Kevin Hayes is Great, But Can He Fix the Winnipeg Jets?

The Winnipeg Jets are no longer at the top of the division. They had several key areas of weakness. Although they’re imperfect, it would’ve been unwise to let this opportunity pass them by.

But will the Winnipeg Jets be able to overcome their 2019 weaknesses? The 2018 Jets looked so good, pushing to the top of the division. They’ve managed to stay afloat there, albeit barely, but having this much high-end talent can do that.

What it can’t do, if you’re also not playing well as a team, is win you a playoff series or four. Their second line was lacking, and they figured adding Kevin Hayes would help. I can’t imagine it won’t, but will it fix their issues?

Since the calendar turned, the Winnipeg Jets are just 14-11-2, with a paltry +3 goal differential and a 47.4% Corsi. That is: Bad. It’s a shade below the Chicago Blackhawks Corsi number, which is real bad considering they sit at the bottom of the division.

Even more recently, the Jets are 5-7-2 with a -13 goal differential in their last fourteen contests. How they’ve managed to stay within one point of the Predators, I do not know. There’s plenty of time to right the ship.

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The Jets are not playing up to their true talent. In their first 47 games (which did stretch a bit into 2019, I’ll admit), they were 31-14-2 with a +35 goal differential and a perfectly even Corsi number, which, with their talent, was adequate.

They struggle bringing the puck into the zone. Patrik Laine stopped scoring, which torpedoes his value (he’s since picked it up again, however). In his first 32 games, he scored 23 goals. A rock solid pace. In the 33 contests since, he has six. And five of those came in a three game stretch just a few short games ago.

Nikolaj Ehlers, who really adds length to this teams’ scoring punch, has been plagued with injury this season. The Jets have also struggled with the prolonged absences of Josh Morrissey and Dustin Byfuglien, by most accounts their two best defenseman.

So maybe it’s a positive sign that they’ve managed to tread water in that time period, but they’re running short on time. There’s only 16 games left in the season. Enter Kevin Hayes, the 26 year old former first rounder.

Hayes has 45 points in 55 games (15 goals), and three in four games with the Jets. They went out and got him to play the same role he played with the Rangers: The second line center who can push possession and most of all, defend.

Patrik Laine isn’t much of a defender. Kyle Connor and Nik Ehlers, for all of their speed and offensive prowess, aren’t great defensive players. Hayes isn’t a Selke winner, but he’s solid. Matt Hendricks was also reacquired to help here.

Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele can’t do it all alone. Well, I mean, they’re doing a hell of a job, but they need help. Hayes had a positive Corsi with a bad Rangers squad (65 points, 6 ahead of last in the Metro…man, the Devils are horrendous).

Also, in just four games with Winnipeg, Hayes is sitting on a ludicrous 59.8% Corsi, which while unsustainable, has told us his impact with the Jets should be substantial.

The front office knew of these shortcomings well before I did, and you can be certain Cheveldayoff’s trades were made with them in mind. Hayes and Hendricks for defense and possession, Nathan Beaulieu and Bogdan Kiselevich to throw buckets of water for the sinking blueline until Morrissey and Byfuglien return, which should be hopefully before the playoffs.

Until then, we’ll see if Hayes can keep the top 6 near the league’s elite, and the defense can hold up in their absence. The Jets will assuredly make the playoffs, but a turnaround is needed if they want to avoid an early exit.