 5’ 11’ but he is a very well rounded and dangerous player as Ladd is. Little fluctuates season by season where he scores a lot more goals then assists, more assists then goals, and sometimes they are pretty even. Little finished 3^rd on the team in points last season with 52 and tied for second in goals with Andrew Ladd (24). Little stays out of the penalty box with only 24 minutes last year (its not easy to fluster him).

Blake Wheeler: Look for Blake Wheeler to go off this season with the Jets. The former 5^th overall pick by the Boston Bruins has improved dramatically since his days in Boston or even Atlanta. Wheeler finished second on the team in in points (61) and first on the team in goals (26). Wheeler is known more for his assists then goals, but this past season proved that he could be a dangerously well rounded forward. Some Jets fans will argue the Wheeler is the Jets best player (I’m not one of those, but I can see why.)

Adam Lowry: Lowry is one of the younger Jets and this past season was actually his first full one in the NHL (let it be noted he’s from St. Louis). It remains to be seen where Lowry’s skill set lies but it appears he is as well rounded as the other Jets forwards scoring 11 goals and dishing 12 assists in his first season. Lowry adds youth, speed, and potential to the Jets and there is no doubt he will only better his stats this upcoming season (unless the injury fairy graces his presence).

Mark Scheifele: There are some very high expectations for Mark in Winnipeg (being drafted 7^th overall in 2011). Last season he went off for the best year of his career and showed that he will most likely be the Jets top center. With 15 goals and 34 assists, Mark displayed he was less of a goal scorer and more of an assist magnet. Mark finished 4^th on the team in points (49) and is expected to finish even higher this season in what many believe will be an extraordinary year for him. Just like Lowry, Mark is young, quick, and full of all sorts of potential.

Drew Stafford: One of the more household names on the Jets roster (many may remember him from those golden years in Buffalo) is one of the more seasoned Jets players. Many people believe that Stafford’s best years are behind him, but one must consider that bad Sabres teams that have surrounded him the last couple of years. Upon being traded to the Jets he would play in 26 games and tally 19 points as compared to the 24 in 50 games in Buffalo. It looks as if a young and talented Jets team surrounding him is what Stafford may have just needed to return to the goal scoring power house that he was in Buffalo. Stafford likes to score and likes to shoot, an excellent combination for any club.

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Alexander Steen V. Andrew Ladd,

While Alexander Steen is a more then solid player, contributing largely to the success of the Blues top line it will be interesting to see him compete with the Jets captain, leading scorer, and seasoned Vet in that of Andrew Ladd. Ladd can put pucks in the net and dish assists out like a madman, it will be interesting to see how Steen fares against Ladd, but it is more then likely a contract hungry Ladd will come out with the upper hand in this battle. While I give Ladd the upper hand, don’t be surprised if this goes Steen’s way, both finished with 64 points and both do have some Veteran experience under their belts. It will be an even match and for now the upper hand goes to Ladd (by a hair).

Bryan Little V. Jori Lehtera

Jori has great chemistry with his line mate in Tarasenko and will for sure be a problem for the Jets offense in this case. He is a solid two-way player like Bryan Little and has a strong vision on the ice. While I do love Bryan Little, I will say the Jori is a much more well rounded player and is more in tune with his line then Little, which is why I give Jori the upper hand.

Blake Wheeler V. Vladimir Tarasenko

I’m sorry Jets fans but this one is no contest. Vladimir Tarasenko is probably one of the Blues top players, he finished 5th in goals last season with 38 and finished with 73 points (more then any Jet). While Wheeler is a solid player he still has a long way to go and a more then seasoned star like Tarasenko will get his way with him, tearing through lines with a rather ease.

Adam Lowry V. Jaden Schwartz

Once again I’m sorry Jets fans but this is no contest. Schwartz is much more experienced and capable then Lowry. Schwartz had 63 points last season as compared to Lowry’s 23. Schwartz is known for being able to generate chemistry with almost any player and is often on the Blues top line. While Lowry has a bright future in Winnipeg, the future is not very bright when it comes to facing Schwartz.

Mark Scheifele V. Paul Stastny

Forgive me. Once again the Blues have the upper hand. Mark has huge potential with the Jets but he will be going up against a solid two-way player, calm, and good passer in Paul Stastny. Paul will beat Mark with his experience and overall patience on the ice, taking advantage of his rather rookie mistakes.

Drew Stafford V. David Backes

Aw, jeez. Somewhere in a galaxy far far away Stafford could have compared quite nicely to Backes but while Backes is till going strong Stafford is falling off the train tracks. While Stafford is a solid offensive player who provides much needed Vet presence on the 2nd line he just can’t compare to David Backes, who is a passionate and physical presence on the ice, being able to get the puck in the back of the net whenever he so pleases.

So in short the Jets offensive lines might be solid, but they stand no where near the Blues experienced and vastly dangerous lines.

Be sure to thank Kate Cimini for asking us to partake in this project. If you don’t thank her then may Ondrej Pavelec be your starting goaltender for decades to come (just kidding we love our Pavelec).

Comment below and join in on the discussion!

Next: The Winnipeg Jets Defense Tops the Blues

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