Winnipeg Jets Mid-Term Report Card: Defence and Goal —
The Winnipeg Jets record at the time of this evaluation was 18 – 18 – 5.
The Winnipeg Jets defencemen have all had stretches where they have struggled and stretches where they have played well. This has been the trademark of this team since it’s arrival in Winnipeg. There are very good individual pieces in this group but collectively Winnipeg hockey fans haven’t seen the best this group has to offer as a WHOLE unit. The defensive play has vastly improved but they are still prone to some of their past glaring mistakes. With this group it is a continuous work in progress but there have been glimpses of improvement which is encouraging. Toby Enstrom would have received a grade of B or B+ but his offensive numbers aren’t where they should be but he has been pretty good for the most part this season. It’s not a coincidence that whoever his partner is they seem to be the Winnipeg Jets “Top Pairing”.
The Winnipeg Jets goaltending is a constant talking point in this city. Is Ondrej Pavelec a true #1 goaltender? Should Al Montoya get more starts in goal? Is there a goaltending controversy? Like I said after the 1st quarter this team will need their goaltenders to be at the top of their games every night if they have any aspirations of being a play-off team.
Ondrej Pavelec Photo by Shawn Coates
For me, the goaltending situation is simple. Win and your in !!! I don’t care about Pavelec’s contract and I don’t care about his fragile psyche. It’s time to take off the kid gloves, suck it up and earn your time in the crease. Competition is healthy. With a .500 record at the halfway point this team has it’s work cut out for them in the second half and the tandem of Pavelec/Montoya or Montoya/Pavelec need to be better than average.
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