YOUR FRIENDS' ACTIVITY

    Discover Yahoo! With Your Friends

    Explore news, videos, and much more based on what your friends are reading and watching. Publish your own activity and retain full control.

    To get started, first
    Puck Daddy

    Sick of seeing Jets struggle offensively, Winnipeg captain asks for trade help

    GettyThe Winnipeg Jets had a good chance to defeat the New York Islanders last night. Not because they're an inferior opponent — the Islanders have crept to within six points of the playoffs with their 3-1 win at Winnipeg, by the way — but because the game was tied entering the third period.

    Had the Islanders been leading the game as the final frame started, fuggedaboutit. The Jets are the only team in the NHL that hasn't come back to win a game when trailing after two periods this season, going an astonishing 0-20-3 when down by a goal or more entering the third.

    They're not all that much better trailing after the first period: 2-14-1, with a .118 winning percentage that ranks them third-worst in the League, with Calgary and ahead of Dallas and Phoenix, who is 0-13-0 when trailing after one; 1-17-2 when trailing after two. Ouch.

    Coach Claude Noel Captain Andrew Ladd has seen enough, and all but demanded that management add offensive talent to the roster before the trade deadline.

    From the Winnipeg Sun, Ladd said:

    "With the troubles we've had scoring, if it's not going to come from within this room, we probably could use some help, there," he said. "We've got a great goaltender, we've got D that can move the puck and play both ways."

    As far as Coach Claude Noel goes:

    "Am I discouraged?" Noel repeated a question. "How do I look? I'm not real happy. It was a big game against an opponent we should have been able to beat."

    It's not the first time the Jets threw in the towel far too easily, and too early. It's not even a conscious thing. But deep down, they seem to know they can't come from behind.

    And that's because they can't, at least based on the stats this season. Winnipeg doesn't have 20-goal scorer. They have just six players in double-digits for goals. Their goals-for average this season (2.33) ranks them 25th in the NHL.

    The Jets are four points out of a playoff spot. They are, and should be, buyers. Noel's right: The Jets have gotten plenty from Ondrej Pavelec, who has a 2.78 GAA and a .910 save percentage in 47 starts. It's time to give him some support.

    (Ed. Note: Major quote screw up earlier, as I had something from Andrew Ladd attributed to Claude Noel. Apologies.)

     

