Post by H2Beau (Jets GM) on Aug 8, 2011 23:16:37 GMT -5
2012 Draft Recap
A Youth Movement
Rewind to the trade deadline. The Jets, who at the time were just on the outside looking in at the playoffs, decide to make a big move and trade their face of the franchise. Evander Kane, the same franchise player who agreed to a new long term contract, was shockingly dealt to bolster the team's depth. The value though was questioned by people all around the league. One prominent gm even said, "I feel the Jets are running without an engine at this point." Fast forward back to what just transpired tonight. A team that came into last season with the 29th rated prospect pool by Hockey's Future now has a sense of great things going into the coming seasons.
With their first selection, Winnipeg took Claude Snipre. A top five talent, Snipre would fall due to size and defensive concerns. For a team that finished in the bottom 5 in both GS and PP last year, that wasn't a concern. Snipre possesses a shot that already draws comparisons to Ovechkin's and figures to be a top scorer in the league for years to come.
Next up Winnipeg went with another undersized scorer in Alexander Bure. As with Snipre, size and defense are the two glaring weaknesses for Bure. He too though possesses a couple NHL ready attributes that could see him with the big club very shortly.
The "Evander Kane picks" were next on the docket and the Jets immediately went to protect the net. Jacob Trouba is a two-way defenseman that figures to play a prominent role with the club in a couple of years. If this team manages to hold onto Enstrom and Bogosian while waiting on Trouba, they could have the makings of a strong defensive unit.
And finally to solidify the net is the best goalie in the draft, Ayesh Marshall-Baker. This was clearly a value pick as Winnipeg already has Roberto Luongo in net with young Leland Irving resigning with the club to back him up. AMB figures to be brought up slowly just like Trouba and contribute once Luongo is ready to retire.
To help bring even more optimism to the fan base, Winnipeg also plans to call up a few of their prominent AHL players next season. Guys like Angelo Esposito, Akim Aliu, Carl Klingberg, and the aforementioned Irving all figure to be with the NHL team when the season kicks off. Add Snipre and Bure to this core with former first rounders Mark Scheifele and Stefan Noesen waiting in the wings, things look bright for this once suffering franchise.