Flying With The Jets

[rmt1982]

So.
Been a while since I've played a lot of FHM. This will be a sort of thread of stuff as I get started.

2020/21 Season
Paul Maurice was replaced after 25 games, Sergei Gonchar comes in on a 2 year deal.

Mark Scheifele misses 10 weeks due to a broken shoulder blade, after scoring 25 pts (7-18) in 22 games to start the season, team offensive performance drops off during this absence.
Andrew Copp goes to the Leafs for a 4th round pick (2021)
Vitali Kravtsov is picked up from the Rangers for Anton Johannesson and Logan Neaton.
Matthew Perrault is traded to the Devils for defensive prospect Kevin Bahl.
Lots of the initial deals, especially Copp and Perrault were looking at strengthening in the long run, by making cap space for the end of season free agency.
Neal Pionk, who has been having an excellent season in the D line, avoids UFA at the season end, and signs a new 3 year contract to 2024, for $5m a season.

The season ended for the Jets, with us being 21-28-7 for 49 points, seeing us bottom of the North Conference, and 2nd worst in the NHL with New Jersey going 18-32-6 for 42. However, they had a -63 goal difference (133-196) compared to our -22 (135-157), which indicated that our issues were at the other end of the rink, as our goals conceded was 7th lowest in the league.
Losing Scheifele for the bulk of the season hurt us, as his output (he scored only 1 point in 4 games post return), would have seen us put approximately 15-20 more goals on the board, and as such, would have seen us further up the league.

Season Events
Stanley Cup - Tampa Bay Lightning (4-2 over VGK)
Presidents Trophy - Philadelphia Flyers ) 39-15-2 80

Awards 1
Awards 2
Awards 3
Awards 4

Next. The 2021 NHL Draft

[rmt1982]

Before the draft, comes the Expansion Draft, with the Kraken joining the NHL. On top of that, the Free Agency run has begun

The Jets lost one player to the Kraken, with Two Way Forward Adam Lowry getting picked up by the new team. He takes a $3.25m cap hit away from the team. Replacing him, coming from the Predators on a 3 year deal, is Mikael Granlund. The 29 year old Finn comes with a cap hit of just over $2.25m.

In the draft, we'll be looking at both wings, and defencemen, with a priority on points scorers being the biggest issue, although, a quality backup to Connor Hellebuyck is also something to look for.

In the Draft Lottery, we came out 15th, securing the 2nd pick.

Arizona used their first pick to select Kent Johnson of Michigan as First Overall, one of 4 Wolverines players to go in the top 10.
Our first pick went on Owen Power, who was rated highest in the rankings throughout the year, the 18 year old coming through Michigan via Chicago Steel.

Winnipeg Picks - 2020/21
Round 1, Pick 2 - Owen Power - LD - Michigan (NCAA), 37GP, 4-14-18 46PIM.
Round 2, Pick 4 (36th O/A) - Zachary Bolduc - C - Rimouski (QMJHL), 59GP, 17-32-49 58PIM
Round 3, Pick 4 (68 O/A) - Chase Stillman - RW - Sudbury (OHL), 21GP, 9-15-24 8PIM / Esbjerg IK (Den1), 17GP, 7-13-20 28PIM
Round 4, Pick 17 (113 O/A) - James Hardie - LW - Mississauga (OHL), 20GP, 15-15-30 10PIM
Round 5, Pick 4 (132 O/A) - Robert Calisti - LD - Sault Ste. Marie (OHL), 24GP, 10-21-31 8PIM
Round 7, Pick 4 (213 O/A) - Tarun Fizer - Victoria (WHL), 23GP, 5-17-32, 6PIM

All in, somewhat of a solid set of picks, I really like the look of Hardie, who put up good numbers in Mississauga, and Bolduc, who was rated in the top 15, and dropped to my 2nd round pick.

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After the draft, the first arrival to come in, was former Montreal forward, Joel Armia. The former 1st rounder returns to Manitoba, having been part of the Jets setup from 2015-2018, before leaving to Quebec as part of the deal that brought Simon Bourque to the Canada Life Centre. A 3 year deal for $3.6m a year enough to see him in.

