2015-16 Winnipeg Jets Top 10 Prospects

A look at the Winnipeg Jets top 10 prospects heading into the 2015-16 season.

As an expansion team and during the era in Atlanta, this franchise has been a struggling one and had never been able to become highly competitive despite several high draft picks. Since moving to Winnipeg and naming Kevin Cheveldayoff as GM, the team adopted the Detroit Red Wings approach of building through the draft, and patiently developing players.

It has taken several years of patience, but the payoff is about to be realized. The Jets finally made a return to the playoffs and the organization has the highest ranked prospect pool in the NHL by several sources.

The Jets have made good use of picks and reinforced their prospect ranks with the bounty received in the Evander Kane trade. The Jets are a team on the rise, their patience and philosophy will pay dividends for years to come as this franchise sets its sights on competing for the Stanley Cup.

1. Nikolaj Ehlers: Left Wing – 6’0” / 168 lbs
Drafted: Ninth overall in the first round of the 2014 draft by Winnipeg

After back-to-back 100 plus point seasons in the QMJHL and dominating at the WJC, and World Championship for Denmark, and as much as the Jets may like to keep him in a lower league for further development, the electric Ehlers has really given them no choice. His performance this past summer at rookie and prospect camps was outstanding and his training camp and preseason made it easy for the Jets to name him to the roster for opening night. He has three points in five games to open the season and at this point he should be given consideration as a Calder Trophy candidate along with highly touted Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel and Artemi Panarin. He is not eligible to play in the AHL, and a return to junior seems out of the question. He could be loaned to a team in Europe, but expect Ehlers to play the entire season in the NHL.

Scouting Report:

Nikolaj Ehlers is an absolutely fabulous skater. His speed is off the charts, and he has outstanding acceleration and great agility. He beats even the quickest of defenders one-on-one, and can take them wide and cut to the net. He is very solid on his skates and has a powerful stride that can fight through checks, hooks, and holds. Despite his size he has good balance and is very difficult to knock off the puck and this should only improve as he adds weight.

Ehlers combines that skating skill with great hands and he can score in close when he cuts to the net. His stickhandling ability is high-end and he can make moves and control the puck while at top speed. He is absolutely lethal off the rush, and if defenders back off on him to avoid being beaten by his speed, he can use the space to let go a great wrist shot which features an excellent release. His passing skill is also high level, and he has great vision and hockey sense to take advantage of that. Ehlers is willing to work in the dirty areas, and handles the puck well even in heavy traffic areas. He does need to work on adding muscle to his frame and getting better in making more muscular plays down low, on the cycle and in winning battles on the boards. – Last Word on Sports

2. Josh Morrissey: Defence – 6’0” / 195 lbs
Drafted: 13^th overall in the first round of the 2013 draft by Winnipeg

In his final year of Junior, Morrissey was outstanding. He was a key player for Team Canada winning Gold at the WJC. He was traded to Kelowna and helped the Rockets win a WHL Championship. He had a strong Memorial Cup Tournament, coming up just short after losing the final game in overtime to Oshawa. Looking forward, Morrissey will begin his pro career with Manitoba where he can continue to develop. Morrissey has had a brief run with the Jets AHL affiliate the year prior, as he played the final eight regular season games and then 20 playoff games with St. Johns. The Jets blueline is crowded with the likes of Dustin Byfuglien, Tyler Myers, Tobias Enstrom, and Jacob Trouba entrenched in top four roles, so Morrissey will get top minutes in the AHL.

Scouting Report:

Morrissey is a fantastic skater who enjoys joining the rush and is often heavily involved in the offensive end. He also demonstrates a very high panic threshold, allowing him to take the responsibility of moving the puck out of his own end. Morrissey has high end vision and makes strong passes in all three zones. While an offensive blueliner, the former first rounder is not reckless, as he avoids unnecessary risks with the puck. Despite underwhelming size, he has been known to play physically and has a strong point shot, hinting at the skill set to play on the power play down the line. – Hockey Prospectus

3. Kyle Connor: Center – 6’1” / 177  lbs
Drafted: 17^th overall in the first round of the 2015 draft by Winnipeg

Connor was the leading scorer in the rapidly developing USHL, with 80 points in 56 games as an 18 year old, and was the runner up in his rookie year at 17. Having dominated the USHL for two years, he will take his game to the NCAA where he has committed to Michigan. Connor should also be considered a lock for Team USA at the WJC as he has previously represented his country at both the U18 and U19 tournaments already.  Connor has the speed and skill that project to a top six role, and can play either wing or center. He needs time to mature physically and add strength and mass to his decent 6’1” frame.

Scouting Report:

The prototypical two-way forward, Connor excels in all three zones of the ice, and in any situation. His elite vision and hockey sense make him best-suited at the center position, where he can see the ice best and decide whether to make the pass or shoot. An exceptional passer, Connor has a very underrated power and accurate shot as well, making him both a lethal playmaker and sniper. His puckhandling skills allow for maximum creativity, and his speed and boundless energy make him difficult to contain.

