Seattle Kraken: 3 players from each Western Conference play-in series teams to watch
Adam Lowry, Winnipeg Jets. (Photo by Lisa Gansky, via Flickr)
Winnipeg Jets (9th seed) vs. Calgary Flames (8)
This will be the best series of the play-in round. Winnipeg has been disappointing this year, but they have plenty of firepower on the roster. Goalie Connor Hellebuyck has faced plenty of rubber and re-established himself as one of the top netminders in the west. It’s finally time for Calgary to put it all together and win a postseason series. But can they put it all together?
Winnipeg
Andrew Copp, F – He struggles to get prime minutes on a team with many outstanding forwards. He could become a decent top-six player.
Brian Little, C – There isn’t much tread left on the tires at this point, but lots of mileage left on the contract. The oft-injured 32-year-old center comes with an Average Annual Value of $5.3M through 2024.
Adam Lowry, C – Lowry is in the same bind Copp is. And Just like Copp, he is strong in the faceoff circle. Both players won over 53 percent of their draws.
Calgary
Sam Bennett, C – The talented center might be a long shot for expansion exposure. Then again, the Flames might be able to talk Milan Lucic into waiving his “no movement” clause so they can protect Bennett.
Dillon Dube, F – Too many Young talented forwards in Calgary for Dube to be protected.
Mark Giordano, D – He’s 36 and comes with a $6.7M per season price tag through 2022. he would make a heck of a first captain, though.