Winnipeg Jets 2018 NHL Draft: David Gustafsson Goes at #60
The Winnipeg Jets were lacking a first round pick, due to trading it away for the Paul Stastny rental. Despite this not producing a championship, I’ve no problem with the move. Go out and try to win if you have the chance.
The Winnipeg Jets used their top pick, the second rounder at #60 overall, to select a Swedish center called David Gustafsson.
Gustafsson, 18, was actually born in 2000, which makes me sad. Very sad. Other than that, he appears to be quite a bit like most other Swedish centers.
They play two-way games and are responsible in their own end and lack flashy offensive abilities, and Gustafsson is no different.
He’s a decent skater who knows how to pass and win a forechecking battle. Think of him as a poor man’s Gabriel Landeskog, if you will. I always see Swedish players as being very useful and underrated in the NHL.
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Other than the stars, of course. The Peter Forsberg, Henrik Lundqvist, Henrik Zetterberg, Nicklas Lidstrom, Mats Sundin category. I wouldn’t expect to be putting Gustafsson’s name amongst those anytime soon.
But he’s a useful prospect, no doubt. Being devoid of a first rounder means the Winnipeg Jets can’t afford to go high-risk with their other prime picks. Usually anybody of use outside the top three rounds is considered a great grab.
The Jets had just two picks inside the top 100. You have to get solid prospects for those picks, you can’t go risky.
The reason the Jets should play it safe is that Gustafsson’s value to the team is that of a trade chip. This is a win-now team. Yes, they can’t mortgage the entire future. But they can’t let an 18 year old stand in the way of improving the 2018-2019 Winnipeg Jets.
And, as much as I believe in Cheveldayoff and the front office, they haven’t been great outside the first round. Nic Petan still has some prospect shine, albeit not a ton, and Jansen Harkins is still in the system. It’s too soon to rate the guys picked more recently.
But Lukas Sutter already retired after not even signing. Nobody from the second round is a useful Jet. Maybe that’s being a bit too harsh, a couple of those picks were traded, and the jury is still out on a few.
But, when you’ve hit on every first rounder since you moved to Canada, expectations are high. And, if you’re going to get picks right in a certain round, the first one seems like the best one to do.
Overall, I think this is a fine pick. I would imagine if the need arises for help on the big club in the next few seasons, Gustafsson is more likely to be shipped out for that help than become that help. But that’s okay. That’s why you have a farm system when you’re in contention.
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But hey, if he’s a regular Gabriel Landeskog and stays in town, that’s cool too. Maybe his development is short and he’s NHL ready before you know it. A cheap fourth liner with upside isn’t bad.