S17 - Slow Start for the Jets [WB1]

The start of the 2006-2007 VHL season has been a rocky one for the Winnipeg Jets in the standings.  Just nine games into the season they find themselves three games below the 500 mark and in 20^th place overall.  Last season it seemed that no matter what the Jets did, there was a positive outcome.  But this season will require substantial hard work and will from the entire organization to turn the ship around.

It has not all been doom and gloom to start the season.  There has been some positive occurrences to begin this season.

Positives

Chris Phillips

Following signing his new contract, making him the highest Jets player to date, Phillips has begun the season on a torrid pace.  Phillips has produced an impressive 13 points in his first 9 games.  He has shown a great deal of chemistry with his new teammates and has provided additional veteran leadership to a very young defense core.  If Phillips continues even close to his current point pace, he will beat his career high for points in a season (60).

Jeff Carter

With expectations of Carter higher than any prospect straight from junior, it would take winning the Calder in order to exceed them.  Since being the biggest Jets prospect since Selanne or Tkachuk, Carter definitely has some big shoes to fill.  The season has started with decent production for a rookie.  Carter has chipped in 5 points in 9 games and has showed pose and maturity as the top line centre at just 21 years of age.  The biggest challenge for Carter will be to improve his -1 plus/minus rating as the season progresses.

Negatives

Goaltending

The tandem of Anderson and Ward were exceptional in the preceding season, but to start this season they have been far less than stellar.  The goalkeepers as a pair combined for a save percentage of .909 with a goals against average of 2.57 last season.  To start this season, their combined save percentage is .880 and a goals against average of 3.45.  If Winnipeg has any hope in turning their season around, both Ward and Anderson will need to find their groove and start stopping some pucks.

Home Not Sweet Home

The Jets have generally produced decent home records in previous seasons.  The start to the current season has been horrible to put it lightly.  Only 1 win in their first 5 home games this season is the only state that needs to be looked at to understand what needs to be improved going forward.  The Jets need to get comfortable playing in their home rink and start getting some home wins, than they will likely be able to turn this start of the season around.

WC: 452