Look, when an NHL team has a roster spot up for grabs for youngsters, it usually means one of two things. Either A), they have someone they *want* to win, so if it’s close, that’s their guy. Or B), it’s anybody’s game, and nobody knows.
The Winnipeg Jets had this going right here. They have a bevy of young players fighting for spots and playing well, despite their mediocre farm system.
It’s become very difficult to project the Jets roster at this point. Their bottom six was pretty effective last season (it’s hard to get to the WCF otherwise), but we know there will be some turnover.
Are the Jets willing to replace known bottom six commodities with other, slightly-higher upside plays? Maybe. The scenarios I listed above are actually both true. It seems like a foregone conclusion that Jack Roslovic is going to be on the roster.
He’s going to play a decent sized role, as well. Roslovic is next in line to center the second line if Bryan Little‘s struggles continue. But some guys have come out of the gate strong in the preseason to impress me, and likely the Jets front office.
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Sami Niku has one game of NHL experience, but he’s shown flashes this preseason. C.J. Suess is another guy. And the Jets leader in goals this preseason, Skyler Mckenzie. Could he find himself at the bottom of the Jets lineup?
I don’t think it’s worth it to carry McKenzie if you’re not going to play him. He scored two goals in about ten minutes of ice time in his debut, and then added another in the finale. McKenzie just signed his ELC this July, and seemed ticketed for the AHL squad in Manitoba.
I would not be surprised to see that happen now, as I’m assuming he’ll get sent down at some point. McKenzie is small, at 5’8, 154lbs, but battles hard and has skill.
Showing he could score against NHL talent is nice, but it’s still just preseason. And hey, we’ve seen lots of talented guys slip past most scouts due to their size. It’s an issue, sure, but not an insurmountable one.
The Jets have had some guys put themselves in a good position. After back to back 40 goal seasons in the WHL, an AHL stint would be fine. If he keeps his production, he’s a lock to be seen in Winnipeg at some point.
I don’t know that his shot will come this year, but he’s been exciting to watch in the preseason. I guess we’ll find out soon enough, as the season starts in less than a week.
UPDATE: 9/28, 12:30 PM EST – About five seconds after I wrote this damn thing, the Winnipeg Jets reassigned Skyler McKenzie to the Manitoba Moose. They also sent down Sami Niku, Eric Comrie, Mason Appleton and C.J. Suess. RIP