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 | It seems like every year it happens with nearly every NHL team. The team is 90 per cent pencilled in, and has a projected blue chip prospect set to step forward. But then it happens. A rookie whose time is right, comes out of nowhere, makes a good impression in camp, produces in pre-season games, and low and behold, grabs himself a roster spot. | | Winnipeg - August 28, 2014 -
It seems like every year it happens with nearly every NHL team. The team is 90% penciled in, and has a projected blue chip prospect set to step forward. But then it happens. A rookie whose time is right, comes out of nowhere, makes a good impression in camp, produces in pre-season games, and low and behold, grabs himself a roster spot.
The question is, will it happen with this season’s version of the Winnipeg Jets? Tough to say. Most of the Jet’s prospects are meat and potatoes style, but it’s happened recently (see Jacob Trouba) and there are some up and comers this year that could surprise. Here's a look at my top three.
Adam Lowry: Former standout with the Swift Current Broncos, Lowry had a better than solid rookie season with the Jet’s minor league affiliate in St. John’s, scoring 33 points in 64 games including 17 goals. Lowry already has NHL size to go with a decent skill set. And, with good NHL bloodlines (son of former NHLer Dave Lowry) he likely knows what it takes to make it as a pro.
But is he ready to make the big step, and make an impact? It’s possible, but not likely. Adam took a big step in production between his third and fourth years in the WHL, but the AHL is much harder, and the NHL . . . the best league in the world. I think it’s likely he will get a decent number of games in the NHL, but doubtful he will get enough to make an impact.
Nic Petan: The diminutive offensive dynamo for Portland represents a lot of what the Jets need: elite skill. But in Petan's case, that comes at a price, with reference to his below average stature. Nonetheless, he has the touch and with back to back 100 plus point seasons, there's not a lot he can accomplish at this level.
The bigger question is, can he do it at the NHL level, and can he do it now? On most teams the answer would be an immediate no, however, the Jets are definitely one of the bigger teams in the NHL, so, if you put Petan on a line with big Buff and a size-able D, could that not make enough space for Petan to work his magic? Why not? In the right context there is still room for a smallish player, so long as he has the support of a bigger cast.
Josh Morrisey: There's no question Morrisey is an elite talent. Many top prospects put up their numbers surrounded by a stellar supporting staff. Morrisey has not been so fortunate. Playing on a team where the only other elite talent was Edmonton Oiler's first rounder Leon Draisaitl, Morrisey earned his stats. And to Morrisey's credit, his stats are impressive.
He put up 73 points in only 59 games, quite an achievement. He only saw one game with the Ice Caps when the Raiders were knocked out of the playoffs, but he looks to have all the talent he needs to develop into a top flight offensive NHL defenseman. Unfortunately, he does still have some physical maturing to do. He's presently listed at less than 200 lbs., and that's not quite NHL D size. An exceptional talent nonetheless, who knows?
It's normally at this point where I hail the most recent draft pick, first rounder Nick Ehlers as the second coming and the one to come out of nowhere to grab a roster spot, but I'm not going to do that. Ehlers is a great talent but he needs more time in junior, as do over 97% of all first round picks. So if not Ehlers, who will be the guy this year?
There's no clear cut leader out of the Jets prospects but I'm going to say Petan has the best shot. Why? It's not because he is the best talent (that would be Morrisey) or the most physically mature (see Lowry) but the position he holds presents the most opportunity. Petan is a centre but its common for young centres to start on the wing, and the Jets are crying for elite scoring on the wing. So that's my prediction, Petan will be this year's training camp surprise, and if I'm wrong, oh well, I'm sure that's happened at least once before.
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