Winnipeg Jets

[Oilers442]

Winnipeg Jets

 

Long time fans will no doubt remember NHL 94 as one of the last representations of the original incarnation of the Winnipeg Jets before the team's departure to Phoenix, Arizona in the mid 1990s. I remember discovering ZSNES in 2006 and playing NHL 94 with the Jets and wondering what it would be like if they never left the NHL and if perhaps they'd ever return someday. I also remember back then several things about the team standing out immediately on NHL 94 and which would later become even more apparent over thousands of games played online from late 2010 and beyond. Though not always considered a top team on SNES, the Jets indeed have enough firepower and top end skill to compete against all comers and emerge victorious.

 

Forwards

 

Zhamnov-Selanne-Steen

 

A pretty straightforward line with Teemu Selanne at Center and Alexei Zhamnov & Thomas Steen at either Wing depending on user preference. Selanne is one of the elite forwards in NHL 94 and the traits of him in his 1992-93 trailblazing 76 goal rookie campaign are captured in full force on the SNES. Whether it's slicing through defenses with elite speed and deking, making crisp passes to his teammates, or lighting the lamp with highly accurate One Timers, Slapshots, or swift breakaway moves, Winnipeg's offense simply begins and ends with Teemu Selanne. The only knock on Selanne is a lighter weight of 188 lbs that can limit his effectiveness in some situations against heavier players. However, his overall skills and abilities on the offensive side of things far outweigh any minor defensive negatives that may occasionally (moreover rarely) come up.

 

Alexei Zhamnov and Thomas Steen both weigh in at 204 lbs and contribute to the team in a more two-way capacity. Their weight allows them to withstand a little more abuse from opposing players and also make some crucial hits and checks to cause turnovers. However, neither player possesses elite speed or shot ratings that would make them the most ideal complimentary attackers to Selanne. In the end, both players are above average and can contribute positively for the Jets with adequate deking and passing, but neither will ever be mistaken for having game breaking abilities or the will to take over games singlehandedly like Selanne.

 

The Jets bench options are somewhat limited but the best of these is easily Evgeny Davydov. Davy is consistently a faster skater than Zhamnov/Steen and pairs better with Selanne in terms of game pace and rushing the puck up the ice. Davydov's shot ratings are also above average which can make him a decent offensive option on the Wing. Where his weakness lies is in his weight and defensive ability. At 188 lbs and with only average defensive ratings, Davydov can give up more for the Jets defensively than he is able to contribute to the attack and this is a major argument in favor of leaving him as a bench option for injury situations or if Zhamnov/Steen have no zip or are bobbling passes.

 

Defense

 

Numminen-Housley

 

Another straightforward decision but only due to this being one of the better overall Defense pairings in the game and one that somewhat breaks the mold of what I typically look for. Teppo Numminen enjoyed a very long and solid NHL career and while he skates in the large shadow of Phil Housley with the Jets, he is a rock solid #2 D-Man for several reasons. At 196 lbs, Numminen may be mistaken by some as an undersized defender unable to handle some of the league's more hefty and bruising opposition. However, his strong defensive awareness and solid skating & puckhandling make him consistent on the breakout and the Jets overall transition game. In his own end, he is effective with his positioning and is physical enough, despite his weight, to make some timely hits, create turnovers, and restart the Jets attack at a moment's notice. I've lost count over the years of the number of times I've seen him make a well timed check and cause a turnover that made a huge difference in a game.

 

Not much can be said about Phil Housley that isn't already well known by the NHL 94 community. Housley also enjoyed a long NHL career but was much more known for his swift skating and reputation as a great offensive D-Man. His real life abilities were represented very well in NHL 94 as he is fast, agile, and an overall dangerous player in the right hands. Housley is one of the few D-Men in the game where I believe that rushing the puck up ice with him can be an advantage in some situations. His ability to turn on a dime, move quickly, and deke and dangle at will can give fits to opposing defenses. Most importantly, his ability to draw attention can also make Selanne that much more dangerous at crucial points in the course of a game. His defensive awareness, while average, puts him in the right position often enough to not give up too much in his own end. But ultimately, his offensive contributions will almost always be enough to counteract anything he may give up to the opposition 

 

On the bench, Sergei Bautin and Fredrik Olausson are both solid options at defense and are generally reliable when they need to enter in PK or Injury situations. I've seen some coaches even start Olausson over Numminen which I believe is solid logic based on Olausson's heavier 212 lb frame and slightly higher physicality. Olausson has enough puck handling skills to maintain the Jets transition game but his somewhat decreased mobility can negatively affect his ability to skate the puck out of trouble situations compared to Numminen. Olausson also has only average defensive awareness and doesn't necessarily make enough crucial game changing plays in his own end in comparison to Numminen. This is ultimately why I would keep Freddy as a sub despite similar overall ratings and a heavier weight (which would normally sway my decision in favor of the heavier player). I think that speaks more to Numminen's ability though rather than Olausson's inability (for lack of a better term) and so I maintain that Olausson is a decent option and that there is a decent justification for inserting into the lineup depending on user preferences.

 

Conclusion

 

The Winnipeg Jets would eventually return to the NHL in 2011 but their NHL 94 counterpart brings back many great memories and vibes of the original team. And when you have elite stars such as Selanne & Housley, and solid contributers in Numminen, Zhamnov, and Steen, you have a recipe for a good team and one that can be a winner in the hands of a skilled coach. As stated before, Selanne and Housley are the stars of the show and their talents alone can make the Jets a force to be reckoned with. If it's any indication, any time I'd be playing online exhibition games over the years and would lose a few in a row or just feel like I was struggling, I'd generally revert back to the Jets when I felt I 'needed' a win or to re-establish a flow or comfort within the game. I believe that to be a positive measure of the Jets overall makeup and their ability to make a player feel mostly relaxed and free in practically all game situations.

[kidswasted]

Nice! I’m glad these are back! Excellent writeup. 

[clockwise]

I'll offer a place holder if / when AJ chimes in... I had the Jet's in the last classic season for Genesis and SNES and I did phenomenally well - don't bother to check the standings - I swear. As such, I am qualified.

Analysis:

• Davydov is better than Zhamnov. Davydov has double 'v's. Zhamnov. Has one 'v'. V's are for very good. Hence, Davydov is very, very good and has a better shot and takes some pressure off of Teemu.
• You can let off some Steen, and I sure do. As in, "let's leave Steen off the top line," again for Davydov; he's in every way better than Steen. If I had to vote in an election and Steen was on the ballot, I would write in DaVydoV.
• Luciano Borsato has ties. What kind you ask? IDK exactly but you should buy a pint of Borsato's Gelato so nobody get's hurt. In SEGA, he is a fierce weight bug threat and is the resident hit-man for the Jets. No, 'v's but three 'o's. As in 'o' s**t here he come with a weight-bug-body-check to you, through the boards.
• Phil Housekey unlocks offense from the blue line. He is a one-trick pony and is meant for fanciful dipsy doodles so that Teemu and Davydov can get open. He's a 4th forward out there. Phil doesn't play defense; nobody got time for that, if you're Phil, that is.
• Teppo, or as Jerry Seinfeld says, "Numminen," is an all around solid, serviceable rear-guard. He is a Finnish legend, like Teemu, and before you body check someone head-first into the boards, it's appropriate to yell, "Finnish him!". Also, I remember Chaos saying something about countrymen get a happy bonus if they're on the ice together. Or it could'a be someone else, I don't know. Fact is, Teemu just feels better with Teppo out there since they're both Finnish, and as we know, we gotta keep Teemu happy. As Teemu goes, so do the Jets.