The 2022/23 season started OK, and in February, coming up to the trade deadline, we sit 37-16-5 for 79pts, which puts us top of the division, 4th in the Conference, and 5th in the NHL.
Trade wise, we've tried to play smart, moving players who are overvalued on, and trying to fill the gaps with 'like for like' replacements for less outlay.
Trades
The departures of Chisholm and Mirageas worked well, as Koivunen, the CHI 6th round pick in 2021, was coming off a 70 point year at Erie in the OHL, and was 3/3.5 star potential rated at 19 years old, so has some development time left. Svejkovsky, at 21 years old, would spend the season in the AHL, trying to get to his 3 star ceiling.
The Haydn Fleury - Josh Morrisey trade was another interesting one. Morrisey was coming off a career year, where he had 27 points in 82 games, however, Fleury would provide a little bit more blueline security, being more defensive minded.
McKenzie Blackwood moved back to New Jersey in a trade for Ty Smith, as we needed a solid 'minute man' with some big potential to play in the future alongside Owen Power, who was steadily developing on our 2nd line. Sending our 3rd round pick may have been overpaying, but, Smith had 1 year left on his deal, and with a 4 star rating, the 23 year old would only improve.
In the 14 games since his move, he has averaged nearly 24 minutes a game, and has 11 points (2-9) alongside Oli Maatta.
Cale Fleury was picked up on waivers, and has filled in as a 6th/7th defenceman, alongside Robert Calisti, the 22 year old who came off an all star season in the OHL in 2021-22.
Free agency also saw us pick up Marcus Pettersson, after he was released by Pittsburgh.
On the offensive side, we needed to improve, and we have done.
Coming in to provide experience and grit on the bottom line, on a 1 year deal was Eric Staal. His veteran leadership means that the younger/more inexperienced players on the team will have a player to look up to in the lineup alongside Blake Wheeler.
Also arriving were Gustav Nyquist, on a 1 year deal after leaving Columbus. Again, providing a bit of grit on the bottom line, and Drake Caggiula, who would mix between the 3rd and 4th lines as well.
In terms of prospects, Chase Stillman returned to Sudbury for another season, looking to recover after his knee injury cut short last season.
Former Vegas draft pick Jordan Kooy joined, looking to get experience after mixing the 21/22 season in the U Sports League in Canada, before heading off to Worcester in the ECHL.
Leading the team after 58 games in points, was Nikolaj Ehlers (22-44-66), with linemates Kyle Connor (26-27-53) and Mark Scheifele (23-29-52) behind.
For the first time in my time with Winnipeg, then 2nd line production was excellent, with Victor Olofsson (15-30-45), Blake Wheeler (15-24-39) and P-L Dubois (11-22-33) contributing well, and 3rd line pairing Carter Verhaeghe (18-12-30) and Cole Perfetti (12-19-31) also hitting the 30 point mark.
In goal, Connor Hellebuyck was 2nd in the league with 32 Wins, having a 2.70GAA and a .920SV%, which also saw him rated in the top netminders.