Jacob Trouba as the 6th D man?

So as of this morning, Jacob Trouba would appear to have made the Winnipeg Jets roster. That in spite the fact that provided health is on their side, the highest Trouba can be expected to play is 6th in the batting order. Does playing the 6th or 7th D man role make sense when he could be the #1 D man in St. John's? I'd say no...

Lack of center depth = lack of playoff spot

 

Courtesy the Hockey Fanatic

 

Take your favourite NHL team, take ANY NHL team and remove the top two centers. OK, now, what are that teams chances of winning? Not very good. PERIOD. Now, take the Edmonton Oilers as exhibit A of a team with this very problem. Add in that they have finished 30, 30, 29, and 24th in the last four years and you compound the issue. 

Why the NHL on ice product is wilting

 

 

There are several reasons why the NHL is suffering from a drop off in offensive production. This is not a "this year" problem, it actually is something that started in the early 1990's and has been growing slowly but surely every season. If you look at the stats from year to year, you will not see a steady path or reduction EVERY year but you can see the obvious trend. So why has this happened? There are several factors: