• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
Jets

Jets Own the Best Top-Six in the North, and it Isn’t Even Close

January 8, 2021
Andrei Vasilevskiy Favorite To Win The 2020-21 Vezina Trophy

Andrei Vasilevskiy Favorite To Win The 2020-21 Vezina Trophy

January 15, 2021
Devils Show Promise In Opening Night Loss

Devils Show Promise In Opening Night Loss

January 15, 2021
ADVERTISEMENT
Opening Night Win Affirms Bruins Have To Extend Tuukka Rask’s Contract

Opening Night Win Affirms Bruins Have To Extend Tuukka Rask’s Contract

January 15, 2021
Islanders

New York Islanders Blank Rangers 4-0 In NHL Opener

January 15, 2021
Key Takeaways from the Penguins Season Opener

Key Takeaways from the Penguins Season Opener

January 14, 2021
Strong Third Period Powers Flyers To Opening-Night Win

Strong Third Period Powers Flyers To Opening-Night Win

January 14, 2021
Top 10 NHL 2020-21 Calder Trophy Candidates

Top 10 NHL 2020-21 Calder Trophy Candidates

January 14, 2021
senators

Senators Roster/Taxi Squad Named – Who’s In? Who’s Out?

January 13, 2021
Yegor Sharangovich

Yegor Sharangovich To Have Major Impact For New Jersey Devils

January 13, 2021
Chase Is On To Reach Career Milestones During 2021 NHL Regular Season

Chase Is On To Reach Career Milestones During 2021 NHL Regular Season

January 13, 2021
NHL

All the Stanley Cup and NHL Divisional Odds Ahead of Opening Night

January 13, 2021
Leafs Hope That Added Experience Will Lead to NHL Playoff Success

Leafs Hope That Added Experience Will Lead to NHL Playoff Success

January 13, 2021
  • Full Press Coverage
  • Full Press Wrestling
  • Full Press Radio Network
  • FullPressShop.com
  • Want to write for us?
  • Advertise With Us


Friday, January 15, 2021
Full Press Hockey
  • NHL
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • AHL
  • KHL
  • Fantasy Hockey
  • NHL Draft
  • Prospects
  • Podcasts
    • Big Bad Bruins Podcast
    • Off The Post Radio
    • C4 Canucks Podcast
    • High and Wide Radio
    • Fourth Line Hockey Pod
    • The Calder Farmstead (Coming Soon)
  • Full Press Coverage
  • Shop
No Result
View All Result
  • NHL
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • AHL
  • KHL
  • Fantasy Hockey
  • NHL Draft
  • Prospects
  • Podcasts
    • Big Bad Bruins Podcast
    • Off The Post Radio
    • C4 Canucks Podcast
    • High and Wide Radio
    • Fourth Line Hockey Pod
    • The Calder Farmstead (Coming Soon)
  • Full Press Coverage
  • Shop
No Result
View All Result
Full Press Hockey
No Result
View All Result
Home NHL Central Division Winnipeg Jets

Jets Own the Best Top-Six in the North, and it Isn’t Even Close

A Well-Rounded Offence Should Help Winnipeg Achieve Success

Carter Brooks by Carter Brooks
January 8, 2021
in Central Division, Featured, NHL, Winnipeg Jets
0
1.1k
SHARES
3.2k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Winnipeg’s top two lines are set to be the very best of the entire NHL’s Scotia North Division. No, the Jets do not own like likes of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl or Auston Matthews, but it takes more than just one or two generational talents to maintain success.

With the return of Paul Stastny to Winnipeg’s depth chart, the insistence of winger Patrik Laine on focusing on “this season”, the possibilities are endless for the Jets’ top-six and No. 1 and 2 power play units.

RelatedPosts

Andrei Vasilevskiy Favorite To Win The 2020-21 Vezina Trophy

Andrei Vasilevskiy Favorite To Win The 2020-21 Vezina Trophy

January 15, 2021
2.4k
Devils Show Promise In Opening Night Loss

Devils Show Promise In Opening Night Loss

January 15, 2021
2.4k
Opening Night Win Affirms Bruins Have To Extend Tuukka Rask’s Contract

Opening Night Win Affirms Bruins Have To Extend Tuukka Rask’s Contract

January 15, 2021
2.8k
Islanders

New York Islanders Blank Rangers 4-0 In NHL Opener

January 15, 2021
2.4k

With the second line centerman position having been a cause for concern the last number of years, that hole was glorified in 2019-20 when Bryan Little went down with a head injury (Little has yet to return to hockey) and a mad scramble was on to find a fitting piece. Short-term experiments involving the aforementioned Stastny, Kevin Hayes and Andrew Copp appear to have sizzled out with Winnipeg’s current training camp situation.

Jets head coach Paul Maurice spoke this past week of his interest in having “a mix of size and speed” on his blueline and defensive pairings. That message appears to have translated to his top-six as well, with Nikolaj Ehlers earning a hefty promotion off the bat, seeing a jump onto the first line, with Kyle Connor now shifting to the team’s second unit.

