Trin’s Top Five: Winnipeg Jets Prospects
This is a weekly series where Trin Potratz (@PotratzHockey) produces a top five list of any subject relating to the Winnipeg Jets. Feel free to write a comment and suggest next week’s top five. This time, we’re selecting the Winnipeg Jets top five prospects.
GROUND RULES
Players who are in the NHL currently were not considered (eg. Kyle Connor).
Players in the AHL, CHL, and Europeans leagues were considered.
The players are ranked by potential ahead of anything.
TOP FIVE WINNIPEG JETS PROSPECTS
5. D Sami Niku, Manitoba Moose (AHL), 2015 7/198
The Jets are known for drafting well, especially in the first round, but they may have uncovered an absolute gem in Sami Niku. The 7th round draft pick wrapped up his career in Finland with JyP HT Jyvaskyla scoring 27 points in 59 games. That performance was enough for the Jets to sign their 7th rounder to an entry-level contract. Niku was compared to fellow Finnish Jets defender Tobias Enstrom by Dobber Prospects. He has the offensive upside and could become a top-four defender in the NHL if his game transitions to the North American game. He had six points in his first six AHL games, so it looks like he’ll be just fine.
4. LW Erik Foley, Providence College (HE), 2015 3/78
While not a late-round pick, Erik Foley is another product of the Jets tremendous scouting report. The 2015 3rd rounder was drafted out of the USHL and is now attending Providence College for a third season. Foley’s production has increased from 19 points in 36 games to 34 points in 36 games last season. While the season is still young, Foley is scoring at almost a point-per-game pace and could be in the run for the Hobey Baker award this season. Foley underwhelmed on the gold-medal winning American World Junior club with only a single assist. The only concern the Jets should have with Foley is the fact that he could use the college loophole and test free agency like Jimmy Vesey and Will Butcher.
3. D Logan Stanley, Kitchener Rangers (OHL), 2016 1/18
The Jets already boast huge d-men like Tyler Myers and Dustin Byfuglien, but they have another one in the chamber with Logan Stanley. Standing at 6’7, Stanley is known for his size and he projects to be a shut-down defenseman. While it didn’t look like Stanley would ever be a point-producing defenseman, he had a solid shortened 35-game season last year scoring matching the 17 points he had in 64 games during his draft year. A trade from Windsor to Kitchener seems to have sparked Stanley’s offensive game as he already has 11 in 14 games.
2. LW Kristian Vesalainen, HPK Hameenlinna (FIN), 2017 1/24
The newest Jets first-rounder looks like the real deal. Vesalainen combines speed, skill, and size from the wing that should have Jets fans salivating at the potential. Unlike Patrik Laine, Vesalainen won’t be jumping to the NHL anytime soon, and will likely take a few years to get acclimated to the North American game. He is having no issues playing against men in the Finnish league as he has put up an outstanding 11 points in only 17 games.
1. C Jack Roslovic, Manitoba Moose (AHL), 2015 1/25
The man at number one on the list is the closest to the NHL, but it’s just not his time yet. The 2015 draft is already looking like a really good one for the Jets as Kyle Connor (17th overall) is making his mark in the NHL. Jack Roslovic was drafted out of the USHL and played only one season of college hockey before turning pro. It turned out to be a solid move for Roslovic’s development as he produced a very respectable 48 points in 65 games and got into one NHL game with the Jets. Roslovic is known for a high hockey IQ at both ends of the ice. Roslovic may never become a high point producer, but he could be a vital second line centre in the future and play second fiddle to Mark Scheifele once Bryan Little starts to decline.
Do you agree with this list? Feel free to leave your comments below and recreate your own top five list on this subject