Winnipeg Jets: 3 Moose Players That Deserve A Shot
The Winnipeg Jets have seen some depth spots open up recently, plus there’s been a few underperforming depth players. Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff should give some guys on the Manitoba Moose a shot on the big team.
Mason Appleton
Okay, Appleton has been called up, but he hasn’t seen any NHL games yet. After the departure of youngster Kristian Vesalainen, Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff called upon Mason Appleton to join the squad.
Mason Appleton has been unbelievably successful with the Manitoba Moose in this and last season. Appleton managed to score 22 goals and 44 assists for 66 points, leading the team in points and assists. This season has shown improvement, as he’s notched 8 goals and 10 assists for 18 points in only 19 games.
Mason Appleton was a 6th round draft pick, who’s turned out really well so far. The only thing is that he hasn’t proven himself at the NHL level. That’s really just because he hasn’t really had the chance.
Now being on the Jets roster, he has is chance. My only thing about getting Appleton in the Winnipeg Jets lineup is that there’s a good chance he’ll play fourth line minutes at the beginning. That, plus it’s a bit of a transition to go from AHL level hockey to NHL level. Don’t expect him to go win us games or put a ton of points on the board, but also don’t be surprised if he comes in with a bang.
Logan Shaw
Many of you Winnipeg Jets fans may have absolutely no clue who Logan Shaw is. That’s because the Winnipeg Jets sneakily acquired the centreman mid-season, by signing him to a one year deal from the San Diego Gulls of the AHL.
You may wonder how this is possible, that Winnipeg basically stole Shaw from another team’s affiliate. It’s because Shaw didn’t actually have an NHL deal, meaning he still was technically allowed to sign with an NHL team if the offer was there. Shaw’s contract with the Winnipeg Jets pays out a guaranteed minimum of $325,000, no matter where he plays, which is likely what enticed him to sign with us. His NHL salary is $675,000.
Anyways, enough of the contact talk. Let’s talk about why Logan Shaw deserves a chance with the Winnipeg Jets. He’s no special, talented, NHL player, but he can be an effective player to have in the minors and potentially to bring up for your fourth line.
Logan Shaw currently has six goals and four assists in seven games with the Moose this season. (I’m not including his stats from the Gulls earlier in the year). With the Moose, he currently has a 1.43 point per game average, making him well deserving of a call up to Winnipeg.
Last year, Shaw split the season between Anaheim and Montreal as a depth centreman. He wasn’t super effective, but managed 14 points for the entire year. This is even more of a plus, he has NHL experience. A total of 180 games.
With Andrew Copp out with a concussion, and our fourth line not really doing too much of anything at the moment, I think it’d make sense to give the 25 year old some NHL playing time.
Seth Griffith
Kevin Cheveldayoff made a move to add some scoring down in the AHL for Manitoba, by picking up forward Seth Griffith. Griffith has played games with five different organizations. (NHL or AHL games, also including the Winnipeg Jets/Manitoba Moose) He’s never really stuck and been able to find success with any one team, which is why he’s been bounced around this much.
Griffith is a small centreman, who has proven his ability to put some points on the board down in Manitoba. 15 points in 20 games for the 25 year old. Last season, Griffith managed only a mere 3 points in 21 games in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres, however lit it up in the AHL. Last year’s season with the Rochester Americans saw the forward put up 41 points in 46 games.
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It can’t really hurt to try him out. Our fourth line has done absolutely nothing, opening up this opportunity for someone new to step in. Maybe all we need is a little shakeup. Maybe Griffith could get comfortable on Winnipeg and pot a few points. We won’t know unless this happens, I just think Griffith is worthy of one more shot in the NHL.