The first of the draftees to sign, joined on the same day. 18 year old 2nd rounder, Zachary Bolduc signed terms on a 3 year entry level deal.

As backup to Connor Hellebuyck, Antti Raanta signs on a 3 year deal, after leaving Arizona.

Chase Stillman also comes in, signing entry level terms, although, he will probably spend the season back in Sudbury.

The last of the 2021 draftees to sign, was Owen Power. The big D-man (6'5", 219lbs) putting his name to an entry level deal, and committing to the team for the 2021/22 season.

There were a couple more potential signings and deals in the offing, mainly looking to strengthen the two way game.

[rmt1982]

First postseason trade for the Jets, sees a defensive leader coming in, someone who will put up close to 20 minutes a night.



Vesalainen hadn't really impressed in the last couple of seasons, playing a minor role in the team, clocking 9 points (2-7) all season. Maatta, being a more dependable defensive player, is in the last season of his current deal, and at 26 years of age, is entering a very important season.

The next trade to be completed saw the problematic area of point production targeted.



Olofsson, whilst not a prolific scorer, has contributed over 30 points in his last 2 seasons, seeing time on the top lines in Buffalo. Like Maatta, he is entering the last year of his contract, and, his performance this season will more than likely dictate how his career pans out.

In Gawanke, the Sabres receive a defenseman, who hadn't quite lived up to his potential in Winnipeg, spending two seasons playing for the Moose in the AHL. Hopefully, he can take the next step in Upstate New York.



Apart from some tweaking of contracts, this should complete the business for the season, as we look to push towards securing a mid league finish this season.

[rmt1982]

More wheeling and dealing took place, with Antti Raanta heading to Ottawa for picks, and young Swedish netminder, Arvid Holm getting the #2 spot.
The next month saw the Islanders send defensive prospect Ben Mirageas our way, with Dylan DeMelo going the opposite way.
November saw a couple of big trades, with Vitali Kravtsov going to St Louis, as part of a deal to get David Perron. The same day, Neal Pionk went to the Capitals for picks.
Another deal of interest saw David Gustafsson go to Arizona, with Kyle Capobianco coming north.
Arizona was also the destination for Brian Little, who, on his return from injury was convinced to drop his NTC, and went to the desert in exchange for picks.
A matter of days after that, Arvid Holm departed to New Jersey, along with 3 picks (all from other teams), with McKenzie Blackwood heading the other way.

In other news, young prospect Chase Stillman tore his ACL, and will be out for 7 months.

What was an ordinary season with Hellebuyck starting, and Holm backing up, became somewhat charged after the Blackwood deal. The likes of Capobianco and Maatta in the D line seemed energised by the deal, and along with the first line of Connor - Scheifele - Ehlers started contributing points pretty regularly. So much so, that Ehlers and Hellebuyck picked up player of the month awards in February.

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At the end of the season, Vegas just beat out Philadelphia for the Presidents Trophy, their 52-21-4 record, being slightly better than the 57-23-2 of the Flyers.

We ended 48-27-7, which was enough to secure 5th place in the NHL

Table

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In terms of awards, Connor Hellebuyck got a nomination for the Vezina, alongside Carter Hart and Jacob Markstrom.
Sergei Gonchar was nominated for the Jack Adams alongside David Quinn at New York Rangers, and Peter De Boer of Vegas. It had been a massive improvement this season from Sergei, something which we'd look to improve on in the coming seasons.

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The Art Ross Trophy went the way of Sidney Crosby (82GP 38-73-111), with the Rocket Richard going to James Van Riemsdyk (82GP 66-41-107). From a Jets viewpoint, Kyle Connor was points leader (82 38-52-90), with Mark Scheifele (82 26-57-83) and Nikolaj Ehlers (82 36-39-75) having great seasons from a personal viewpoint.
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2021/22 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Round 1 - San Jose - (Won 4-1)
Round 2 - Colorado - (Lost 3-4)
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[rmt1982]

Colorado went all the way to the final, before falling to Boston in 7.

