{"id":3715,"date":"2016-11-29T23:06:32","date_gmt":"2016-11-30T04:06:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=3715"},"modified":"2016-11-29T23:06:33","modified_gmt":"2016-11-30T04:06:33","slug":"kyle-connor-ahl-stint-imminent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2016\/11\/29\/kyle-connor-ahl-stint-imminent\/","title":{"rendered":"For Kyle Connor, An AHL Stint Is Imminent"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the depleted\u00a0Winnipeg Jets<\/strong>\u00a0lineup inching closer to full strength, it’s becoming clear that\u00a0a Kyle Connor<\/a><\/strong> AHL stint is imminent. The college\u00a0to NHL transition hasn’t been all that kind to him. While he showed glimpses of greatness in the pre-season, some development time with the\u00a0Manitoba Moose\u00a0<\/strong>is needed\u00a0in order for the\u00a0glimpses to turn into consistency.<\/p>\n

Hot Start, Slow Finish<\/h3>\n

The 19 year-old\u00a0was on fire in the pre-season, potting three goals in five contests. Coming off a league leading 71 point season in the NCAA with the Michigan Wolverines<\/strong>, he already figured to warrant a spot in the opening day lineup. His preseason efforts further cemented him in the conversation.<\/p>\n

It started going downhill from there.<\/p>\n

No more than 11 minutes into regular season, centreman\u00a0Bryan Little<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>went down with a lower body injury. This would force Mathieu Perreault<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Connor’s centre at the time \u2014\u00a0up the lineup. Historically, Perreault makes the teammates he plays with better. Connor\u00a0was robbed of the opportunity to build a bond of chemistry with him.<\/p>\n

In 18 games, Connor has only recorded a total of four points. Nothing seems to be able to get him going. His zone adjusted\u00a0Corsi for percentage of 44% is fifth worst on the team. He’s been soft on the forecheck, with not nearly enough offense to make up for it.<\/p>\n

Coach’s Comments<\/h3>\n

Recent comments from Head Coach\u00a0Paul Maurice <\/strong>have seemed to imply an AHL reassignment for Connor:<\/p>\n

\u201cNic Petan<\/a><\/strong> has been great. What\u2019s been interesting is the players that have come in \u2014 when some of these veteran guys come back \u2014 some of these guys have earned spots and it may change the way we look going forward.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

Moose recalls Petan and Marko Dano<\/a><\/strong> playing as well as they have been makes the forward group even more crowded. While they are on two-way contracts and don’t require waivers if sent down (neither does Connor), Maurice\u00a0is really hinting that he intends for them to stay. The two\u00a021 year-olds are in more mature phases of their development curves than Connor.<\/p>\n

Petan has been placed on the injured reserve retro-active to November 27, buying Connor a little time. But once he and Perreault are activated, Connor’s AHL fate may be sealed.<\/p>\n

Perreault could be returning to the Jets lineup as early as Thursday.<\/p>\n

Going Forward<\/h3>\n

Rather than playing fourth line minutes in the NHL with grinders, Connor is better off riding shotgun\u00a0with Jack Roslovic<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0in the AHL.\u00a0<\/strong>Roslovic is the Moose\u00a0points leader with 13. Playing on his wing and\u00a0generating offense on a nightly basis\u00a0is much better for Connor’s development.<\/p>\n

His ice time with the Jets has drastically decreased.\u00a0He played a measly 3:03 in Sunday afternoon’s victory\u00a0over the\u00a0Nashville Predators<\/strong>. It’s becoming inevitable that once the lineup heals a bit more, Connor will be the odd man out.<\/p>\n

Maybe “man” isn’t the most accurate term\u00a0to describe him. At 19, much of the youthful winger’s potential has yet to be untapped. Connor’s\u00a0time is going to come, he projects to be a dynamic player in the near future. But in the present day, a Kyle Connor AHL stint is what works best for both him and\u00a0his team.<\/p>\n

Main Image:<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n