Winnipeg Jets: Is the Sun Setting on Laurent Brossoit?
The struggles in net for the Winnipeg Jets franchise tendy were slightly offset by an unreal season by their newly-acquired backup, but is the shine coming off the apple?
The Winnipeg Jets raised some eyebrows when they signed Laurent Brossoit to be the backup. Prior to this season, he had an .897 save percentage, a 2.98 GAA and a 7-13 record in 20 starts.
This was, however, in the place where NHL talent goes to die, Edmonton. The Oilers can’t have good goaltending, they’re not allowed. They’re barely competitive and they have Connor McDavid.
That was all thrown out the widnow, however, as Brossoit got off to a ridiculous start, winning his first three games with a .957 save percentage. Twelve games in, he was 10-1-1 with a .943, truly elite numbers in an albeit small sample.
That included just one start wherein his save percentage was under .900, and they won the game anyway. Brossoit certainly had my support for more starts throughout the season, but the Jets knew he was probably best used in moderation.
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As well, giving a huge contract out to starter Connor Hellebuyck and then taking starts away from him in year one probably isn’t the precedent the team wanted to set, which is understandable.
I don’t have to deal with them personally, so I’m okay with hot takes. I apologize in advance to Helly, and Brossoit now for penning this piece. But I can’t help but be concerned when Brossoit goes 0-3-1 with an .882 save percentage over his last four starts.
He hasn’t looked the same, either, and he’s been giving up quick goals seemingly every time the game starts, or the Jets take a lead. It’s not pretty. Why is it happening? I’m not sure. Could just be a rough patch and he is a true talent ace backup.
Or, it could be heavy regression to the mean. Who could know? I thought there might be some injury issues popping up, as the Jets called up Eric Comrie under emergency circumstances. But that turns out to just be because Connor Hellebuyck has the flu and won’t be able to backup our boy Brossoit against Nashville.
Winnipeg also signed Ken Appleby, who I can’t imagine will play in the NHL this season but is still somewhat notable, since the Jets decided they needed extra depth. It appears there’s no injury issue with Brossoit. Hopefully it’s just a few rough starts. They were bound to happen.
Next. Winnipeg Jets Struggle Amid Deadline Flurry. dark
Nobody carries a .950 save percentage throughout an entire season, even if it’s only ~20 starts. Tonight would be a great time to turn things around against Nashville, though, and take the lead in the Central.