Goals and expectations for the Jets’ number one defenceman Josh Morrissey

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The countdown to the Winnipeg Jets 2025-26 dwelling opener is now at Nino Niederreiter (62) days to go. It’s time now to proceed the “objectives and expectations” sequence for the upcoming season, as I’m shifting to the blue line for the subsequent few gamers. Up first is Josh Morrissey, the Jets licensed primary defenceman, a participant who’s broadly thought of a prime 15 (perhaps even prime 10) defenceman within the NHL. The 2024-25 season was one other huge 12 months for Morrissey, and he now prepares to enter his first NHL season in his 30s.

Morrissey was chosen thirteenth general within the 2013 NHL Draft by the Winnipeg Jets. After a number of years of improvement within the NHL, Morrissey’s huge breakout season got here again in 2022-23. After recording a profession excessive 37 factors within the 2021-22 season, Morrissey went out and over doubled that whole, recording 76 factors in 78 video games. The Jets knew that they had a superb two-way defenceman in Morrissey earlier than that season, however after the 2022-23 season, he was locked in as an elite primary defenceman. The expectations for Morrissey skyrocketed after his 76 level season, and he adopted it up with a 69 level season in 2023-24 and most not too long ago a 62 level season in 2024-25.

Josh Morrissey is one of some Jets gamers that you’ve got a sense can be a Jet for all times. Morrissey has performed in 662 NHL video games, scoring 80 objectives and 293 assists for 373 factors. Subsequent season Morrissey can be coming into 12 months 6 of his 8 12 months contract value $6.25 million per season. Defenceman typically don’t “peak” as early as forwards do of their careers, so Jets followers ought to be assured that there’s way more to come back from the 30-year outdated defenceman from Calgary, Alberta. Right here’s what I wish to see from Morrissey within the 2025-26 season.

Passable season: File one other 60+ level season and stay “elite”

My expectations for Josh Morrissey this upcoming season aren’t as clear as different Jets gamers, however that’s as a result of I largely simply anticipate the identical model of Morrissey as final season. Morrissey will proceed to play on the Jets prime blue line pairing with Dylan DeMelo, and he’ll proceed to be utilized in varied conditions such because the Jets prime powerplay unit and in 3 on 3 overtimes. The powerplay can be the place Morrissey will be capable to rack up an honest quantity of his factors, both by means of creating performs or by firing the puck previous the goalie from the purpose. Morrissey may have one other elite season developing, it’s only a matter of evaluating it to the final two seasons when it comes to his general efficiency.

Unhealthy season: Failure to achieve 50 factors and supply not as a lot versatility

When you may have a participant nearly as good as Morrissey, it’s troublesome to say what a “dangerous” season can be when it comes to his requirements. Morrissey’s offensive upside might have peaked within the 2022-23 season, however he ought to nonetheless be capable to attain at the least 50 factors no drawback. If by some means Morrissey turns into much less versatile or not as “helpful” to the workforce within the 2025-26 season, that may be the one means that I see him taking a step again.

Good season: 65+ season and cementing his title in prime 10 defenceman conversations

If Morrissey may file one other 65+ level season, his title ought to be in present prime 10 defenceman conversations. Some individuals have already got his title in that prestigious tier, however others are nonetheless underrating Morrissey. Jets gamers are likely to get much less love round social media since they’re a “smaller” market, so gamers like Morrissey need to be fairly spectacular to actually stand out. Once more, it’s troublesome to actually describe what a superb or dangerous season would love for Morrissey, however I might say a superb season would simply appear like a barely higher season than final 12 months. Mainly I’m saying he simply would want to go from being nice to “higher”.

Listed below are some common objectives that I wish to see from Josh Morrissey within the 2025-26 season:

Attain 60 factors on the season
Stand out because the Jets primary defenceman (getting extra recognition league large)
Proceed to enhance on his management abilities carrying the “A”
Develop his chemistry with Dylan DeMelo in a means that can enhance each of their video games

There’s not a lot else to debate when it comes to expectations and objectives for Morrissey, as I totally anticipate him to have the same season to 2024-25. Ever since his breakout season it’s been laborious to anticipate a lot much less of Morrissey, however Jets followers ought to stay assured that he’ll proceed to look near the participant he was just some seasons in the past. I’m excited to see what the upcoming season brings for Morrissey, and I’m hoping to see his title sneak into extra “prime 10 defencemen” lists by the top of the 2025-26 season.

PRESENTED BY PRAIRIE TOYOTA DEALERS 

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