WINNIPEG MB -With their prospect pool bursting at the seams the Winnipeg Jets will have another first round pick courtesy of the Chicago Blackhawks who dealt the 22nd pick to Winnipeg in the Andrew Ladd deal. The Jets who owned the 2nd overall pick may have been taking calls on this later pick but probably are drooling at the thought of another young stud to get into the system.
The Jets who have been known to go off the board with certain picks in the past will look at some very interesting options with this pick. A very sharp and shrewd scouting staff has the team in good hands as they have made some great picks in the past few drafts to help a team that once had a very thin prospect base become the top rated future team by the Hockey News who have predicted a 2019 Stanley Cup for the city of Winnipeg.
Once again the team will probably take the best available option at number 22 but one thing they haven’t had in the system or on their roster is much local flavor. With lots of top players from Manitoba around it seems odd that the Jets haven’t had more than one Manitoba draft pick. Jason Kasdorf who was selected with their last pick in 2011 has since moved on to the Sabres as part of the Evander Kane deal.
There is one thing the Jets like and that’s big hard working fast gritty guys. One player who fits the bill and is from just outside Winnipeg is a skilled center who has size and some touch around the net and maybe could fill a bottom six role is Oakbank Manitoba’s Brett Howden who played with the Western Hockey League’s Moose Jaw Warriors.
Howden has been rated as high as 23rd by some experts and could be that local product who can maybe exceed expectations. He did produce 24 goals and 64 points in 68 games this season and also is a respected leader on every team he plays on, he was the captain of the U18 Canadian team as well as an alternate captain for the Warriors.
“With the 22nd pick the Winnipeg Jets select Brett Howden from the Moose Jaw Warriors.”
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