Winnipeg Jets: Is Bryan Little’s Improvement a Patrik Laine-Shaped Mirage?

WINNIPEG, MB - NOVEMBER 29: Bryan Little #18 of the Winnipeg Jets hits the ice sporting a lavender jersey in support of Hockey Fights Cancer prior to NHL action against the Chicago Blackhawks on Hockey Fights Cancer Night at the Bell MTS Place on November 29, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - NOVEMBER 29: Bryan Little #18 of the Winnipeg Jets hits the ice sporting a lavender jersey in support of Hockey Fights Cancer prior to NHL action against the Chicago Blackhawks on Hockey Fights Cancer Night at the Bell MTS Place on November 29, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Winnipeg Jets have really made it clear they want a true second-line center. Well, they really want another top line center to put on the second line, but whatever. They’ve seen improvement from their second line, however.

The Winnipeg Jets love Bryan Little, at least publicly. Paul Maurice is on record saying he played as a top line center for years and has it in him. Which, technically is true, but if he’s your best center, your team probably isn’t very good.

And hey, when he was Winnipeg’s, they weren’t very good! But now he’s been pushed back due to the emergence of Mark Scheifele. The team pushed him further down the depth chart when they acquired Paul Stastny at the deadline last season.

That they admitted to wanting Stastny back shows what they really feel about Little. And I feel the same way. He’s a great option for a third center, and a mediocre one for a second.

And he’s overpaid for that third line role, but that’s not really anything we can control these days. Just worry about where he fits best on the roster. While I thought he could be demoted, he has had a bit of a resurgence.

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Prior to this little two game home stand, Little had eight points in his previous five games (1G, 7A) culminating in that four point game against St. Louis. Too bad the Jets don’t get to face them twice a week .

Before that, however, Little only recorded six points in his other 17 games. Now, he’s still just on pace for 48 points, which is basically what he did last season. But the hot streak is something we’d all been eager to see.

Unfortunately, I’m not certain it’s his hot streak. You see, out of those seven assists, SIX of them were on Patrik Laine goals. Laine, as you’re likely well aware, has been the hottest goal scorer in the NHL.

The other  assist was to Kyle Connor, his other new linemate. Suffice it to say, the line combination of Laine, Connor and Little is working. If Little can push it toward ~60 points dealing with those two on his wings, I think we’ll be okay, at least offensively.

As for the now-promoted Nikolaj Ehlers, he looks to also be fine without Laine on his opposite, netting a hat trick against Chicago last night.

I’m uncertain Little’s production is sustainable because I know for certain that Laine’s current pace is unsustainable. But he can lead the league in goals. He could probably score 70 and nobody would think it was just a fluke.

And apparently, he likes playing on this line with Little and Connor.  While it’s working, why worry? I think in the long run, Winnipeg is better suited replacing Little on that line. I think they probably do acquire one at the deadline. But for now, let it ride.

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