Awards.
Awards

One free agency move was made, Nino Niederetter turned down a 3 year deal, to move to Toronto, so, Carter Verhaeghe, on the back of a 50 point year in Florida, was picked up on a 3 year deal. He'll probably slot in the 2nd line alongside Granlund and P-L Dubois

Draft
We go into the 2022 NHL Draft with 16 picks, 2 in the 2nd, 3 in the 3rd, 5 in the 4th and 2 in the 6th. Giving us a bit of play if we need to move up or around in the draft. Detroit won the draft lottery, placing them in prime position to pick up Shane Wright, giving them something that they've needed for a while.
However, they went against the grain, and for the 2nd year on the trot, Michigan Wolverines saw one of their players go as first pick, with Seamus Casey going to Little Caesers. Wright went 3rd pick to Toronto.

Winnipeg Jets 2022 Picks
R1, P27 - Simon Nemec - HK Nitra (Slovakia) - RD - 50GP 8-17-25 18PIM
R2, P25 (57) - Nicholas Moldenhauer - Ottawa 67's (OHL) - C - 68GP 30-33-63 52PIM
R2, P27 (59) - Denton Meteychuck - Moose Jaw (WHL) - LD - 67GP 23-41-64 30PIM
R3, P16 (80) - Sergei Ivanov - SKA-Varyagi Kondopoga (MHL) - G - 5GP 3W 2.06GAA .930SV%
R3, P18 (82) - Topi Ronni - Tappara Tampere (SMU20) - C - 40GP 18-25-43 67PIM
R3, P25 (89) - Scott Morrow - Utica Comets (NCDC) - RD - 37GP 8-26-34 58PIM
R3, P27 (91) - Antonin Verreault - Gatineau (QMJHL) - LW - 56GP 22-19-41 30PIM
R4, P3 (99) - Thomas Sirman - Ottawa 67's (OHL) - LD - 59GP 8-25-33 40PIM
R4, P6 (102) - Juraj Slafkovsky - TPS A Turku (SMU20) - RW - 34GP 17-20-37 59PIM
R4, P17 (113) - Filip Bystedt - Linkoping HC (NJ20) - LW - 32GP 11-23-34 30PIM
R4, P21 (117) - Ryder McIntyre - Sarnia Sting (OHL) - RW - 52GP 10-18-28 38PIM
R4, P23 (119) - Danny Zhilkin - Guelph Storm (OHL) - C - 68GP 16-19-35 44PIM
R5, P27 (155) - Lane Hinkley - Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL) - LD - 62GP 8-27-35 33PIM
R6, P3 (163) - George Fegaras - Kitchener Rangers (OHL) - RD - 67GP 6-13-19 52PIM
R6, P27 (187) - Adrian Klein - Straubing (DEL2) - LD - 51GP 6-16-22 42PIM
R7, P27 (219) - Raul Yakupov - Reaktor Nizhnekamsk (MHL) - RW - 44GP 12-21-33 46PIM
Nemec had made the move already to play top level hockey in Sweden, at Linkoping, the same club where Filip Bystedt was in the junior setup. The Finnish based Slovak, Juraj Slafkovsky looked an interesting prospect, defensively he wasn't the strongest, but, he is highly rated physically, and with another year of work, he would be a very interesting player to have.

[rmt1982]

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.

[rmt1982]

Season end saw us finish 3rd in the league behind Presidents Trophy winners Vancouver, for whom Brook Boeser scored 104 pts, and Quinn Hughes 103.
Our 112pts (52-22-8) was the best season since we went 52-20-10 in 2017/18.

Connor Hellebuyck led the league in wins with 44, and received another nomination for the Vezina.
The Ehlers - Connor - Scheifele line contributed 220 points in total, with Ehlers hitting 84 (31-53). 6 players contributed 20 or more goals, with Connor leading the way with 35.