Connor’s defensive game is well-advanced when compared to that of his fellow 2015 NHL draftees; the forward knows where the puck is at all times and knows how to get it on his stick (he is known for causing turnovers). He oozes confidence in his abilities and never fails to show up in a game, making him an incredibly tough opponent to go up against every night. – Todays Slapshot

4. Nic Petan: Center – 5’9” / 165 lbs
Drafted: 43^rd overall in the second round of the 2013 draft by Winnipeg

Petan was dominant in his final junior season scoring 89 points in 54 games for Portland. He won a Gold Medal with Team Canada at the WJC, scoring 11 points in seven games. Petan has evolved into an assist machine as the playmaking centre, finishing his WHL career with 248 assists in 252 games. Petan has made the Jets to start the season and had his first career NHL goal after five games. Still only 20 and undersized, he may end up in Manitoba as he needs to add some mass to his slight frame.

Scouting Report:

Clever, highly-skilled playmaker with high-end vision and imagination .. plays a bold and gutsy style given his diminutive stature – his courage level helping offset the obvious size deficiency .. gifted puckhandler – equipped with a keen sense for pressure .. adept at drawing checkers in and creating space for others .. springy, sneaky-quick skater on a wide base – driven by flexible legs that are long relative to body size .. comfortable operating with legs spread wide – which brings his hands and stick closer to the ice, thereby enhancing control .. exhibits great presence of mind in possession – head up – deploying brief bursts of activity followed by pauses where he slows the game down and assesses options .. squirmy 1-on-1 – makes nifty little shifts and lateral cuts, and will hold the puck an extra second to get outside defenders and free up a shooting lane .. can cut at sharp angles with the puck and unload a quick, accurate wristshot at full speed .. responsible and diligent defensively – competes hard in his zone, but still labours to contain bigger opponents down low . – McKeens Hockey

5. Connor Hellebuyck: Goalie – 6’4” / 185 lbs
Drafted: 130^th overall in the fifth round of the 2012 draft by Winnipeg

After dominating the college ranks for two seasons, Hellebuyck turned pro last season and posted a respectable 2.58 GAA and .921 sv% in his rookie season as a 21 year old. Hellebuyck finished third overall in shutouts and led the AHL in games played – his 28 wins was second best in the league. He had a breakout performance for Team USA at the WC, winning the Bronze with an eye-popping 1.37 GAA and .948 sv%. The crease is crowded in Winnipeg with Ondrej Pavelec and Michael Hutchinson in front of Hellebuyck and Eric Comrie with him in the AHL. It is strong competition which should push all four but with his size, poise, and athleticism, Hellebuyck is on track for a starting job.

Scouting Report:

Hellebuyck is huge in the net, but is not saddled with many of the issues that are commonly associated with large goaltenders. He is a strong skater, and takes advantage of that by being smart about his butterfly usage. He does not sit back and rely on his size do the work. His lateral pushes are explosive, but he stays within himself due to an understanding of the type of positioning that works best for a goalie of his size. It’s very rare to see Hellebuyck scramble out of position, which is a sign of a goaltender that knows his limits and is in complete control. The buzz around the AHL at the beginning of last season was “Who is this guy?” but that quickly turned into “How the heck do you beat this guy?” He’s only a household name in the AHL right now, but the NHL shouldn’t be too far behind. – In Goal Magazine

6. Jack Roslovic: Center – 6’1” / 182 lbs
Drafted: 25^th overall in the first round of the 2015 draft by Winnipeg

If you can find a gem late in the first round, then that is what the Jets may have done with Roslovic. While his offensive upside does not scream future Art Ross winner, Roslovic scored a combined 117 points in 90 games playing for Team USA in the USHL and USDP in his draft year, highlighted by an eleven point performance in seven games for USA at the U18. Roslovic was arguably the best defensive forward available at the 2015 draft and as such has drawn comparisons to Patrice Bergeron. He has average size but outstanding two-way ability and projects as an ideal second line center. Roslovic has committed to Miami and will play the upcoming season in the NCAA.

Scouting Report:

An energetic forward who brings a lot of speed and impulses to the ice. Is a very agile skater with explosive first steps and can go in different directions very fast even with the puck on his stick. Able to dance through the offensive zone with good puck protection and fast turns. Good in traffic areas, decent puckhandler and solid own zone play. Works very hard on the ice and is willing to battle in each shift. Great work ethic. Needs to work on his balance and tends to blind passes. He sometimes tries to do too much and might not possess high end scoring skills but he makes it up with his mindset and willingness to sacrifice his body to take one for the team. Can be found everywhere on the ice and is bringing energy to the ice in each shift. – MyNHLDraft.com

7. Jansen Harkins: Center – 6’1” / 182 lbs
Drafted: 47^th overall in the second round of the 2015 draft by Winnipeg

Harkins developed his offensive game in his draft year and second season with Prince George, eclipsing the point per game pace with 79 points in 70 games. Harkins plays a strong two-way game, is more of a playmaker than sniper, and thinks the game at an elite level at the junior level. Like Roslovic, he projects as a versatile all-around player and ideal third line pivot.

