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Jets fans can be upset over the lack of having Heinola in the line-up, but let's be honest ... that's not the issue with the team.
With Laine gone, and the resulting variables it has caused with the lines, the spotlight has shone brightly upon various players who have struggled.
With Laine gone, and the resulting variables it has caused with the lines, the spotlight has shone brightly upon various players who have struggled.
The most glaring issues have been with the uber-talented top line. The points have not been an issue, but the inability to maintain even the smallest semblance of defensive responsibility has caused the club to find themselves behind before they have even sent out a 2nd shift.
Scheifele, Connor and Wheeler have proven to be a push-over for the opposition, and when you add the fact that 55 has received more than 26 minutes of ice time on many nights, the team has found itself behind the 8-ball on many occasions this year.
For many - myself included, the insertion of Logan Stanley into the team's defense corps set off alarm bells, as there had been no sign that Stanley really deserved that nod, other than the fact he was a 1st-rd pick and the club wanted to try to see if he was indeed a bust.
Stanley has proven to be more than serviceable, and on many nights has actually looked quite good. Paired with Beaulieu, he has done far more good than harm. So the issue from the defense corps has not come from the bottom pair.
And that's an issue.
And that's an issue.
The biggest problem thus far has been the continued struggle of the top pair - particularly Josh Morrissey.
There are only so many times a year where your best defenseman should look foolish. Most often those occasions have nothing to do with his ability, and are just a one-off.
There are only so many times a year where your best defenseman should look foolish. Most often those occasions have nothing to do with his ability, and are just a one-off.
That hasn't been the case with 44.
The amount of times where he has been made to look like a baby-faced rookie has been nothing short of disturbing. I would hasten to say that the best performance this season for the team's top D-man has been when he was paired with Heinola.
The amount of times where he has been made to look like a baby-faced rookie has been nothing short of disturbing. I would hasten to say that the best performance this season for the team's top D-man has been when he was paired with Heinola.
What does that say ?
As of yet, I'm not sure. There is no question that Heinola deserves to play. But should that come at the expense of a player like Stanley, who has done nothing to deserve demotion ?
I don't think so.
But what is the option for Maurice, and moreso, would
As of yet, I'm not sure. There is no question that Heinola deserves to play. But should that come at the expense of a player like Stanley, who has done nothing to deserve demotion ?
I don't think so.
But what is the option for Maurice, and moreso, would
he dare pull the trigger on a drastic move ?
Would he ever consider pulling a 44 or 2 out of the lineup to offer a shot to a young, up-and-coming player who may be the future of your club from a defensive standpoint ?
Nothing would point to Maurice doing that, as he loves
Would he ever consider pulling a 44 or 2 out of the lineup to offer a shot to a young, up-and-coming player who may be the future of your club from a defensive standpoint ?
Nothing would point to Maurice doing that, as he loves
his veteran players, and will give them every opportunity to pull out of a "funk".
The issue with that, is there are not a great deal of games in this season, and any delay could prove dire for the team's playoff chances.
We also need to see Samberg at some point too.
The issue with that, is there are not a great deal of games in this season, and any delay could prove dire for the team's playoff chances.
We also need to see Samberg at some point too.
For all we know, our future top pairing could be sitting in the press box on a nightly basis, watching as players who are getting top minutes, are making mistakes that the rookies who are watching from a distance probably wouldn't make.
Something has to give here.
Something has to give here.
We can only hope that the arrival of Pierre-Luc Dubois will offer a needed shake-up. Make certain players (yes, I'm staring at you Mark) accountable for their actions. Nothing will make you more uneasy than having your position within a group threatened. Let's hope Dubois'
commitment to defensive responsibility rubs off in a way that it hasn't from the likes of Stastny or Lowry.
This will be far more "Apples to apples" in terms of direct comparison, and may prove to be the cure for what ails this team.
Honestly, Dubois can't get here soon enough.
This will be far more "Apples to apples" in terms of direct comparison, and may prove to be the cure for what ails this team.
Honestly, Dubois can't get here soon enough.
