The New York Rangers waved the white flag firmly in 2017-2018, and with a new coach and young roster, are just trying to see what they have. The Winnipeg Jets could try and help them along.
The Winnipeg Jets have not gotten off to the start most of us had hoped. It’s okay. I really thought they were going to run away with the league, I really did. Growing pains were unexpected.
But that’s on me, you know? Development is not linear. Among those struggling the most? Starting goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
Helly was a revelation and perhaps the biggest reason for the giant step forward that the Jets took last season, posting 44 wins and a .924% save percentage, good enough for a runner-up finish to the Vezina.
If you’ve been paying attention, you know that Hellebuyck has not been able to replicate that success in the early going. His save percentage sits at .907% and he has just four quality starts in 11 chances. Not ideal.
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Why has he been unable to replicate his success? I haven’t the slightest. He was always athletic and quick but struggled with rebounds.
This season? I think it’s a lack of focus. He seems to give up an inordinate amount of goals at the end of periods and in the third. To me, that screams like a mental issue. If hockey games were 55 minutes, he might be having a different season.
I know the offense has been sluggish at times and they’ve struggled with a void in the left-handed defenseman department.
Enter the New York Rangers
The legendary franchise has fallen on hard times, as they shipped off their captain and best skater, Ryan McDonagh, at the deadline last year. They also shipped away J.T. Miller and Rick Nash.
They gave up. Went full rebuild. It’s a shame to see, as that core never won a Cup, but oh well, things happen. Their window has closed.
I think if the Winnipeg Jets could pry Brady Skjei loose from the Rangers, that would be a brilliant trade. He’d fill that left-handed gap on their blue line. But he’s just 23, and the Rangers are looking to keep their young talent.
But they do have a nice veteran who would really help the Jets. His name is Henrik Lundqvist. I’ll give Rangers fans a minute to laugh at me, and then proceed.
Yes, the legendary King Henrik. When the Rangers went full rebuild, everyone’s hearts went out to him. One of the league’s best goaltenders for almost 15 years, and no Stanley Cup victories.
The last few years have not been kind to the King, and the Rangers roster is pretty barren at the moment. Maybe they think they can turn it around in a year or two. Maybe not.
And yes, I should note that Henrik has a NMC, and I doubt he would want to leave New York. But maybe he really wants a Cup. And maybe he sees a young, star-laden roster that could deliver him one before he retires.
If he wants to be moved, the Rangers would probably oblige him. And even with a barren roster, he’s sitting at a .922% save percentage and 9 quality starts in 12 tries, more than double Hellebuyck.
Make no mistake, acquiring Lundqvist solves the goaltending issue, and is a huge upgrade. Even if you believe in Hellebuyck, the King is a surefire hall of famer and one of the best to ever do it. He’s special.
I know this is a wild idea, and honestly, the Jets should send Hellebuyck back in the trade. Throw in some draft picks or prospects and see if you can pry one of the Rangers good goalie prospects away from them (they have way too many). Plan for the future and take over the present.
And hey, maybe winning a Cup only matters to Henrik if he can bring it to the Garden, and I’d respect that. It’s a shame he never did. And I don’t believe the Rangers roster will ever catch up to him at this rate. This might be his only chance.
But if Connor Hellebuyck doesn’t get it together and the Winnipeg Jets really want to capitalize, this is a move that would make sense, at least on paper. Emotionally? It’s hard to say. Will it happen? No, I seriously doubt it. But that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t.