Winnipeg Stanley Cup Playoffs 2022/23
R1 - Edmonton (W4-1)
R2 - Colorado (W4-2)
WCF - Vancouver (W4-1)
SCF - Montreal (L3-4)

A better run in the playoffs than I was expecting, and our offensive side more than held up their side of the bargain. The problem being, that our defensive side was lacking, something which needs building on in the offseason and start of next season.

[rmt1982]

The end of season awards saw Connor Hellebuyck win the Vezina, as well as being named to the All Star team. His 70GP, 44Wins, with .921% and 2.62GA, along with 6 Shutouts saw him named the best netminder in the NHL. His contract expires at the end of next season, and at 30 years old, he isn't showing signs of a decline yet.

Free agency saw us go shopping for a few players to improve the D Line, as well as a couple of prospects who may have fallen by the wayside from other teams in the NHL.

First in, having been released by the Wild, was Matt Dumba. The right shot D will fit in well on the first pair with Ty Smith (unless another D becomes available), and also will allow us to move Olli Maatta on, as his near $4m a year to play on the 3rd pairing is a bit high.

Maatta was moved on to Arizona along with a couple of draft picks, with Jakob Chychrun heading the other way.

As a result of Chychrun coming in, Marcus Pettersson became surplus to my requirements, a trade was sorted with Pittsburgh, who gave up Nathan Bolduc in return.

In terms of contracts, Hellebuyck signed a $49m 5 year deal, taking him to 35 years of age, Mark Scheifele signed a $38m 6 year deal, and Owen Power a 3 year $8.5m deal after his initial entry level one.

Also coming in, was Detroits 2018 3rd round pick, Jesper Eliasson, the 23 year old had been a regular in the SHL for HV71, securing the Playoff MVP, FIrst Star Goalie, SHL Best Goalie, all as his team won the Swedish Championship and the Champions Hockey League. He moves to North America for the first time in his career on the back of this, to play as backup to Hellebuyck.

The moves, especially with the new defensive additions, saw the prospective ranking of the team, especially defensively, improve from what it was before.

[alko]

Could you please make pictures with lower resolution? Now they are too big to watch.

[rmt1982]

Originally Posted by alko

Could you please make pictures with lower resolution? Now they are too big to watch.

Yeah, my apologies. Normally the script I run automatically resizes them.

[rmt1982]

2023/24 Season
Presidents Trophy Winners - Columbus Blue Jackets - 56-20-6

We went 48-27-7, which saw us finish 3rd in the Western Conference behind Colorado and Vegas.

Kyle Connor won the Art Ross Trophy, his 40G 59A for 99, enough to see off Auston Matthews and Artem Panarin in a very close second.

No other Jets players came close to awards, except for Matt Dumba, who secured a nomination for the Norris with his 24-36-60, a +/- of +47 and averaging over 23 minutes a night.

Stanley Cup Playoffs
Round 1 - Chicago Blackhawks (2-4L)

Stanley Cup Champions - Vegas Golden Knights


At the end of the season, Blake Wheeler announced his retirement from hockey. The 37 year old having worn the C since the 2016 season. Its envisioned that Mark Scheifele will move up to take that honour.
He leads the club in points (798) and assists (529) as well as games (967). On the plus side, his $6m contract leaves plenty of space for replacements.

[rmt1982]

2023/24 Entry Draft
We draft at 4 due to getting a first round pick as part of the Maatta deal from Arizona, as well as 23 with our pick.
First overall was Braden Dube of Seattle, who goes to San Jose.

