Garret's quick breakdown on the #NHLJets defenders, a thread... in descending order of TOI/GP (Edit: except DeMelo who I accidentally did 2nd instead of 4th)

Morrissey:
Thought cause for rough years was usage. While he's still being leaned on heavily minutes wise, he's generally not linematching against the tough linematches or zones or leverage.
Is he in over his head simply not being a #4 like before? Is he just not a top pair guy?

DeMelo:
IMO Jets best defender. He's not going to wow you but a good pro. Has stabalized Morrissey. Maybe more of a guy you want on a 2nd pair or the weaker person on the top pair. Not the stronger on the top pair.

Pionk:
Better than his time in NY, but he's just been average rather than bad. Has more offensive instincts than many Jets but that's a small hurdle. Has taken tough mins with Forbort which may not be where you ultimately want him but as a 2nd pairing guy he gets a passing grade.

Forbort:
A true defensive defender, where you do lose offense with him but does well in his zone. Seems to be doing better recovering from old injury but he's more of a guy you want as a #5/6. Big upgrade on Sbisa though. Did you he avgs more TOI than DeMelo?

Poolman:
A 3rd pairing defender, who probably should be a depth guy. Does have legit PK utility though. He was used way too much previously and I think it really hurt him and the team. Homebrewed by the Jets and had some real potential but maybe not needed anymore.

Beaulieau:
At one time was a decent depth defender in sheltered minutes. That was 2015. Not a great PKer but used there a lot by the Jets. Basically older Poolman, but not good at the PK. Probably shouldn't be on the roster, or at least a depth guy.

Heinola:
Jets prospect with the most upside. Struggled in shot metrics last year but looked good skill wise and has lots of potential. Youth rarely do well off the bat, and even good players have small samples of bad.
Great potential but unproven.

Stanley:
While extremely, extremely sheltered, he's performed well. It's hard to say how good that makes him but you can at least say he can handle soft minutes on the third pair. Learn to PK and Jets have a good 3rd pair LHD.

Niku:
He scored a lot of points in lower leagues and looked good but has struggled in the NHL and his window is closing fast. Was a great pick for a 7th rounder and already a success story there, but that may be it.

Samberg:
Unknown comodotiy but I liked him a lot in WJCs and NCAA. Maybe trail him out there?

You may see a pattern: most of the Jets are decent players to have, but without the elite top end everyone is in a position above what they should be except for maybe DeMelo and Stanley.
The Jets need a top pairing guy to be average at D and maybe 2 to be at avg contender level.

Top pairing guys: ?
2nd pairing guys: DeMelo, Pionk, Morrissey
3rd pairing guys: Forbort, maybe Stanley
Depth: Beaulieu, Poolman
Unknowns: Heinola, Samberg

It's an issue.