Many times during this 2021 offseason, our site has written about the fact that there will be three spots open on the Winnipeg Jets third and fourth lines going into the upcoming season with Mason Appleton getting selected by the Seattle Kraken and the Jets whole fourth line (Perreault, Lewis, Thompson) departing the club in free agency. Winnipeg was able to fill one of those roles when they signed, veteran forward, Riley Nash earlier this offseason.
With the Jets’ current salary cap situation, it looks like those remaining opening spots will be left open for competition between the likes of Jansen Harkins, David Gustafsson, Kristian Vesalinen, Dominic Toninato, and even maybe Cole Perfetti.
But there was one player, who was signed by the Manitoba Moose a couple of weeks ago that could also be a candidate to fill one of these bottom-six roles for the Jets.
Evgeny Svechnikov could challenge for a lineup spot for the Winnipeg Jets
Before the Moose signed Svechnikov, it was reported that both the Jets and Svechnikov were mutually interested in signing a deal and subsequently Svechnikov put pen to paper on a one-year contract with the Jets’ AHL affiliate.
Svechnikov can definitely earn a contract with the Jets and the fact that the Jets were interested in a deal with the former 2015 first-round draft pick shows they think highly of him.
Svechnikov could separate himself from the rest of the pack, that is competing for the bottom-six spots, in the fact that he has something different to offer than the rest.
The twenty-four-year-old is more of an offensive talent and goal scorer. He is known for his creativity in the offensive zone. Although the 2021 season was a small sample size for Svechnikov, he did have three goals and five assists in 21 games with the Red Wings.
Svechnikov’s style of play could offer Paul Maurice and the Jets coaching staff a nice matchup option depending on the Jets opponent.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: Do you predict at some point during the 2021-2022 regular season, Evgeny Svechnikov will be a regular in the Jets’ lineup? Leave your comments below!
*All Stats Provided by Elite Prospects*