Rd 1, Pick 4 - Cole Eiserman 2 - Maine Nordiques (NAHL) - LW/C - 47GP 25-35-60 82PIM
Rd 1, Pick 23 - Radek Sitar - RD HC Sparta Praha U20 (Czech JLA) - RD - 36GP 3-19-22 60PIM
Rd 2, Pick 34 - Marek Lastovka - AZ Heimstaden Havirov (Czech Chanceliga) - C - 47GP 6-15-21 22PIM
Rd 2, Pick 55 - Martin Larsson - Skelleftea AIK J20 (Swedish J20) - C - 29GP 6-11-17 40PIM
Rd 3, Pick 70 - Jake Gudelj - Spokane Chiefs (WHL) - RW - 67GP 15-21-36 63PIM
Rd 3, Pick 87 - Ján Simko - HK Nitra U20 (Slovak U20) - LD - 37GP 5-27-32 63PIM
Rd 4, Pick 100 - Paul Saloniemi - Trangsunds IF (Swedish HockeyTvaan) - G - 3GP 3W 1.26GAA .956SV%
Rd 4, Pick 123 David Flesar - HC Slovan Ústí nad Labem U20(Czech Extraliga Junior) - RW - 34GP 9-10-19 60PIM
Rd 5, Pick 132 Michael Brandsegg-Nygard - Valerenga IF (Norwegian Fjordkraft Ligaen) - LW/RW - 11GP 1-5-6 13PIM
Rd 5, Pick 151 Michal Vodicka - HC Stadion Litomerice (Czech Chanceliga) - RW - 35GP 0-0-0 8PIM
Rd 6, Pick 183 Linus Karlsson - Frolunda HC J18 (Swedish U18) - RD - 16GP 2-13-15 14PIM
Rd 6, Pick 192 Edvin Nilsson - HV71 (Swedish Hockey League) - LD/RD - 41GP 1-5-6 14PIM
Rd 7, Pick 215 Oscar Moberg - AIK J18 (Swedish U18) - LW - 17GP 7-12-19 26PIM

I've big hopes for Eiserman, who becomes our 3rd ranked prospect, and heads off to the NCAA Div I, at Robert Morris for the next two seasons.

Simko and Sitar also come really highly rated, and will be picked up on contracts, and sent back to Junior hockey to develop.

Of previously drafted prospects, Nicholas Moldenhauer (2022, 57th), is coming off a 90 point season in the OHL at Ottawa, having developed at a point per game over the last 4 seasons. He'll come into the Jets hierarchy and get some game time either in the AHL or as a 3rd/4th centre.

Simon Nemec (2022, 27th), played first line minutes at Dynamo Moscow in the KHL, and his contract is up at the end of next season, so, hopefully, he can be convinced to move over the the NHL and continue his excellent development.

Reid Andresen (2023, 31st) had an All Star season in the WHL, winning the league MVP, Best Defenceman and was a First Team All Star, despite his Medicine Hat team falling at the first hurdle in the playoffs. He will move up to the NHL for the preseason, before either returning to Medicine Hat, or spending the season in Manitoba.

[rmt1982]

2023 Free Agency
Mikael Granlund (RW) and Jared Moe (G) head off to free agency, with the 24 year old Moe failing to develop as expected after being picked up out of the NCAA 2 seasons ago. Granlund departs after averaging 14 minutes a night on the 3rd line over the last 3 seasons, never quite reaching the expectations that were had of him when he arrived in Minnesota at the beginning of his career. His $2m contract frees up space to sign a couple of entry level prospects who can match his production.

The first free agent arrival, having had 4 seasons at Vermont in the NCAA Div 1, is Dovar Tinling.
The 21 year old Canadian forward was a 2nd round (55th Overall) pick for Florida in 2021, and played over 120 games for the Catamounts. His scouting reports don't rate his physicality, but, he is a hard worker, and is the sort of player that will create opportunities for other players through this work.

Nicholas Moldenhauer makes the step up previously mentioned, signing a 3 year E/L contract.

Another signing, this time from Jokerit Helsinki of the KHL, was Patrik Puistola. The Finnish winger putting his name on a 2 year deal, having left the club where he won the 2022/23 season Playoff MVP award at the beginning of July.

Another player making the step across from the NCAA, was netminder Drew Commesso. The 2020 2nd round (46, Chicago) moving to the NHL from his hometown Boston University Terriers. The former USNTDP member, putting up a respectable 2.51GAA and a .918SV% in Division 1 Hockey.

Undrafted Swede, Victor Stjernborg joins on a 3 year contract, heading off to Jacksonville in the ECHL to learn his trade, having spent 3 seasons at Saskatoon in the WHL, where his physicality made him stand out.

