So, unfortunately the Jets ended without the playoffs for the second year in a row, but they definitely showed some improvement. Here are my grades for each player by position.
GOALTENDERS
Ondrej Pavelec: B+; I can't quite give Pavs an A on this season, although he was a work-horse. He was arguably the Jets best player all season, and was one of the main reasons as to why they almost made the playoffs. He did allow some weaker goals at times that weren't ideal (though is it ever ideal?). Pavelec is the future goalie of this franchise, played very well this year, and will improve for the future.
Al Montoya: B; Not much so say about Montoya as he only played 4 games, but he played well in those 4 games and picked up the only Jets shutout this year. My money is on him returning as Pavelec's backup for next season.
D-MEN
Zach Bogosian: A-; He has amazing potential, and this year he showed us that he has the potential to become a Norris Trophy candidate someday. Is a mean guy to play against, who can chip in on the offensive side of the puck. What's not to like?
Tobias Enstrom: B+; Unfortunately his season was cut short by injuries. But when Toby was playing, he was a difference makers, averaging almost a point per game at one point. He's vital to their power-play's success, a power-play that struggled this year. For the Jets to have success, they need this guy in the lineup.
Dustin Byfuglien: B; With big Buff you know what you're going to get. Huge offensive upside, but some defensive lapses. Despite those, he's till one of the Jets most skilled players.
Grant Clitsome: B; Exceeded my expectations. Chipped in with 4 goals and filled in nicely on an injury riddled blue line. He's one of the UFA's at the end of the year. He can play anywhere in the d-core whether it's as a seventh man, or on the top pair. He's a valuable guy to have.
Mark Stuart: B; You'll get what you expect with Mark Stuart. He's gritty, mean, tough, and chips in everywhere he can. If all the Jets had his compete, they'd be a better team.
Zach Redmond: B; It's a miracle that he is back in game shape. I think he exceeded most people's expectations this season, and outplayed some of the other d-men who will either be competing for spots next year, or will find themselves looking for a job.
Derek Meech: C+; A depth d-man on most team's is a valuable asset. It would be nice to see the hometown kid come back for another year, but with Jacob Trouba on the rise someone has to go.
Paul Postma: C; I think people expected more out of Paul Postma. If I were the Jets I would re-sign him. He's still young, but he needs to pick up his physical play. He's a big guy, but is getting out-muscled by smaller forwards. I'd give him one more year to prove he can be a mainstay in the NHL.
Ron Hainsey: C; He logs big minutes, blocks shots, and seems like a popular guy in the dressing room. But he makes too many mistakes, some that led to huge goals against. I wouldn't expect to see him back next year with the emergence of Redmond and Trouba.
FORWARDS
Andrew Ladd: A; He was everything for the Jets this year, by far their best player (possibly aside from Pavs).
Blake Wheeler: A-; Beat his goal total from last season in less games, and is arguable the Jets most skilled player up front. He, along with this line-mates have given the Jets a solid top line.
Bryan Little: B; Has great chemistry with Ladd, and Wheeler, was key on both the offensive and defensive side of the puck this year.
Evander Kane: B; Evander Kane is truly budding into a super star. He could easily be a 30 goal scorer for a lot of his career. Finding someone to play on the right side of the line with him and Jokinen with more skill would benefit him greatly.
Nik Antropov: B-; Antro may have just done enough to earn another year with the Jets. I feel the development of Scheifele will factor into that decision. For me it would be him or Kyle Wellwood, Antropov produced more this year, and played far more physical than Wellwood (did Welly throw any hits this season?). He's a veteran, and physical presence to a team that desperately needs that.
Eric Tangradi: B-; Tangradi provides a solid physical force up front, he's a good checking line winger, and showed that he has some moves on the offensive side as well.
Jim Slater: B-; A heart and soul guy who's season was cut short by an injury. He hits, fights, kills penalties, and wins face-offs like nobody's business, valuable player to any team.
Chris Thorburn: B-; Another heart and soul guy who's liked in the dressing room, and liked by the fans. Chips in offensively every now and then, but does most of his talking with his physical play.
Olli Jokinen: C+; Despite having his worst offensive year ever, he still provides a veteran presence. He would benefit from a winger to play with him and Kane. Jokinen is a vet, and he won't have another terrible year like this one.
James Wright: C+; Like Tangradi, he provides a good physical force, could have had 7 or 8 goals this season, just couldn't finish like he wanted too.
Anthony Peluso: C+; We got what we expected with Peluso, he's tough as nails, and seems to be a good enforcer. The only reason I gave him such a low grade is because his season was cut short by a hand injury.
Kyle Wellwood: C+; After a slow start, and a few trips to the press box, Wellwood picked up his play towards the end of the year. Whether it was enough to earn a contract renewal will be up to Kevin Chevaldayoff.
Alex Burmistrov: C; A dissapointing year for the young Russian, his contract is up at the end of the year, but I wouldn't expect him to get a phone call until Zach Bogosian is signed to a new contract. With the way he's played he hasn't earned himself a long term contract by any means.
Antti Miettinen: C-; Hasn't performed up to expectations. Found himself a healthy scratch an a lot of nights.
Mike Santorelli, Aaron Gagnon, and Patrice Cormier all had stints with the Jets this season, and contributed in their own ways. I expect them all to be at training camp next season.
OVERALL TEAM GRADE
B-: A B- is usually be a pretty good grade, but in the NHL, sometimes it's not enough to get you into the playoffs. I would say the team exceeded most people's expectations, and came very close to making the playoffs. It's definitely a sign of improvement.
Pending FA's I expect to see back next year:
Nik Antropov, Alex Burmistrov, Paul Postma, Blake Wheeler, Zach Redmond, Grant Clitsome, Zach Bogosian
Pending FA's I don't expect to see back next year:
Ron Hainsey, Antti Miettinen, Kyle Wellwood.
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