But the two players who have played solid, simple games that have really surprised me are Poolman and Bitetto. They use their size well, but their puck movement is what makes a difference for them. They don't try to do anything too difficult. They see a play ahead of them and they make it. They typically have success doing it that way.
We have to remember that these players have been hungry for a regular opportunity in the NHL and now they're getting it just by playing an efficient, firm game in the 'D' zone. They're not trying to play outside their capabilities.
Bottom line, it certainly seems that the philosophy in Winnipeg now with this group of defensemen is to move the puck north as quick as possible, to get it off their sticks and into the hands of the forwards without any need for flare or dramatics.
If I'm a coach with the Jets, I want Scheifele, Wheeler, Laine, Connor and Ehlers to have the puck as much as possible. They have the speed, skill and size to make some magic happen with the puck. I feels to me every time I watch the Jets that those players have the puck more than they did in previous seasons.
No one can deny the significance of Hellebuyck on the Jets' success this season, but when I watched them live and for several games on television I'm consistently seeing a strong, simple, smart effort from the defensemen playing in front of him.
The Jets wouldn't survive this season if their defensemen tried to be all-stars. They don't have that skillset. But with the way they're playing, it doesn't look like they need it.