Jets Itching to Complete Ascent

[GoJetsGo]

WINNIPEG, MB -- Winnipeg's citizens have suffered through fifteen long years of AHL hockey and empty promises about a second go-around in EHEC following the departure in 1996. The crowning gut check for this group of Canadians occurred just a couple summers back, as the rumor swirled about a potential return from the desert. Naturally, Mr. Ramsden's Coyotes would go on to win the Stanley Cup, pouring further salt into the wound. However, during the subsequent offseason, reviled commissioner Adam Burke was forced to confront the dire circumstances facing the Atlanta franchise. Sure, the province once again had their own professional team, but once the novelty wore off Manitobans were inheriting a woeful organization.

Everyone is familiar with the near miraculous story of the 2011-12 Winnipeg Jets. A lottery franchise certainly had a few top prospects, but nothing that appeared to resemble a playoff team. Shrewd selections and deals helped to create the core of a division champion seemingly overnight. The defense first mentality of GM Tom Kennish and his staff proved to be prudent when crossed with fortunate circumstances within the division. 2011 pick Sean Couturier cracked the club's top six forwards by the end of the season. Tampa Bay GM Justin Cote felt compelled to retool his roster following the injury-forced retirement of Vincent Lecavalier. A prominent contender was not only sidelined for a season, a risky trade between the clubs added another young talent to a budding roster.

Washington faded down the stretch handing the Southeast Division to the young upstarts. Improbably, good fortune continued for three rounds of the postseason. Montreal fans left Bell Centre shocked by Pacioretty and Huberdeau. Pittsburgh was weakened by injuries to key contributors. The calendar had reached early June and Winnipeg still had games left on the schedule. Couture was lost for the Cup Final in game two, then hope was momentarily restored following game four. Two one goal games later and a whirlwind season was finished. Not even three weeks later EHEC would hold the 2012 Entry Draft. This was a quick turn around for a GM and staff who had spent the prior summer sweating out the lottery process.

Reflections and Actions

*Top-down organizational refocus for the 2012-13 campaign. GM Kennish called on all organization personnel to take a few weeks following the draft to relish accomplishments, but to also erase any hangover from the prior campaign. If management is prepared for a new title chase the sentiment should spread on to the players.

*Minor adjustments in response to playoff shortcomings. Offense needs to become more well-rounded. Bergeron and Huberdeau carried a heavy burden during the playoff run. Power play could use additional weapons in the arsenal.

Action: Added Brad Boyes and Alec Martinez via Backstrom trade. Jack Campbell unambiguously given starting goaltender position.

*Roster as assembled has less than a quarter of a regular season played together. Playoff performance created no necessity to implement drastic change. Star players were considered in trades this offseason, but nothing serious materialized. Trades that were consummated did not involve core pieces.

Action: Minor maneuvers. Upgrade Girardi for a better fit in Derek Morris. Find value for underutilized assets. Ellerby swapped for a 1st round pick, Adam Gilmour.

*Jonathan Huberdeau may be one of the young stars on the club, but his taste in music blows. Below his selection for the 2012-2013 team entrance song.



Rounding Out the Roster

*Forwards and defense were in large part determined before the preseason action. Only questions are on the fringe. For example, seventh defense.. Noah Welch/Greg Zanon/Rob Scuderi Choice was Scuderi based solely on salary flexibility.

*Thirteenth forward. Comeau/Prust/Fedoruk all waiting for an opportunity.

*Club anxious to determine if Mikko Koskinen can competently backup Jack Campbell.

Prospects

*Majority graduated into key roles with the squad during the 2011-12 season. Couturier/Huberdeau/Gormley/Pietrangelo/Campbell to be specific.

*Adam Gilmour is the bright star in what is now a weak prospect group. Clone of GM Tom Kennish will compete with the St. John's franchise in the AHL. Beyond Gilmour 2012 draft projects are the players to follow.

Prediction

Every divisional game will be a battle this season. Washington effectively retooled by sending Ovechkin away for a promising collection of youth. With improved lineups Carolina could have easily won the Southeast last season. We were happy to avoid them in the first round. Tampa Bay once again has arguably three of the top five players in the league. Florida essentially adds two top six forwards [Weiss and Granlund] to a roster that had the league's leading scorer.

Beyond the division.. Montreal and Buffalo will remain worthy adversaries with talent to contend on a nightly basis. Penguins are a frightening bunch. And they just added David Backes to the fold. Memo to Ray Emery.. Sieve, sieve, sieve!

Jets prediction.. Injuries will play a role this season. Our biggest injury came during the San Jose series last season. Gut feeling is that Carolina wins a very tight battle for the division crown. Jets end up as a 4 or 5 seed and meet Tampa Bay in round one. Trash talk will be good natured, but entertaining. FUCK MARTIN BRODEUR. Sorry, it slipped. Round two rematch with Pittsburgh.

[GoJetsGo]

If this passes muster:

+5 LE to Jack Campbell, Sean Couturier, and Jonathan Huberdeau.

[Commish Bub(NYR)]

Nice write up = +1

Miley Cyrus vid = -1 million

[Jets GM]

haha, nice write-up Tommy.

[GoJetsGo]

LE boosts: Campbell, Couturier, Huberdeau