One of the more patient teams in the league — sometimes frustratingly so — the Winnipeg Jets have quietly been building through the draft. Five of the eight first-round picks made by Kevin Cheveldayoff are contributing to the NHL team while two others, Kyle Connor and Jack Roslovic, were the top two scorers for the AHL’s Manitoba Moose so they may not be far off from joining the Jets. Logan Stanley, a six-foot-seven defenceman taken with Winnipeg’s second first-rounder in 2016, is more of a long-term project.
The Jets, with an eye on the playoffs, traded the 13th overall pick to Vegas for expansion draft considerations (don’t take Tobias Enstrom) as part of a package to get the 24th overall pick in return. It kept the team in Round 1, and secured a deep blue line.
The Jets have an organizational need for defencemen, but will take the best player available to add to an impressive prospect pool.
Beyond that, the Jets need to hit on some of their later round picks. Adam Lowry (third round), Connor Hellebuyck (fifth round) and Andrew Copp (fourth round) are NHLers already, while Michael Spacek (fourth round), Tucker Poolman (fifth round) and Sami Niku (seventh round) are a few intriguing prospects coming to the AHL. Winnipeg is doing a great job of reversing the miserable post-first-round drafting trend of the Atlanta Thrashers.
2017 Draft Picks
24
43
74
105
136
167
198
211
TOP THREE PROSPECTS CURRENTLY IN THE SYSTEM
Kyle Connor, LW: The 17th overall pick in 2015, Connor’s 25 goals on just 52 AHL games led the team. A goal-scorer at every level he’s played, Connor got a 20-game taste of NHL action last season and will get a long look in camp this spring. Another exciting young talent to be added to the core.
Jack Roslovic, C: Like Connor, Roslovic made the move from NCAA hockey to the pros after one year and led the Moose with 48 points in 65 games. The two together made for an explosive combination at times. Roslovic will also get a look in camp however, with the Jets making Tobias Enstrom available to Vegas and protecting another depth forward, there’s one less spot up front on next year’s roster.
Eric Comrie, G: His save percentages in two AHL seasons don’t jump off the page (.906 and .907), but the Moose lack defensive depth and the 21-year-old has been good and relatively stable despite that. Hellebuyck has priority, but Comrie is Winnipeg’s second “goalie of the future.”
TWO PLAYERS WHO MAY BE AVAILABLE IN ROUND 1
Conor Timmins, D, Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds (OHL): A 6-foot-1, right-shooting defenceman with tremendous offensive game. Scored 69 points in 67 games in the OHL this season.
Nic Hague, D, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL): Huge 6-foot-5 defenceman with a physical lean to his game. Knock is on his skating, which needs work, but he brings a big-league shot to the table.
BEST 24th OVERALL PICKS IN NHL HISTORY
Sean Burke, 1985: Broke into the NHL at 21 and played until age 40. Won 324 career games (25th all-time) and was a Vezina finalist in 2001-02.
Daniel, 1996: Finished with 973 games played with 696 points. A playoff monster, Briere scored 116 points in 124 post-season games and 13 game-winning goals.
T.J. Oshie, 2005: With 591 games played his story is still being written, but Oshie has 417 points and is coming off a career-best 33 goals. Will strike it big with or without Washington as a free agent this summer.
OTHER NOTABLE PICKS AT 24th OVERALL
• Toronto Maple Leafs picked Alexander Steen 24th overall in 2002.
• Philadelphia Flyers picked Mike Richards 24th overall in 2003.
• Calgary Flames picked Mikael Backlund 24th overall in 2007.
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