“Nikolaj has made developments in his defensive game,” coach Maurice told local reporters. “He’s just older, he’s more experienced. He understands how important it is in the defensive zone and what you do with the puck in the offensive zone, your risk profile based on who you’re playing against. He’s a more mature person, a more mature player. His numbers would say he’s earned the right to play against the other team’s best.”

Although some numbers may clash with what Maurice is indicating, the overall idea of shifting Ehlers up alongside Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler will help provide some serious speed and zone entry assistance on the Jets’ offence.

#NHLJets Paul Maurice seemed to suggest today that Connor has been a better defensive player that Ehlers in the past. The metrics tell a very different story. pic.twitter.com/JhuRcsYvAq

— Aavco Cup (@AavcoCup) January 7, 2021

 

 

“Coach is right to say I play my best hockey as a shooter,” Ehlers said on Zoom. “You’re going to make your plays, but I play faster and I skate more when I play with that shooter’s mentality. I felt like I did well last year, I want to be doing it more, obviously. And that chemistry is already there (with Wheeler and Scheifele). We know what our game plan is as a line. It’s going to be exciting for me to just go out there and skate as fast as I can, as much as I can, create space for those two guys and find holes.”

On the other side of it, Connor took the lineup adjustment in stride, pointing out his relationship with both Stastny and Laine is one that he believes will produce much success.

“He really doesn’t necessarily care who he plays with, it’s not an issue for him,” Maurice said of Connor’s attitude towards the newly-formed top-six and his role moving forward. “He’s going to tell you ‘they’re two phenomenal players. They’re different than Scheif and Wheels, but I’m going to get my opportunities with either line.’ I told him which line he was going on and he said ‘that’s great.'”

And Connor, true to course, did just that.

“Getting to know Stastny, he’s a smart player, he takes care of his body, he really pays attention to detail,” Connor said. “It has been fun to learn from him and take everything I can. I’ve got some familiarity with Patty. We had some great chemistry right from the get to last year. Even in past years, we’ve been together for a limited time.”

“Paulie’s got a pretty good shot,” Connor added. “He’s sneaky as well. I’ve seen it from the beginning of camp. Patty has been able to make plays and myself as well. It’s more making the right play at the right time. If it’s a shot, we all have to be shooters. If not, we all have that skill to make that play.”

The other winger on that line, Patrik Laine, has already made comments suggesting the combination of himself alongside Stastny and Connor is for the better, and here to stay.

“We had some really good games when Stastny was here and he’s obviously a really good addition to our top-six,” Laine said on Monday. “With him and KC on the other side, I think we can do some real damage and I’m excited to get the season going and see what we can do. That’s the thing that pushes me forward every day. Obviously, Paul’s going to help me with that, KC on the other side, I think we can do something really, really good this year. Just really excited.”

Scheifele, who is now somehow already entering his eighth full season in the show was quick to compliment the newcomer, Stastny, indicating his sense of awareness and similarities both on and off the ice.

“We’re always on the same wave length,” Scheifele said. “Having a guy like that in the room means a lot to me for sure. A guy that loves hockey, a guy that loves to work on his game and work on his body. Stas is a specimen in that sense. A very intelligent hockey mind.”

Scheifele is known for his hockey sense and consistently high levels of competitiveness. Now set to face-off against players such as Matthews, McDavid, Draisaitl, Elias Pettersson and both Tkachuks, the firepower very well may be matched up against the now-veteran Center, best vs. best. With two top-lines as deep as Winnipeg now boasts, this should benefit the Jets in terms of game-by-game matchups.

“When you play against teams that have two powerful offensive lines, you go into the game with an idea. But then you have to judge real quick which one is going,” coach Maurice said. “It’ll be interesting to watch to see how that’s matched. Mark likes to go head-to-head with the best and show the hockey world where he sees himself. I don’t know if people would watch Mark Scheifele play as much as you’d see the games in Toronto or the Connor McDavid games. He wants in that mix.”

Scheifele, quick to follow up on the comments made by his coach, agreed wholeheartedly. With 10 games against both Toronto and Ottawa and another nine games against each of Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, and Montreal, both the Ehlers-Scheifele-Wheeler line and the Laine-Stastny-Connor line will certainly see significant action.

“I look forward to playing against good players,” the Jets’ top centre said. “Whether it’s Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Brendan Gallagher, it’s going to be fun. That first game is going to be fun and it makes it all that much better that we’re playing against Calgary.”






