The Winnipeg Jets have bounced back after a trio of consecutive losses to the Canadiens, Rangers, and Vegas. The Jets reclaimed their winning ways after a 5-3 victory over the Arizona Coyotes, a win they desperately needed. In this piece, I will examine two things we’ve learned in the Jets’ latest victory over the Arizona Coyotes.
Previous Game Recap & Statistics
What an absolute fun game to watch. While it didn’t start in Winnipeg’s favor as they went down 1-0 in the first period off a goal from J.J. Moser. Liam O’Brien would score for the Coyotes, putting them up 2-0 early in the second period. However, not too long after, Nino Neiderreiter came out to score his first of three goals in the game. Brendan Dillon would follow Neiderreiter’s lead, scoring his first of the game and of the season.
Lawson Crouse would spoil the Jets’ first comeback by putting the Coyotes up 3-2 after a power play goal. After the Jets looked to have another failed power play attempt, Nino Neiderreiter would score his second goal of the game. Neiderreiter’s second goal would send both teams into the second intermission, tied with three goals each.
When intermission was over, and the teams came back for 20 final minutes, the Jets played their best period of hockey up until this point. While it wasn’t picture-perfect, they showcased their strengths. Brendan Dillon scored his second goal of the game and secured the Jets’ first and only lead. Not too long after Dillon, Neiderreiter scored a third and final time to secure a hat trick. This third goal sealed the Jets 5-3 win over the Arizona Coyotes.
The Jets Need To Re-Sign Nino Neiderreiter
I think it goes without saying that Nino Neiderreiter has been one of Kevin Cheveldayoff’s most underrated acquisitions in a long while. The narrative of players not wanting to play in Winnipeg has been a thing since we have so much free-agent turnover. However, Cheveldayoff has always found a way to find guys who want to play in a smaller Canadian market.
Nino Neiderreiter has found himself paired with Adam Lowry and Mason Appleton. This line has been an incredibly hard-working third line and showed the Jets have been lacking a hard-working third line for a handful of years.
Since Neiderreiter’s acquisition, he’s posted 11 goals and assists for 22 points in his 33 games total as a Winnipeg Jet. He posted six goals and seven assists for 13 points in 22 games during the 2022-23 season. However, Neiderreiter shows he can consistently produce with the Winnipeg Jets. In his 11 games, he’s got five goals and four assists for nine points. This has been an incredible acquisition that will earn a hefty pay raise if the production continues.
Winnipeg Jets reporter Scott Billeck reported late Saturday night that Nino Neiderreiter’s agent is expected to come to Winnipeg soon. Neiderreiter has also publicly stated that he wants an extension. This is a good sign that players want to sign contract extensions with the team.
It’s Time For The Winnipeg Jets To Shore Up Their Defense
I wish the Winnipeg Jets had this problem after the 2017-18 season. After our defense completely fell apart due to free agency and lack of cap space, it was a hard time to be a Winnipeg Jets fan. The Jets had a miracle run in 2018 that still seems like a dream. This was a playoff run that hasn’t been replicated since and might not be replicated until we figure out a couple of issues.
Admittedly, why would an NHL general manager with over a decade of experience with the team he is currently with make moves that may or may not hurt the team’s chemistry? However, it’s time for one or two defensemen to get the boot for defensemen like Declan Chisholm and Ville Heinola to get their opportunities. Chisholm has sat in the pressbox for 11 games, and Heinola went down with an unfortunate injury in the final preseason game. Logan Stanley got the call for one game after Nate Schmidt was a healthy scratch after some less-than-stellar play.
This is the issue: carrying enough defensemen to have four defensive lines but only being able to play six. If Nate Schmidt were making $2.5 million less, he wouldn’t be playing nearly as many games as he has been. Dylan Samberg, while he’s made some abysmal plays himself this season, Samberg impressed Arniel and Bowness enough that he continues to draw in. The saying that mistakes will work their way out of a player’s game will ring true for Dylan Samberg. In Samberg’s case, one lousy clearing attempt that led to a goal was made up by Samberg anchoring the Jets’ second power-play unit for the entire power play. The biggest mistake that is being made is not giving the younger prospects more opportunities to succeed, even if they only play 12-15 games and rotate with another player. Arniel and Bowness might find a gem in a specific role by looking at Chisholm and Heinola when available.
Speaking of our defense, and I don’t know about you, but as Winnipeg Jets fans, we’ve been blessed with some spectacular goaltending over the last number of years. We’ve also had some great defensemen in front of our goalies. However, we’re now facing a situation where our goalie can’t continuously bail out our defensemen night after night for their mistakes.
Kevin Cheveldayoff should be moving what he can to improve this team now and solidify their long-term future. This is especially important after Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele both signed identical seven-year extensions. Improving the teams’ defensive play should have been a priority last year; it’s a must-do now, not something that should be checked off sometime down the road.
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