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Muerto · 03-30-2020, 10:00 AM

S53 Winnipeg Jets Jets

INTRO

The preseason is over, and the SHL is beginning Season 53 amid much hooplah and excitement (and probably the occasional glitch!) as we switch to the FHM era.

Our beloved Jets had an up and down outing in the leadup games, finishing with 3 wins and 4 losses. They struggled to score against their tougher opponents, potting only 2 goals in those 4 losses.

But the preseason doesn't mean much, and when the regular season begins for the Jets with a visit to San Francisco to take on the Pride on opening night, they will look to take what they learned and turn it up when it matters.

Not too many people are giving them much of a chance to make any noise, with most pundits predicting that they will battle Minnesota for last place in the North West division.

But the Jets have pride, and the Jets have hope, and they won't go down without a fight!

Without further ado, let's meet your Season 53 Winnipeg Jets!

ROSTER

ELITE

Nick Brain 'A'

Brain was selected by the Jets 11th overall in the very deep S46 Draft. He has proven to be a steal at that spot as he is one of the highest earners of that class. He has been the offensive leader of the Jets the last 2 seasons as he has come into his prime and is only getting better. With 2 seasons in a row of hitting a point-per-game pace, 'Big Dick Nick' is poised to be a leader of the team for seasons to come.
His game is balanced between offense, defense, and physicality, so he can be tasked in whatever role he may be needed for as the game demands it. He'll get big minutes in all roles and will often be asked to face off against the opponent's best line. There is no doubt he will be up to the challenge!

TOP SKILLS: Offensive Read=17 Defensive Read=17 Shooting Accuracy=17
GAME RATING: 73 TOP ROLE: Two-Way Forward

Commander Shepard

Shepard was drafted along with Brain in the S46 Draft, an insane steal at 53rd overall. Despite being more of a defensive specialist, he has had 2 straight seasons of 40+ points as he has worked his way onto the top line through dedication and high performance. He is by far the best defensive forward on the team and will often be tasked with shadowing the other team's best player, while still contributing to the offense with his top-tier playmaking skills. Still improving, another player entering his prime and looking to have another strong season!

TOP SKILLS: Defensive Read=18 Positioning=18 Checking=18
GAME RATING: 64 TOP ROLE: Two-Way Forward

Slip McScruff 'C'

McScruff joined the Jets when they selected him 13th Overall in the S45 SHL Draft, and are they ever glad he fell to them at that spot. 'Scrufdaddy' is an elite-level defenceman, and in preseason was ranked as the grittiest player in the league. He is a monster in his own zone and intruders be warned, you won't skate away unscathed. Skilled and fierce, he is the team Captain and his dedication to his personal growth and development is second to none on the team. He is just entering his prime now and will log big minutes as he patrols the defensive end looking to punish his opponents.

TOP SKILLS: Checking=17 Hitting=17 Strength=17
GAME RATING: 71 TOP ROLE: Shutdown Defenceman

REGRESSING

Goku Muerto

Drafted by San Francisco Pride in S43, Muerto has bounced around the league somewhat. He first arrived in Winnipeg in S49 at the trade deadline, he left in Free Agency but returned to Winnipeg in S52, tallying 44 points on the season. He has been a good but not great player in his career, and now that he is regressing, he might have peaked before ever becoming the all-star that he was expected to be.
His game is based largely on superior athletic skills, with speed and acceleration amongst the best in the league. He is geared more towards offense, and has a weaker defensive and physical game. He has the ability to be a top scorer in the game, but the window to be elite is starting to close.

TOP SKILLS: Speed=20 Acceleration=19 Puck Handling=19
GAME RATING: 80 TOP ROLE: Speedy Forward

Ignatius Blunt

Drafted 20th Overall by Winnipeg in S43, Blunt has been a mainstay on the Jets roster since S44, winning the Cup in his rookie season with the upstart Jets team. Through his career, Blunt has worked his way up the lineup, steadily improving and filling in capably as a top 6 forward. Blunt has a nose for the net, scoring 33 goals over the last 2 seasons, and also has decent playmaking skills. Entering his first season of regression, Blunt had a good showing in preseason, and projects to contribute on the 2nd line and powerplay.

