Winnipeg Jets: Current Top Prospects in the Pipeline
Winnipeg Jets Top Defensemen and Goalie Prospects
Logan Stanley
Logan Stanley is a large human being. He stands six feet seven inches tall, and weighs in at 227 pounds. The only fair comparison for Stanley would be the other hulking defenseman famous in the NHL – Zdeno Chara.
It’s incredibly fair to both to compare their play styles, and it’s more than just size. Stanley is a physical defenseman with the ability to intimidate opposing forwards and plays a defensive game with the ability to play offensively.
When you’re that big, I guess it becomes a matter of using that size, and there’s one really great way to do so. Logan Stanley has figured out that way, and if he gives the effort that led his Spitfires to win the OHL Cup, the Jets have a truly special player on their hands.
Jacob Cederholm
Jacob Cederholm might be the best defensive defenseman in the Winnipeg Jets system. While the Jets are in need of offense and they have a lot of defensemen who reflect that, Cederholm offers the team variety in prospects.
Cederholm is strong in his abilities to shut down the opposing offense, and every team needs their defensive defenseman. With a messy defense last year and an aging defensive core, the Jets may be in need of a young defenseman that can shot block.
And that’s what Cederholm offers. Like other defensive defensemen before him, Cederholm isn’t naturally gifted offensively. In 47 games between various Swedish hockey leagues, Cederholm had just 8 points and one goal.
And Cederholm will have to make the transition to North America sooner rather than later if he’s going to be successful. He’s committed to the HV71 club of the Swedish Hockey League next year. But if he impresses with his defensive abilities in this year’s camp, he should be in the AHL soon.
Luke Green
Green is a puck moving defenseman who excels offensively and was drafted third round of last year’s draft. He’s a scoring defenseman in the make of a Kevin Shattenkirk – while he’s able to play a defensive game, he works much better as a power play quarterback.
Green posted 37 points, including 5 goals, in 60 games in the QMJHL this season. That’s before he came over to the AHL for four games and posted an assist.
At 19, Green might return to the minors next season or he could stay and develop his game in the AHL. A year after being drafted, Green might already be ready for the next step in his career.
Besides Logan Stanley, Green might be the most NHL ready out of all of the Winnipeg Jets’ defensive prospects. And his offensive instincts should translate well to a team that uses players like Dustin Byfuglien to drive scoring.
Jake Kielly, G
Kielly is one of a few of camp invitees from Clarkson University. He posted a 2.56 GAA and .911 SV% with the team. Kielly looks to be one of the best camp invitees who wasn’t drafted by the Winnipeg Jets.
The Jets’ goaltending situation is complicated – Connor Hellebuyck was drafted in the fifth round of 2012, Eric Comrie in the second of 2013. Comrie looked to be better than Hellebuyck for a short time, but Hellebuyck was promoted to the NHL.
Since then, Comrie has fallen off, while Hellebuyck looks to be the future in net for the Winnipeg Jets. But the Jets would still like to have Comrie turn out.
Yet they’ve invited a few more goaltenders to camp, and again, Kielly looks like the best of them. If Comrie continues to be disappointing and Kielly beats him out in camp, it’s entirely possible the college goaltender is brought into the Jets organization.
Comrie’s contract is up at the end of the season, and Kielly was never drafted. Still, this will be a battle to pay attention to, as Comrie fights for his position and Kielly fights for a roster spot.
Other Great Prospects:
Brendan Lemieux, LW; Eric Comrie, G; Nelson Nogier, D; Leon Gawanke, D; Johnny Kovacevik, D; Dylan Samberg, D.