Reid Andresen also completes his move to the NHL, where the general consensus is that he will play on the 2nd pairing with Owen Power, whilst Jakob Chychrun and Matt Dumba will be the main pairing.

Brock Faber is the latest name to move from the NCAA, where he spent time playing for the Golden Gophers in Minnesota. The former #45 pick from 2020 had seen his rights forgone by Nashville, who had traded Juuse Saros for them in the 2023 season. Another former USNTDP alumni, he'll play in the AHL for the coming season.

[rmt1982]

Trade Deadline 2025, and a quick update.
The season hadn't been going well, and we were down a playmaker after Nikolaj Ehlers tore his UCL, putting him out for a large portion of the season.
Before that, we'd picked up his Danish compatriot, Oliver Bjorkstrand, as St Louis were looking to drop some salary cap, Dovar Tinling heads to the midwest as collateral, along with a couple of picks. At the deadline, he is 59GP, 13-22-35, which, is the sort of output I want from him.

Connor Hellebuyck suffered from a massive loss of form, which saw him start to miss games, he was replaced in the lineup by Hunter Jones, who had been picked up on waivers at the start of the season from Minnesota. The 2019 draft pick showing why he was highly rated.

As a result of the performances of Hellebuyck, as well as having Jones and Jesper Eliasson in the system, there was an opportunity to look to move the veteran goalie on, especially as approaching the deadline, we were only a couple of games over .500.

Vegas were in need of netminding strength, as Robin Lehner had struggled, and gave up a 3rd round pick, along with veteran all star defenceman Alex Pietrangelo, who had 3 years left on his contract ($12.5 this season, but $10m AAV, and $8.8m hit), for Hellebuyck and 20 year old Slovak winger, Juraj Slafkovsky. This also freed up $1m of cap space for future projects over the next couple of seasons.

[rmt1982]

2024/25 Season - End
Mark Scheifele picked up another injury, this time a lacerated forearm tendon, which would keep him out for the duration of the playoffs. His injury hit season saw him only play 67 games (he has missed nearly 100 games over the past 2 seasons), scoring 51pts (14-37), with Ehlers missing 61 games of the season, and the start of the playoffs, a lot of offensive output was missing throughout the season. However, Pietrangelo arriving saw our offensive production leap, and we only lost 5 games from the trade deadline, finishing 47-31-4 for 98points, 4th in the Central, 4th in the West, and 8th in the NHL.
The Presidents Trophy went to New York, with the Capitals finishing bottom of the pile.
Top scorer in the NHL, was Nathan McKinnon, who put up 117pts (44-73) in his 82 games, 14 points clear of Nikita Kucherov in 2nd.
Kyle Connor once again top scored for the Jets, putting up 31-45-76, with Victor Olofsson putting up 24-42-66.
Pierre-Luc Dubois once again put up a 50 point season, contributing 23-30, for 53 points, before first pair defencement Matt Dumba and Ty Smith put up just shy of 50 each.
The contributions from the lower end team members were essential, as, despite not having an out and out scorer this season, we were the 6th ranked team offensively in the league, putting up an average of 40 shots a game.
Hunter Jones produced 21 wins from 40 games in goal, with Jesper Elasson contributing 9 from 14 in his time after call up.

[rmt1982]

2024/25 Stanley Cup
Rd 1 - LA Kings (4-1)
Rd 2 - Vegas Golden Knights (4-1)
Rd 3 (W.C.Final) - Nashville (4-1)
Stanley Cup Final - Columbus (2-4)

The Conn Smythe went to Columbus D, Seth Jones, who was an integral part of the team winning the Cup. Nathan McKinnon, who picked up the Art Ross, Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award is heading to free agency, and will be the subject of attention from a large number of teams.

Other free agents coming up, Mitch Marner (TOR), Leon Draisaitl (EDM), Cale Makar (COL), as well as some highly rated youngsters looking for larger deals.

I'm probably looking to move a D or two on, as we try to get Nemec to the show from Russia, and this will mean that either Smith or Dumba becomes the makeweights.

