Winnipeg Jets 2021 draft review

Round 1, 8^th overall, D, Simon Edvinsson

First time since Joe Tremblay era that the Jets organization drafted a defenseman in the 1^st round. The team is really happy with the pick of Simon Edvinsson, he was the player the wanted to select at 8^th overall.

Scouting report: “Edvinsson is a detailed defender with high-level in-zone instincts, a tight neutral zone gap, well-timed physicality, and supporting instincts to match. He manoeuvres with the puck kept in his hip pocket, with his top hand in control, free from his body. With a smooth and gracious skating stride scaffolded on top of those mechanical handling skills, Edvinsson’s tools sometimes take him to rarified air as a puck-carrier” – Elite Prospects

Round 2, 59^th overall, LW, Ayrton Martino

To be honest, he was not the player the Jets wanted to select originally at 59^th overall. Winnipeg was looking to grad defensemen Jack Peart, but Philadelphia selects him 2 spots before us, and we had to change our plan. However, the team is really happy to have Martino in our organization.

Scouting report: “Martino moves so well off the puck to find pockets of space offensively in areas where he can get off a quick shot. He’s a master of the give-and-go. He identifies the best play before receiving the pass, then one-timer the puck to an open. Hook and slip passes allow him to contort his puck positioning to pass through defenders.” – Elite Prospects

Round 5, 147^th overall, D, Jack Bar

The team had him really high in their list and they were really happy that he was still available at 147^th overall. Bar seems to have the potential to become a really good two-way defensemen.

Scouting report: “Curl-and-drag wristers make him a scoring threat, and he’s not shy about using the threat of a shot to pass. He doesn’t settle for point shots, using give-and-goes and off-puck activation to become an option, then stepping inside and firing. Sets up the defender to maximize his odds of getting the shot through. He hits moving targets through pressure, keeping lanes open with deception.” – Elite Prospects

Round 5, 150^th overall, D, Jacob Truscott

Jets organization had him on their list last year but they were not able to get another pick to grab him. He puts up a good 1^st season in NCAA this year in a secondary role at defense and the Jets are really confident he will continue to grow up as a good defensive defenseman.

Scouting report (2020): “Truscott uses great edge work and mobility to find great passing options and exits from his own end of the ice. One can take solace in the fact that Truscott is a technically skilled passer who can thread the needle in all three zones -- even if he doesn't leverage that often enough to be an impact player, proof of concept exists.” – Elite Prospects

Round 5, 152^nd overall, C/LW, Victor Stjernborg

The team opted for Stjernborg at 152th overall for his already develop two way games. He might not be a good offensive player, but the organization think that he could be a useful player on a 3^rd or 4^th line role.

Scouting report: “Stjernborg has one of the biggest and best motors in the draft. He can run up and down the ice, cover its width a few times, and still have energy for one last rush, one last desperate backcheck or race to a loose puck before a change. He plays with control. He applies himself in his every defensive technique -- angling, shot-blocking, shoulder-checking, puck-sealing, etc.” – Elite Prospects

Round 6, 167^th overall, C, James Malatesta

Malatesta style of play will make him a fan favorite in the future. He is a North/South style player with a lot of energy.  The team is really happy to acquire this type of player in the organization.

Scouting report: “James Malatesta plays at a breakneck pace. He knows no other way. His motor has been stuck on top gear for years now, but he decided he likes it that way. The check-up can wait. He trusts his reaction time; he can totally outspeed and outmaneuver anything in his path. He doesn’t just motor up the ice with the puck; he chases it just as hard on the forecheck and backcheck.” – Elite Prospects

Round 6, 168^th overall, C, Jakub Brabenec

Brabebec is a project. The team knew it before selecting him, but at 168^th overall, this project could become a really good bet for the organization. Patience will be the world in his case.

Scouting report: “He seems to know his next play before the puck comes to him. He flashes deception, anticipates seams, controls his skating to attack them, sees opportunities to hide at the top of the offensive zone to pop in the slot for passes, and generally supports plays well -- even if connecting them can prove a bit more difficult.” – Elite prospects

Round 6, 177^th overall, G, Joe Vrbetic

At 177^th overall, it was the time for the team to select a goalie. Vrbetic has a really good size that remind us Matt Murray. Drafting goalie is always a bet, here we are now.

Scouting report: “Vrbetic is...big. At 6’6, he is one of the tallest goaltenders available this year. However, he is very slight, built similar to Ottawa Senators netminder and former Stanley Cup Champion Matt Murray. A late born ‘02, Vrbetic only has one year of OHL action under his belt, and his performance was inconsistent for a rebuilding Battalion team. However, his athleticism and quickness are improving (or were improving before the stoppage) and he does a great job of fighting through traffic to make clean saves. There is a potential NHL netminder here.” – Mckeen’s Hockey

Round 6, 180^th overall, LW/RW, Albert Sjoberg

Why not select a defensive forward here in 180^th overall? The team think that at this rank, defensive forward are often great value player.

Scouting report: “He focuses on outspeeding defenders, on breaking in the offensive zone before the defence collapses on him, and then looks to fire on net. He is very net-focused, and very focused on getting shots off on the rush. He can turn steals defensively into offence.” – Elite Prospects

Round 6, 187^th overall, C, Oliver Johansson

Honestly, the team did not have him on their list, but the fact that he was selected by an NHL team at 3^rd round was intriguing for the organization. He seems to have a good shot, we will see if this gamble will be valuable for the team in a few years.

Scouting report: “In a season split between the J18, J20 and senior ranks, Johansson’s chance to shine was sporadic, but even in limited opportunities, he showed a knack for putting the puck in the net, due to positioning, instincts and keeping his stick on the ice and ready. While his lack of high-level experience is somewhat concerning, he has put up good numbers wherever he has gone, and his puck control lends reason to believe that he can continue to succeed against better competition.” – Mckeen’s Hockey

Round 7, 199^th overall, C, Liam Dower Nilsson

The team almost selected him at 6^th round, but they choose Oliver Johansson instead. The team was surprise he was still available at this rank because he has the potential to be a really good two-way center in the future.

Scouting report: “He is a playmaker, a passer, a set-up man, the player who feeds you the puck through three layers of defence right on your tape at the goal-mouth and the quarterback of your power play. Dower-Nilsson never reveals the position of his intended outlet. He scans the ice once to locate it and then looks away, only tracking its progress in his peripheral vision.” – Elite Prospects

Round 7, 209^th overall, G, Eetu Makiniemi

The Jets finally select another goalie with their last pick in this year draft. Makiniemi just sign a two year deal with Carolina (NHL) and should be a useful goalie in our AHL squad at the beginning of 2022-2023 season. He has some potential to become a back goalie in the big leagues if he gets more consistent.

Scouting report (2019): “Mäkiniemi is a hybrid netminder who has really elevated his game from the past season, especially in terms of consistency and rebound control. He moves really well, showing great flexibility and the ability to make extension pad saves. He has very good recovery speed and he can make desperation saves from time to time to keep his team in games. He is strong in breakaways as he stays patient and collected in these situations. Mäkiniemi is tough to beat low and challenges shooters. More of a long-term project for the Hurricaness but his development is definitely heading in the right direction.” – Finnish junior hockey website