TOP SKILLS: Passing=19 Agility=18 Puck Handling=16
GAME RATING: 65 TOP ROLE: Counter-Attacking Forward

Terrance Nova

Way back in S32, Terrance 'Super' Nova was drafted by the Minnesota Chiefs 9th Overall. Some 20-odd seasons later, the legend is still out there giving it is all, even though he is starting to be severely crippled by regression. He had a bounce-back season with Winnipeg last year, signed as a Free Agent he put up an outstanding 41 points, good for 4th on the team, and a team-best +20 rating.
Although he is more of a 3rd line role player now, he still has some offensive pop and should also see time on the powerplay on his quest to reach 1000 points. He is the second Alternate Captain for the team which respects his age and wisdom and his ability to mentor his younger teammates.

TOP SKILLS: Passing=17 Offensive Read=17 Puck Handling=16
GAME RATING: 52 TOP ROLE: Two-Way Forward

Gary Grease

An original Winnipeg draft pick, Grease was selected 12th overall but has outlasted most of his draft class and is still going strong, despite starting to feel the effects of regression.
He has been a crucial player in the Jets lineup for many seasons now, including being a vital part of

TOP SKILLS: Defensive Read=18 Offensive Read=18 Positioning=17
GAME RATING: 55 TOP ROLE: Two-Way Defenceman

YOUNG GUNS

Calogeri Crudelli

The Jets selected Crudelli with the 5th overall pick in the S48 Draft, and he has quickly grown to be an emerging offensive talent. The switch to FHM sees him create as a sniper, the most pure goal scorer on the team. Quick and shifty with a knack for getting open to release his lethal shot, the Jets hope that Crudelli will keep on the same pace of improvement that he has shown in his first 2 seasons. He will ride shotgun on the first line and powerplay, and will be relied upon to fill the back of the net.

TOP SKILLS: Shooting Accuracy=18 Speed=17 Getting Open=16
GAME RATING: 63 TOP ROLE: Sniper

Adam Barron

Barron was the first overall pick in the S50 Draft and has been everything the Jets hoped he would be with that selection. He had a stellar rookie season for the Jets last season, and has quickly established himself as a top 4 option on the blue line. He has a tendency to join the rush and quarterback the powerplay, and with continued development will see himself as a top-tier defender for seasons to come. Paired up with the defensive giant McScruff, Barron should have more freedom to contribute as a threat in the offensive zone, especially on special teams.

TOP SKILLS: Offensive Read=16 Shooting Range=16 Speed=15
GAME RATING: 66 TOP ROLE: Rushing Defenceman

Eric Vanderberg

Another S46 product, he was drafted by Buffalo at 51st overall. He has continued to develop his game and has emerged as a top 4 Dman for the Jets after joining them last season via trade. He struggled to put up big numbers in the SimonT era, but the switch to FHM might be the boost he needs to really have a breakout season. He looks to be more of an offensive-minded defender, with good puckhandling skills and the vision to make creative breakout plays and passes, and joining the rush often. Paired with the more defensive Grease, they should be able to find a nice balance and complement each other's skillsets.

TOP SKILLS: Passing=17 Puckhandling=17 Defensive Read=17
GAME RATING: 61 TOP ROLE: Quarterback Defenceman

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Jr. *Rookie*

The 4th Overall pick in the S51 Draft, 'Zib' has been steadily and solidly developing and will make his SHL debut this season. His build is well-balanced and preseason showed that he could more than hold his own. He continues to grow and, along with Barron, is looked to as the future cornerstone of the D-corps, but for now, he is eager to get his feet wet and show the league that he is ready to go!

TOP SKILLS: Passing=15 Puckhandling=15 Defensive Read=15
GAME RATING: 58 TOP ROLE: Two-Way Defenceman

Ricky Bobby Jr. *Rookie*

Drafted to the Jets in S50 along with Barron, Bobby was the 10th overall pick and initially shot up the TPE charts and seemed to be a sure-fire blue-chip prospect. Then, he wasn't. His development has stalled and doesn't seem to be going anywhere, but nonetheless he had put in enough effort to be a fringe 3rd liner. He has a decent shot and is responsible enough defensively, but the best he might be is to hopefully not be a liability in his rookie debut.