    19 comments

    • sotsohockey  •  Minneapolis, Minnesota  •  3 months ago
      The guy behind Noel is awesome!
    • KR  •  Atlanta, Georgia  •  3 months ago
      Welcome to my world Jets fans...your team sucks just like it did when it was in Atlanta!!! Moving it north sure did alot of good! NOT!!! When do you seriously think you will get into the playoffs...2,3,5 years? Good luck.
    • Ben  •  St-Jérôme, Canada  •  3 months ago
      The chances of Winnipeg being on Nash's shortlist of teams he'd like to be traded to is so incredibly slim. Agreed with Kyle on all points.
    • Dr Philosophy  •  Calgary, Canada  •  3 months ago
      Selanne for another ceremony and a date with the prettiest girl in town
    • stevieonmt  •  3 months ago
      Wouldn't it be interesting if they were able to get Rick Nash?
      • matthew t 3 months ago
        Yes, I'm sure one of the 5 teams Nash has stated he'd waive his NTC for is freakin' Winnipeg.
      • GUY 3 months ago
        I would think Nash would be tired of playing with marginal fwd's in Columbus.So why would he come here
      • stevieonmt 3 months ago
        It's just a theory but I'm pretty sure he'd go to a big market. (Detroit/LA) maybe?
    • austin a  •  Southfield, Michigan  •  3 months ago
      Nash to WPG, lolz.
    • Eric  •  3 months ago
      Sure you need to score but just where do you find offensive talent? That's the rub eh? Can they get a legit 20 - 25 or better goal scorer via trade? Maybe but what do they have to offer? additionally can they lure a top six scoring forward via free agency? That won't come until summer but does being in Canada in Manitoba hurt their chances?
    • alex k  •  Toronto, Canada  •  3 months ago
      uh oh watch out LADD if winnipeg is anything like montreal, they are going to trade you for speaking out against the team nd tryin to light a fire under them uh ohh watch out. oh wait there is no french people in winnipeg ok your fine LADD
      • Prairiedaun 3 months ago
        No French people in Winnipeg? Seriously?
    • Chris  •  Islandia, New York  •  3 months ago
      That last bit should read: " Ladd's right: The Jets have gotten plenty from Ondrej Pavelec, who has a 2.78 GAA and a .910 save percentage in 47 starts. It's time to give him some support."
    • Daniel  •  Winnipeg, Canada  •  3 months ago
      The Jets should be building from within, not overpaying at the deadline. Furthermore, Ladd should know this since the team consulted with him before he re-signed. It's a process. Everyone needs to be patient.
    • Wequegc  •  Petoskey, Michigan  •  3 months ago
      Winnipeg has three of the BEST third line centers in the NHL... too bad they have to play on lines 1 and 2.....Bryan Little is no where near a first line center in the NHL, and Nik Antro is well.... Nik Antro who knows when he will show up (and keep in mind Antro was brought to ATL by the TeflonDon to keep Kovy happy, they both should have exited out the door at the same time), Burmie is a little too raw and small although he is getting much better.
      Long Live Jim Slater. It is a shame he is so good defensively otherwise he could play between Ladd and Wheeler. Might as well pay your golf dues now...season starts Sunday April 8th!
    • Kyle  •  Winnipeg, Canada  •  3 months ago
      They definitely need scoring. No question. Wheeler is a good 1st/2nd line RW and Little is more of a 2nd line C. I think the hope is that Kane develops into a 1st line LW (he should) and that Burmistrov can become the first line RW but that won't happen until MAYBE next year. Ladd is a 3rd line checker (see blackhawks cup run)... asking him to score is silly. He has no hands and is slow. Antropov's gotta go either before the deadline or cut him loose after this year. Wellwood is a borderline 2nd liner (more like a 4th to be honest). The only thing that has worked so far is the GST (Glass/Slater/Thorburn) shut down line. Hainsey and Oduya gotta go as well. Too much $$ for 5th/6th defensemen and the team is already stocked on D (Buff/Enstrom/Bogo/Stuart).

      As for going after some scoring?? There's no one out there to acquire so I think it's easier to be a seller this year. Bye bye Antro, Oduya, and hopefully Hainsey. Not to mention we don't have much for prospects either so I think we need to stock the cupboards first.
      • Kyle 3 months ago
        Basically we only have a bunch of guys that are borderline top 6 forwards. There isn't a single no-doubt top 3 forward on the roster.
      • Mullet 3 months ago
        Trade Bogo and a prospect for Patrick Kane
      • chijim222 3 months ago
        Bogo, Kane and Ondrej Pavelec for Pat Kane? Maybe.
    • Oglaigh n h'Eirran  •  3 months ago
      This is a team that once upon a time had Kovulchuk, Heatley and Savard.When Heatley left, they repleced him with Hossa. The problem then was lack of D and goaltending. Now it's 180 degrees the other way.
    • ed  •  Cambridge, Massachusetts  •  3 months ago
      Ironically Ladd's about the only guy they got that anybody wants...
    • Hijacker  •  3 months ago
      At best I expect a similar deal to Pevs/ Wheeler deal from last season. Don't expect any win-now move from ownership. They are True North and not Atlanta Spirit and I #$%$ happy about it.
    • Mullet  •  Powder Springs, Georgia  •  3 months ago
      Keith Tkatchuk?
    • Barry  •  Brantford, Canada  •  3 months ago
      How about the Hawks send Frolik, Stalberg and Leddy for Byfuglien & Ladd??? Any takers?
    • John Z  •  Markham, Canada  •  3 months ago
      id like to see ray whitney goto winnipeg for little and a 2nd rounder. little hasnt lived up to expectations and seems more and more likely to be a great 3rd line center.
    • Geno  •  3 months ago
      I disagree with the Claude Noel. It didn't look like the Jets through in the towel against the Isles last night. Maybe it is the case for other games, perhaps, but from my view, as an Isles fan, the Jets fought all 3rd period to get back in that game.
      • Geno 3 months ago
        *threw

        (Fail on on my part.)

    Yahoo! Sports Authors