Winnipeg Jets: Logan Stanley Has Been Outstanding this Season

Coming into the season, the Winnipeg Jets were known as a team with many eye-catching defensive prospects including Ville Heinola, Sami Niku, and Dylan Samberg.

The question was which one of these prospects was going to come up, earn a roster spot, and have an impact with the Jets this season.

Well, the answer for the Jets was not one of those players mentioned above. The prospect that has stepped in and stepped up for the Jets is Logan Stanley.

The Winnipeg Jets have found a solid defenseman in Logan Stanley

Before the season, one of our writers, Dan St. Joseph wrote an article with the title: “Will Logan Stanley Play for the Jets This Season?” and it can be found here or by clicking the link below the “Must Read” link below. I suggest you take a look at the article because Dan was spot on!

Dan wrote about the 6’7″ defenseman and how there are some similarities between him and Zdeno Chara; and how the Jets needed to be patient with the 2016 first round draft pick.

He said that there may be an opportunity for Stanley this year given the uniqueness of the season and he finished the article with a great sentence about Stanley:

"“I am intrigued by his potential as a bone crushing, shut down defenseman. I hope he gets some playing time this season with the Jets.” (Dan St. Joseph, Jets White Out)"

Dan’s insight into Stanley’s potential could not be more right!

Stanley was given an opportunity to dress in his first NHL game on January 18 against the Toronto Maple Leafs when both Tucker Poolman and Dylan DeMelo were out of the lineup.

Fortunately for Stanely, he played extremely well in his debut and Paul Maurice decided to keep the twenty-two-year-old in the lineup.

With a strong run of performances, Stanley could not be removed from the lineup. He offered a strong, physical presence for the Jets on the backend.

Unfortunately, when the Jets were no longer injury-free on defense in mid-February, the Jets coaching staff decided to scratch Stanley over the next month.

Then in early March, Nathan Beaulieu got injured and the Jets inserted Stanley into the lineup in his spot on a pair with DeMelo.

Since then, Stanley and the Jets have not looked back. Stanley has been a mainstay in Winnipeg’s lineup since March 11 and he has played well.

Stanley has been a strong defensive-defenseman for the Jets in his rookie season. He is strong in the defensive zone and plays the game with simplicity, which limits his turnovers and makes him a valuable asset on the Jets’ defensive core.

In his 32 games played this year, Stanley has an impressive +12 plus/minus. He is playing to the style that Dan labeled him as: “A bone crushing, shut down defenseman.”

Stanely has been extremely fun to watch throughout this season as he continues to grow as a solid NHL defenseman. His performances are definitely worthy of taking note of.

Winnipeg Jets Fans: What are your thoughts on Logan Stanley’s performances throughout his rookie season for the Winnipeg Jets? Leave your comments below!

*All Stats Provided by the NHL*