The Winnipeg Jets have finished five games of their seven game preseason schedule, and things look pretty good so far.
The Winnipeg Jets have avoided any big injuries, and everyone looks pretty good so far. I’d say it’s a good preseason. The best preseason is the one that ends, though, and that’s coming up fairly soon.
That all being said, let’s take a look at some things from camp:
Ehlers joins the party
Nikolaj Ehlers is an interesting player on the Jets. He’s not a star in the way that Dustin Byfuglien, Patrik Laine, Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler are. But he’s not a player you want to miss.
He’s a 60 point guy, but at 22, could there be more? After having two assists in his first two games, he broke through last night and put two pucks in the net.His OT winner was an unassisted thing of beauty.
Taking the puck away from the Flames right in front of his own net, gliding all the way down and putting it in on his own. A decent scorer and passer with elite speed, he’s a fun player.
Nik Ehlers was my first NHL prospect crush, even before I came to write about the Jets. I was playing one of EA’s NHL titles and he was in it, as a terrible player but with elite speed. He was so fun to play with, blowing past everyone, even though his skill was low.
Well, in reality, he’s pretty skilled. Is there more left in the tank, or is he who he is? If he is, that’s fine. He’s really good! But if he can keep improving? Add a few more assists while Laine adds goals?
Get to 35 goals, maybe 80ish points a year or two? He suddenly becomes a bargain, even if he’s a product of his lush scoring environment. Either way, love the guy, looking forward to what he does this season.
Niku trying to seize a spot
Sami Niku scored in his only NHL game last season. In three games this preseason? Two goals, two assists. Like Ehlers, he added two tallies last night against the Flames. They were both on good shots, too, not tips or redirects.
Niku has shown me one thing: He can shoot. Not just a massive slapshot from the point. The dude has a hell of a wrist shot. One of the better shots from a defenseman around.
Either that, or he’s been uncannily lucky in his first few go-rounds at the NHL level. Either way, I think he locks up a spot on this team. If he doesn’t, he’s first in line.
Kid can play, and even if he’s not the most defensively sound for a bit, his offensive ability will be nice to have. I’m looking forward to seeing more.
Brossoit didn’t blow it
Laurent Brossoit had a great Jets debut. So good, in fact, that his overall numbers after two games still look decent.
He boasts a 2.5 GAA and a .936 save percentage, and has won both games. Not that the Jets will take that into consideration, but hey, it’s better than losing both.
With two games left, I’m not sure if he gets one. They could give one start to Connor Hellebuyck and Eric Comrie, or they could concede the backup battle to Brossoit and give him one more.
Either way, he did fine this preseason. I know some Oilers fans who were mad the team let him get away, so there’s not nothing there. I think on an actual NHL team (sorry Edmonton, but you’re a disgrace of a franchise), he might be something.
I’m liking the Brossoit pickup more and more, when I talk to people around the game. And while 34 saves on 38 chances isn’t great, he did fine. He kept his team in the game, didn’t allow a special teams goal, and held up in OT.
And yes, while the Flames blueline was at full potential, the rest of the roster looks like an AHL one. Well, the Flames forwards group normally reads like one anyway, once you get past Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan.
Either way, feel free to berate me when Brossoit has a bad start in the regular season, I’ll be here.