Scouting Report:

A blue collar type two-way center. Heads-up player who makes high-percentage plays in all three zones; efficient in all situations. Smooth skater. Out-working the opposition and being hard to play against are leadership traits that Jansen Harkins most definitely embodies. (Curtis Joe, EP 2014)

Has been getting many comparisons, due to his high-end playmaking ability and all-around game, to the player David Krejci. Comparable adaptive game and ability to shoot as well as pass the puck. – Elite Prospects

8. Joel Armia: Right Wing – 6’3” / 192 lbs
Drafted: 16^th overall in the first round of the 2011 draft by Buffalo
Acquired: Trade with Buffalo in 2015

Armia has seen his stock dip since his breakout performance with Finland at the WJC where he scored six goals and 12 points in six games. Since then his transition to North America has been bumpy. In his first season with Rochester, he scored at 0.5 points per game pace. This past season he started out with Rochester again where his points per game pace increased to 0.76 and was called up for his NHL debut, where he played in one game. Then he was traded to St. Johns where his points per game fell all the way down to 0.38. Armia is a talented goal scorer who seems to be struggling with adapting to North America, and his new team. He seemed to figure it out in Rochester and should see improvement in Manitoba.

Scouting Report:

When I watched him, he has very good vision. The skill set that he has, with regards to making plays and making plays in those tight areas, it was something that jumped off the page. An area he has to work on is having that high level of compete all the time because he’s a player that has to have the puck. He can make plays with it, but he’s got to make sure he’s working to get it back. There’s big upside to him. – Manitoba Moose head coach Keith McCambridge, Winnipeg Sun

9. Andrew Copp: Center – 6’0” / 188 lbs
Drafted: 104^th overall in the 4^th round of the 2013 draft by Winnipeg

After three successful seasons of college hockey with Michigan, Copp signed his first pro contract and made his NHL debut at the end of last season –  scoring his first career NHL point in his first game.  Perhaps one of the most underrated prospects in the Jets organization, Copp could be a full time NHLer starting this season and have a significant impact with his physical two-way play winning puck battles.

Scouting Report:

Copp is big, athletic, and an excellent leader. He plays a strong two-way game. He’s been overshadowed a bit by the superlative offensive performance of teammates Dylan Larkin and Zach Hyman, but Copp’s offensive numbers have been strong, while still making plays on the defensive end as well. – SBNation

10. Eric Comrie: Goalie – 6’1” / 167 lbs
Drafted: 59^th overall in the second round of the 2013 draft by Winnipeg

Comrie had an impressive junior career with the Tri-City Americans and studied under owner Olaf Kolzig and practiced in the summers with Tri-City Alumni Carey Price. Comrie won Gold with Team Canada at the WJC before finishing the season in the AHL, playing three games with St. Johns, winning two and posting a 2.27 GAA. Comrie will have to fight with Hellebuyck for the starting job in the AHL and for the future starter in the NHL, but he has the tools and the pedigree to win the job.

Scouting Report:

fiercely competitive goalie .. possesses a keen understanding of angles, situational awareness, and body positioning .. relies on his intellect and strong game-reading abilities – and is supported by excellent athleticism and reflexes .. understands what’s going to happen next .. net coverage is considerably greater than his size might suggest .. makes himself appear bigger in the net by aggressively moving out and cutting down angles .. gifted skater, light-switch-quick with superb hand and footspeed .. moves around and seals off holes demonstrating extraordinary speed, body control, and technical know-how .. makes fluid reaction glove saves, and reaching toe-pad stops .. deft edgework allows for dazzling cross-crease surges to shutdown sure chances .. skating fundamentals, footwork, and overall butterfly mechanics are quite polished for his age .. stays cool and composed when dialed-in and at his focused best .. proficient at battling through traffic in order to cover loose pucks or make rebound saves in a controlled manner .. suffers breakdowns in his play at times and will revert to old habits – including collapsing back into the net, which exposes his size limitations – McKeens Hockey

Honorable Mentions:

The Jets have the richest and deepest prospect pool in the NHL and as such, several players in the honorable mention would no doubt be on lesser teams top five!

Brendan Lemieux, Scott Kosmachuck, J.C. Lipon, Chase De Leo, Jan Kostalek, Jack Glover, Jimmy Lodge, Pavel Kraskovsky, Julien Melchiori, Erik Foley.

Recent Roster Graduations: Adam Lowry, Ben Chiarot, Jacob Trouba, Michael Hutchinson

Players under 25 years old and with less than 25 career NHL games played qualify as a prospect for purpose of this list.

Written by Peter Harling, who can be found on twitter @pharling

Nikolaj Ehlers

Josh Morrissey

Kyle Connor

Nic Petan

Connor Hellebuyck

Jack Roslovic

Jansen Harkins

Joel Armia

Andrew Copp

Eric Comrie