From the prospects, Nemec has had a solid season in Russia, 56GP 9-26-35 46PIM, playing on the 2nd pair at Dynamo Moscow. Cole Eiserman put up 29GP 20-24-44 45PIM at Robert Morris in NCAA Div 1, another big improver was 21 y/o Filip Bystedt, playing as an Over Age at Baie Comeau, he was 56GP, 48-66-114 with 43 PIM, his 2nd consecutive 100pt season. The 6'5 winger collected the Memorial Cup and QMJHL championship, and he finally seems to be living up to his potential.

Another departure of note was Nikolaj Ehlers. He left at as a free agent, signing a deal with Chicago (6 yr, $47m). His space on the roster getting filled with Andrei Svechnikov, who left Carolina on a 2yr ($7.3m) deal.

[rmt1982]

Whilst we continue through the free agent period, and look to get business done early. Coming in, is Travis Konecny, the 28 year old winger has averaged just under a point a game in Philadelphia over the last 5 seasons, leading the side as captain in the last 3. His leadership experience will add to the team.

Simon Nemec also signs his ELC, making the move over from the KHL to the NHL, and taking a starting spot in the D line, which, allowed for Ty Smith to be traded to New York Rangers for a 7th and 22 year old Slovak centre Oleksii Myklukha, who will go to the Moose.
Another arrival was Filip Bystedt, the 21 year old Swedish winger signing an ELC after finishing his time in the QMJHL, and will slot in as a bottom 6 player this season.

[rmt1982]

2024/25 NHL Entry Draft

First overall pick went to Calgary, and they picked C Jordan Gavin of Regina, who had put up 94pts in the WHL last season.

Winnipeg Picks
Rd1, Pick 31 - Juha Halla - Karpat A Oulu (SMU20) - C - 39GP 10-18-28 38PIM
Rd 3, Pick 83 - Tracy Kellie - Dartmouth Big Green (NCAA Div I) - RW - 35GP 9-10-19 76PIM
Rd 3, Pick 95 - Olyksandr Dubynskyi - HK Ryazan (VHL) - LD - 19GP 0-2-2 8PIM
Rd 4, Pick 101 - Chris Hartley - Victoria Royals (WHL) - RW - 61GP 10-4-14 30PIM
Rd 4, Pick 127 - Tyson ten Vaanholt - Sudbury Wolves (OHL) - G - 46GP 12W 4.45GAA, .871%
Rd 5, Pick 145 - Sefa Serdaroglu - Turkish U18 League - LW - 25GP 18-35-53 26PIM
Rd 5, Pick 159 - Jean-Phillipe Mongrain - Baie-Comeau (QMJHL) - RD - 63GP 18-27-45 46PIM
Rd 6, Pick 168 - Samuli Poikonen - Kiekko-Espoo (MESTIS) - RW - 18GP 0-1-1 2PIM
Rd 6, Pick 191 - Andreas Hult - AIK J18 (Swedish J18) - LW - 19GP 14-12-26 18PIM
Rd 7, Pick 201 - Gunther Spiess - EHC Freiburg Wolfe (DEL2) - LD - 18GP 5-5-10 0PIM
Rd 7, Pick 208 - Markus Karlsson - Kiruna City HF (HockeyTvaan) - RD - 28GP 2-8-10 58PIM
Rd 7, Pick 216 - Brett Tinker - Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL) - C - 64GP 14-32-46 43PIM
Rd 7, Pick 220 - Mark Pimblott - Everett Silvertips (WHL) - C - 65GP 21-41-62 139PIM
Rd 7, Pick 225 - Oakley McIlwain - Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) - RD - 62GP 1-13-14 28PIM

[crusadertsar]

Great thread!
I am curious what tactics you are using?

My longest save in any FHM is the current Jets save in FHM7. We are currently in 2026 season and so far only managed to win one Stanley Cup (in 2024/25 season). I guess it is not a bad record to get one championship in 6 seasons of play, but I still feel like we should be doing better. Just not sure how to optimize our tactics. Besides getting some better players. So was just curious what tactical instructions you were using to get the best out of our core like Scheiffle, Connors and Eihlers