TOP SKILLS: Shooting Accuracy=16 Puckhandling=15 Checking=15
GAME RATING: 51 TOP ROLE: Up and Down Winger

Journeymen

Kristoffer Svensson

The last of the Class of S46, Svensson went 28th Overall to Buffalo, and was with them until this off-season, after a low-key decent career with them, consistently putting up 20ish points. The Jets acquired him in a trade that created way more controversy than the pick-up of a 3rd line player should generate, but nonetheless he joins the Jets and will be asked to be the defensive anchor of the 3rd line. Preseason showed he has the chops to compete, and maybe just maybe the Jets will end up happy that they picked him up despite the vitriol from the critics.

TOP SKILLS: Defensive Read=18 Passing=17 Puckhandling=17
GAME RATING: 57 TOP ROLE: Two-Way Forward

Reginald Rove

Originally drafted 15th overall by the Manhattam Rage in S39, Rove had a wonderful career in Manhattan before being traded to the Jets prior to S51. He has struggled to maintain his high level of play since joining the Jets, but the switch to FHM has the team hoping he can still be productive despite continuing to regress. He has strong defensive instincts and will likely be asked to play more of a checking role this season.

TOP SKILLS: Defensive Read=17 Stickchecking=17 Positioning=16
GAME RATING: 58 TOP ROLE: Two-Way Forward

Osbert Whacker

Drafted 48th Overall by the New Orleans Specters in S46, Whacker is a fringe SHLer but finds a home on the Jets as the 6th defenceman. He will be tasked with providing a more defensive counterpart to his rookie partner Ibrahomivic Jr. and shouldn't be expected to provide much more than taking care of his own zone.

TOP SKILLS: Checking=16 Positioning=16 Checking=16
GAME RATING: 53 TOP ROLE: Stay-at-Home Defenceman

TENDIES

Vivien Leblanc

Leblanc originally was drafted by Toronto in S45, but had joined the Jets by his rookie season in S47. He's been the starter for several seasons, and is best described as all-around average. He might steal a few games and he might cost them a few games but he is generally reliable and had a strong pre-season, if he can keep them in games that is the best the Jets can ask for.

TOP SKILLS: Positioning=18 Reflexes=18 Low Shots=16
GAME RATING: 71 TOP ROLE: Starter

Aleksandr Aleksandrov

Another original Jets draft pick, he was selected in the 3rd round in S45. He's never played a game and FHM willing, he never will.

TOP SKILLS: Reflexes=14 Blocker=12 Gloves=12
GAME RATING: -- TOP ROLE: EBUG

PROSPECTS

>>Strom Chamberlain - S52 1st RD - 7th OV. Will play the required backup games for the Jets as he recovers from a broken hand. Backstopped the Anaheim Outlaws to the 4 Star cup, and looks to defend it this season.
>>Bale - S52 2nd RD - 23rd OV. Also defending the Outlaw's Championship, Bale is a strong player offensively and projects to join the team as soon as next season.
>>Theo Golury - S52 2nd RD - 30th OV. Falling behind in his development, the chances of his ever becoming an SHL player grow slimmer every week.
>>Magnus Liljestrom - S53 1st RD, 1st OV. Future stud!
>>Reid Sutherland - S53 1st RD, 14th OV. Future stud!

>>The corpses of 6 inactive prospects still under contract: Let this be a warning to future potential GMs about giving maximum ELC's to unproven prospects.

OUTLOOK

With the league changing to a format where only 4 teams from each conference will make the playoffs, this creates additional pressure for the Jets to
try and crack the post-season. Most rankings would have the Jets somewhere in the 5th-6th spot in the West - the chance to overtake teams like Calgary or Edmonton in their own division, or leapfrogging one of San Francisco, Los Angeles, or New Orleans seems unlikely.
However, players like Brain and Muerto could be game-changers with their offensive talents, and if the team continues to develop and mesh, it's not impossible that they could make some noise. However, without elite goaltending and the bulk of the defensive corps still finding their game in the big leagues, it's more likely that the team will have moderate success but yet still fall short of returning to the playoffs.

MY PREDICTIONS

The Jets will finish with a .500 record, give or take a couple wins or losses here and there.
Nick Brain will emerge as a legitimate MVP candidate.
Goku Muerto will be a top 10 scorer in the league.
Slip McScruff will be a candidate for Defensive Defenseman of the Year

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THAT'S IT!

Let's go Jets!

Jets

soulja · 03-30-2020, 10:19 AM

lets go

reid · 03-30-2020, 10:26 AM

Muerto · 03-30-2020, 10:27 AM

Annnnnnd we start the season off with a 7-0 loss.

Guess I'll die.

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