Winnipeg Jets Discussion - 2025/2026 season

JockitchwithRich · January 21, 2026, 03:11:21 AM

Quite agree with the ? for Fetts. Do not see him ever being anything more than a PP man with our team. Hope I'm wrong
He has improved on his forechecking and keeping balance on being
contacted. However he is just an average, at best, skater.

A much needed victory and thankfully we got 2 PP goals and the
empty netter.
Incidentally, our 2nd line of Fetts, JT and Gabby didn't register a shot on net.

blue_gold_84 · January 21, 2026, 02:09:33 PM

Nice win last night. But the tank is sad now.

On another note, it's pretty crazy how long this team has struggled to establish a solid second line.

blue_gold_84 · January 21, 2026, 03:40:49 PM

Forgot to post this yesterday but the Jets unveiled their preliminary alumni roster for the Heritage Classic Alumni Game in October. It includes the following players:

Dustin Byfuglien
Blake Wheeler
Bryan Little
Andrew Ladd
Mathieu Perreault
Paul Stastny
Chris Thorburn

Pigskin · January 21, 2026, 10:52:40 PM

Quote from: blue_gold_84 on January 21, 2026, 02:09:33 PMNice win last night. But the tank is sad now.

On another note, it's pretty crazy how long this team has struggled to establish a solid second line.

Yes, and they even broke up one of the best lines in the NHL. GV13 has made the 2nd. line better, but they still aren't putting up enough points 5-5.

blue_gold_84 · January 22, 2026, 01:16:54 PM

Quote from: Pigskin on January 21, 2026, 10:52:40 PMYes, and they even broke up one of the best lines in the NHL. GV13 has made the 2nd. line better, but they still aren't putting up enough points 5-5.

Fortunately, the top line hasn't really missed a beat and Vilardi has helped the second line since the shuffle. However, the production is still a far cry from where it needs (and needed) to be. This team still needs a 2C to help drive the offense, especially when the bottom six can't score.

I'm still hoping on a young gun like Lambert can be that player down the road. In the meantime, though, a proven stopgap would be nice.

Pigskin · January 22, 2026, 06:26:19 PM

Quote from: blue_gold_84 on January 22, 2026, 01:16:54 PMFortunately, the top line hasn't really missed a beat and Vilardi has helped the second line since the shuffle. However, the production is still a far cry from where it needs (and needed) to be. This team still needs a 2C to help drive the offense, especially when the bottom six can't score.

I'm still hoping on a young gun like Lambert can be that player down the road. In the meantime, though, a proven stopgap would be nice.

I think with Chevy not making any moves to improve this team, he's doing a quite tank.

blue_gold_84 · January 22, 2026, 06:48:28 PM

Quote from: Pigskin on January 22, 2026, 06:26:19 PMI think with Chevy not making any moves to improve this team, he's doing a quite tank.

I'd have to imagine the organization has no choice but to embrace the tank when you look at the standings; this team would have to go on an insane run to even get back in the hunt. And even then, to what end? In all likelihood, a WC berth means another first round exit.

Additionally, a top 3 draft pick would be a massive boost considering the last time that happened was a decade ago.

In terms of looking ahead to 2026-27, the GM's top priority has to be a 2C - whatever it takes. The second line has been pretty useless since Dubois' departure.

theaardvark · January 22, 2026, 08:14:28 PM

Quote from: blue_gold_84 on January 22, 2026, 01:16:54 PMFortunately, the top line hasn't really missed a beat and Vilardi has helped the second line since the shuffle. However, the production is still a far cry from where it needs (and needed) to be. This team still needs a 2C to help drive the offense, especially when the bottom six can't score.

I'm still hoping on a young gun like Lambert can be that player down the road. In the meantime, though, a proven stopgap would be nice.

You think we need a 2C?

Pretty sure Toews would, at the moment, be one of the best 2C in the league... but that's just me.

blue_gold_84 · January 22, 2026, 08:43:49 PM

Quote from: theaardvark on January 22, 2026, 08:14:28 PMYou think we need a 2C?

Pretty sure Toews would, at the moment, be one of the best 2C in the league... but that's just me.

Yes, the Jets need a capable 2C looking to the near future and beyond.

By what metrics is Toews "of the best 2Cs in the league" right now? He's excellent in the FO circle but that's about it. He doesn't drive the play like he used to, his offense has declined, his defensive game has slipped, and he's slowed down - all things to be expected of a soon-to-be 38 year-old whose best days are behind him and who spent roughly two years away from the game. I don't fault him, just to be clear; this is a failure of management. The Jets are the oldest team in the NHL and it shows more often than not.

Within the Central alone, I can think of a handful players I'd rather have centering the second line: Steel, Necas, Nelson, O'Reilly, Schenn.

But that's just me.

Pigskin · January 22, 2026, 10:59:14 PM

Well, I guess Matthew the Turtle Tkachuk is in the city.

theaardvark · January 22, 2026, 11:32:22 PM

Quote from: blue_gold_84 on January 22, 2026, 08:43:49 PMYes, the Jets need a capable 2C looking to the near future and beyond.

By what metrics is Toews "of the best 2Cs in the league" right now? He's excellent in the FO circle but that's about it. He doesn't drive the play like he used to, his offense has declined, his defensive game has slipped, and he's slowed down - all things to be expected of a soon-to-be 38 year-old whose best days are behind him and who spent roughly two years away from the game. I don't fault him, just to be clear; this is a failure of management. The Jets are the oldest team in the NHL and it shows more often than not.

Within the Central alone, I can think of a handful players I'd rather have centering the second line: Steel, Necas, Nelson, O'Reilly, Schenn.

But that's just me.

I'm saying today. His season numbers are not great, but his last 5 games are much improved. And his F/O is incredible.

JockitchwithRich · **Today** at 12:02:59 AM

I tend to be a homer but a realist. So though I'm very happy to see Toews in our uni, just can't come close to thinking he is
considered one of the top 2C, even considering his last 5 gms
But hey, that's just me

blue_gold_84 · **Today** at 01:55:55 PM

Good SOL. But now the Jets are 4th last in the league, so the tank is still sad.

Quote from: theaardvark on January 22, 2026, 11:32:22 PMI'm saying today. His season numbers are not great, but his last 5 games are much improved. And his F/O is incredible.

That's just cherry-picking, though. It doesn't bolster the claim he's one of the best 2Cs in the league. I completely agree his being 2nd in the league is FO% is incredible.

Vilardi being moved to the second line has provided a decent-ish boost, but the numbers still don't jump off the page. And that move just reinforces how questionably put together that line was in the first place, IMO.

JockitchwithRich · **Today** at 03:22:43 PM

Garnering the one point last night, though at least a point, our boys most definitely needed that extra number
Super happy that the 3rd period provided a flurry of action, cuz the first 2 were such
yawners. Both goalies played well and the OT was exciting.
Felt so hopeful till the shootout was the undoing for us

No player, in his right mind, will play to Tank. They just won't slack off in hope that
the Draft will provide young talent to take jobs away from
Behind closed doors, the reality of not climbing in the standings no doubt has them pondering different scenarios