Winnipeg Jets: Three Early Conclusions After Game One

The Winnipeg Jets are undefeated in 2021! Here are three way too early conclusions based on their overtime win against the Calgary Flames in game one.

The Winnipeg Jets started 2021 avenging their series exit in the play-in round by defeating the Calgary Flames in overtime at Bell MTS Place. You can find Kieran Hurley‘s recap of the Winnipeg Jets comeback overtime victory against the Calgary Flames here. He also has some great insights on the victory here.

Although we are only one game into the new season, there are some things we saw last night that reinforced some beliefs about the team, raised some concerns about the team, and also gave Jets fans some hope.

Here are three likely way too early conclusions based on Jets victory number one of 2021.

3. Sami Niku is a Seventh or Eighth defenseman on the roster.

Many fans thought it was a harsh assessment of Sami Niku when Paul Maurice declared him as solidly in the top eight defensemen on the roster. Niku was pressed into action against the Flames on the third pairing against Calgary as Dylan DeMelo was absent due to the birth of his first child (congratulations to the DeMelo’s).

While it is unfair to compare Niku to arguably the Jets best defensive defenseman, Niku showed last night that he still struggles at the NHL level. Niku was paired with Nathan Beaulieu and for the most part, looked hesitant in his decision making; slightly out of position most of the game; and a bit overwhelmed by the physicality and speed of the Flames.

Niku has talent as evidenced by his 2017-18 AHL defenseman of the year award. However, it appears at this stage Niku is who coach Paul Maurice indicated – a seventh or eighth defenseman on the Jets roster. Further, I would think that he will soon be surpassed on the depth chart by Ville Heinola, Logan Stanley, and Dylan Samberg.

2. The Jets have found a fourth line

Last season the Jets struggled to put together a fourth line that coach Paul Maurice trusted even for short minutes. Veteran players such as Nick Shore and Gabriel Bourque did not really provide a consistent level of play required even for the fourth line.

Veteran Mark Letestu had his season cut short by injuries. Younger Jets players struggled with the caliber of NHL even on the fourth line.

This season general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff signed veterans Trevor Lewis and Nate Thompson. Lewis had an impressive camp and brings Stanley Cup winning experience from his time with the Los Angeles Kings. Both players were joined on the fourth line by Jets veteran Mathieu Perreault, who passed through NHL waivers and returned to the club.

Although this trio of players only had approximately 10 minutes of ice time, they demonstrated something important for a fourth line – an identity. They played a fast, hard forechecking, defensively responsible game against a tough Flames team.

The Jets top six forwards will ultimately factor into the teams’ success more than the fourth line. However, as we have seen in recent NHL playoffs, contending teams need to have a fourth line that can play some minutes and not be a liability.