Tags: Blake WheelerFeaturedJetsKyle ConnorMark ScheifeleNHLNikolaj EhlersPatrik LainePaul MauricePaul StastnyWinnipegWinnipeg Jets
Previous Post

Flyers’ Coach Alain Vigneault: “We Are In This To Win The Stanley Cup”

Next Post

Senators Logan Brown and Josh Norris Vying For Spots at Centre

Carter Brooks

Carter Brooks

Next Post
Senators Logan Brown and Josh Norris Vying For Spots at Centre

Senators Logan Brown and Josh Norris Vying For Spots at Centre

Bruins

Possible Last Chapter Of Bruins’ Tale Of Two Centers Starts Now

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Doing it for Dad: COVID Tragedy Added Fuel for Keegan Kolesar

Doing it for Dad: COVID Tragedy Added Fuel for Keegan Kolesar

October 21, 2020
gibson

Gibson Could Solidify Maple Leafs’ Goaltending Future

November 7, 2020
Happy New Year Charlie McAvoy, Bruins Are Your Team Now

Happy New Year Charlie McAvoy, Bruins Are Your Team Now

December 31, 2020
COVID-19

A COVID-19 Disaster In The KHL

23
Chara

Bruins Let Zdeno Chara Leave At Wrong Time

3
Bruins

What Is The Plan, Don?

2
Andrei Vasilevskiy Favorite To Win The 2020-21 Vezina Trophy

Andrei Vasilevskiy Favorite To Win The 2020-21 Vezina Trophy

January 15, 2021
Devils Show Promise In Opening Night Loss

Devils Show Promise In Opening Night Loss

January 15, 2021
Opening Night Win Affirms Bruins Have To Extend Tuukka Rask’s Contract

Opening Night Win Affirms Bruins Have To Extend Tuukka Rask’s Contract

January 15, 2021


  • The Bright Side #9
    by HW Radio on January 15, 2021 at 10:23 pm

    Josh and Jim are back for the Season Premiere of The Bright Side and we have a TON of positive […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/42958636/https_d3ctxlq1ktw2nl_cloudfront_net_staging_2021_0_15_cb77883e_b55e_bf34_cba9_1370fe2bac18.mp3
  • Ep 51: Bergeron Dons The "C", Picking Up the Chara/Krug Slack; Season Expectations
    by Full Press Coverage on January 13, 2021 at 9:45 pm

    Mike Cratty of the Sal and Cratty Show and BlackNGoldHockey.com joins Ian and Chris to discuss […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV4804938996.mp3
  • HW 3.18 The Boys Are Back!
    by HW Radio on January 13, 2021 at 5:52 am

    In episode 18 of Season 3 we finally have our Season Preview episode!! That's right, the […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/42911631/https_d3ctxlq1ktw2nl_cloudfront_net_staging_2021_0_13_145080262_44100_2_d1ada05de1aee.mp3
  • New Year, New Season - Jan. 12, 2020
    by Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2021 at 10:30 pm

    Only a day away from the return to NHL action, in what will be a very surreal (and short) 2021 […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV2540685750.mp3
  • 1/12 - Belichick Declines; More Wild Card Reaction; John Sapochetti Joins the Show
    by Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2021 at 10:09 pm

    Ian and Mike discuss Patriots coach, Bill Belichick declining the Presidential Medal of Freedom, […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/42907329/adv3451008763.mp3
  • 1/11 - NFL Wild Card Recap
    by Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2021 at 10:05 pm

    Ian and Mike recap Super Wild Card weekend in the NFL as the Divisional round takes shape.Learn […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/42907328/adv5905159114.mp3
All Shows

  • Andrei Vasilevskiy Favorite To Win The 2020-21 Vezina Trophy
    by Jim Biringer on January 16, 2021 at 12:37 am

    The NHL season is finally here and Andrei Vasilevskiy is the early favorite to take home the Vezina […]

  • In Goff We Trust: Rams Ready for Green Bay
    by Ryan Adverderada on January 15, 2021 at 11:59 pm

    The Los Angeles Rams are hopeful that Jared Goff can be the one that leads the franchise to an […]

  • AL Notes: LeMahieu Deal Helps Yankees With Luxury Tax Issues
    by Michael Augello on January 15, 2021 at 10:33 pm

    The New York Yankees finally broke through the free-agent freeze on Friday by re-signing infielder […]

  • Die-Hard Ravens Fan Jason Song Predicts Baltimore Upset Over Buffalo
    by Kayla Morton on January 15, 2021 at 10:27 pm

    Jason Song is a WR/RB for the Howard County Hawks, a branch of the Special Olympics affiliated with […]

  • Chiefs vs Browns Preview: Three Keys To Victory
    by Braden Holecek on January 15, 2021 at 7:37 pm

    Chiefs vs Browns Preview: Three Keys To Victory. How can either the Chiefs or the Browns win on […]

Full Press Hockey

2020 Full Press Coverage

Navigate Site

  • NHL
  • AHL
  • KHL
  • Fantasy Hockey
  • NHL Draft
  • Prospects
  • Podcasts
  • Full Press Coverage
  • Shop

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • NHL
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • AHL
  • KHL
  • Fantasy Hockey
  • NHL Draft
  • Prospects
  • Podcasts
    • Big Bad Bruins Podcast
    • Off The Post Radio
    • C4 Canucks Podcast
    • High and Wide Radio
    • Fourth Line Hockey Pod
    • The Calder Farmstead (Coming Soon)
  • Full Press Coverage
  • Shop

2020 Full Press Coverage