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Winnipeg Jets Season Review: Little Trouble in Big Winnipeg

By Kyle McCarthy

WINNIPEG, MB - MARCH 23: Bryan Little #18 of the Winnipeg Jets follows the play down the ice during third period action against the Anaheim Ducks at the Bell MTS Place on March 23, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Jets defeated the Ducks 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - MARCH 23: Bryan Little #18 of the Winnipeg Jets follows the play down the ice during third period action against the Anaheim Ducks at the Bell MTS Place on March 23, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Jets defeated the Ducks 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Winnipeg Jets had a good season, yes. Almost everyone played to or exceeded their personal expectations. But not everyone. There are a few exceptions.

The Winnipeg Jets handed out a six year, $31.75MM contract extension to Bryan Little at the beginning of the 2017-2018 season. Would they have given it to him after this past one, when he would’ve been entering free agency?

I would wager no. Let’s get this out of the way. Bryan Little is not a bad player, he’s very useful. Much of the chatter about his poor play has been about two things: His sudden decline in points and  his brand new cap hit.

Bryan Little’s point totals have been talked about here before. But he played in 82 for just the second time in six seasons, and the last time? Scored 23 goals and 64 points.

This season, with a better supporting cast? Just 16 goals and 43 points. The lowest goal total since the strike shortened season. The lowest shooting percentage in that span, too, but just a point under his career rate.

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Little got his ice time cut by about 30 seconds, which isn’t crazy. About a shift a game. With the improved cast (and Paul Stastny), that checks out.

Was it luck? He was lucky in being able to avoid an injury, but now he’s scoring the same point totals. I’d rather he jam 40 points into 50 games than over 80. Although he wins faceoffs at a great clip and plays solid defense. Little isn’t killing the Jets.

Was he really healthy?

But something might be killing Bryan Little. He’s back in the spotlight, now, as Winnipeg failed to retain the services of Stastny. Will he be centering a line of Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers?

I noticed something looking at his splits, however. Little scored 30 points in his first 50 games, and then just 13 over his next 32. That’s about a .2ppg drop. That’s significant! Looking at some of his other splits, he does seem better in the first half, but not excessively so.

His shot percentage was essentially the same. Here’s the question I pose: Bryan Little didn’t miss time with an injury, but does that mean he wasn’t injured? He could’ve been fighting something. I’d imagine, if this is the case, the Jets know this. I think they would’ve acquired Stasnty either way. Flags fly forever. Cups are engraved forever (kinda).

Next: Five Reasons Jets Could Improve in 2018-2019

This is one of my main things to look for this coming season. I doubt a man who just hit his 30s is in the midst of a sudden decline (well, there’s Jonathan Toews). Was Little healthy? Will he rebound? Will he get hurt again? The Winnipeg Jets have to figure it all out, as well as we do.

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