Winnipeg Jets: Three Talking Points as The Jets Lose to The Flyers

2. The Jets Prospects Are Playing Well

Thanks to injuries and Covid protocols, all NHL teams like the Jets have been forced to test the depth in their organizations. For the Jets, this has meant that many players have played their first NHL games this season, and some of the Jets’ prospects have pushed themselves into a regular role with the big club.

At the top of this list has been forward Cole Perfetti who started with the big club playing mostly in the bottom six and has since cemented his role in the top six playing alongside Pierre Luc Dubois and Kyle Connor. Perfetti has been as advertised, an extremely smart player with excellent vision, instincts, and passing ability.

His assist on the lone goal last night to Kyle Connor was a great example of this. And like Connor before him, his play has been so impressive that he should remain on this Jets top line even when Ehlers returns to the lineup.

On defense, the Jets prospects Johnathan Kovacevic, Dylan Samberg, and Declan Chisholm all were able to play their first NHL games this season. All of these players looked promising in their NHL debuts, and each of them improved the more they played.

Arguably the Jets’ best defense prospect, Ville Heinola, has also been inserted into the lineup for four games this season. While I think that Jets fans overestimate his current ability and ceiling, he has improved in each game he plays this season.

The opportunity for these Jets prospects to play in meaningful NHL games benefits the team and gives general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff more options moving into the trade deadline. For example, on defense, perhaps Cheveldayoff may be inclined to move a higher priced veteran contract such as Dylan DeMelo or Brendan Dillon to clear some cap space and give an opportunity to a younger prospect.