On Wednesday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs will travel to Winnipeg to battle the Jets.
Most Toronto Maple Leafs and Jets fans will be zeroed in on Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine. Matthews and Laine went first and second overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Both had impressive rookie seasons with Laine being nominated, and Matthews winning, the Calder Trophy. Laine scored 36 goals and had 28 assists in 73 games, while Matthews totaled 40 goals and 29 assists. Both, Matthews and Laine look like potential hall of famers.
The Amazing Fin a.k.a. Patrik Laine
The Leafs should seriously focus on Laine with their game plans. Laine was a nightmare against the Leafs last season. In the their two games against the Jets, Laine tallied five goals. As one of the NHL’s weakest defensive teams last year, and with little done to improve that situation externally this past summer, the Leafs will be heavily relying on Frederik Andersen to stop Laine.
I’m also excited to see the Jets’ defensive units. Kevin Cheveldayoff, the General Manager of the Jets signed Dmitry Kulikov to a much maligned three year contract worth 12.99 million CAD in the off-season. Cheveldayoff is hoping that Kulikov can live up to his (mostly undeserved) reputation as a decent shutdown defenseman. Kulikov had a rough season with the Buffalo Sabres last year and the Jets are banking on that old favorite – a change of scenery – to get him going. Kulikov will also have a lot less pressure on him than he did in Buffalo, since the Jets have at least four or five defenseman who are better. With Dustin Byguglien, Josh Morrissey, Trouba, Toby Enstrom and Tyler Myers on the blue line as well, Kulikov won’t be on ice for as many high pressure situations as he was with the Sabres. That should help.
Scouting Trouba
It will also be a great opportunity to take a look at Jacob Trouba, who rumours always say is available. James Tanner wrote a post a few weeks back on Trouba. Though he may want to over-pay a bit, his point that Trouba would instantly turn the Toronto Maple Leafs into one of the best teams in the NHL is not unwarranted.
Last season, Trouba was the subject of trade talks and Trouba could be on the move at some point this season, should the Jets fall out of contention. Lou Lamoriello should bring his binoculars with him to Manitoba, as he really should look at Trouba.
The Jets should also consider moving Trouba at the deadline. Not only will Trouba be an RFA at the end of the season, but the Jets also have seven other RFAs that they will have to worry about locking up to new contracts as well.
Additionally if the Jets are looking to make a strong playoff push, they will need some offensive depth. Cheveldayoff could look to make a swap with the Leafs and grab a solid offensive veteran like James Van Riemsdyk or Tyler Boazk, though it would take a lot more than just one of them.
Claude Lemieux Junior
Claude Lemieux junior? Who’s that?
Sorry, I mean Brendan Lemieux.
Brendan had strong seasons with the Barrie Colts and Windsor Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey League. But, during last season with the Jets’ minor league affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, he appeared to lose part of his offensive skill-set.
He truly became an agitator last season with the Moose and sat in the penalty box for 130 minutes. Claude must be very proud. Brendan shares his agitator genes.
I’m very excited to see Brendan play in the National Hockey League. I’m always interested to see how kids of a former NHLer play in the spotlight. Also not going to lie, it is also makes me feel old. I remember when Claude Lemieux fought against Darren McCarty in the Detroit Red Wings-Colorado Avalanche brawl in the 1996-1997 season.
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Now, Brendan most likely won’t have the offensive firepower that his father, Claude had. But, he should be a solid third-line grinder and penalty kill specialist for the Jets.
If Paul Maurice decides to keep Lemieux in Winnipeg, I will be very interested to see how he does on Wednesday night against the Leafs.
Predictions For Opening Night
The Leafs certainly have their hands full with Patrik Laine, Mark Scheifele, Dustin Byfuglien and newly acquired net-minder, Steve Mason. But, the Jets lack offensive depth. After Scheifele, Laine, Bryan Little and Mathieu Perreault, they truly have no offensive power.
Look for the Toronto Maple Leafs defense to be a bit shaky with Laine and Scheifele, but the Leafs should prevail.
My prediction is that the Toronto Maple Leafs win against the Jets in a close-game with the score of 4 to 3 Leafs.