The Winnipeg Jets are almost on pace to reach their point total from 2018-19 and a lot of their success this season comes from defenceman Josh Morrissey.
The former first-round pick has 53 points in 52 games played this season, already setting a career-high in assists and points with 30 games still to be played this year. Just two goals shy of reaching his career-high, his offensive surge this season has been a key component of the Jets’ success.
Winnipeg (32-19-1) is currently one point behind the Dallas Stars (28-13-10) in the Western Conference standings and is looking to surpass the 90-point mark on the season for the fourth time since returning to the league in 2011.
D-man in charge
On the way to their first 90+ point season in 2014-15, Jets former alternate captain Dustin Byfuglien was fifth in team scoring with 45 points in 69 games, making him the team’s top scoring defenceman by 22 points.
The year prior was Byfuglien’s best offensive season of his career when he scored 56 points in 78 games, was third in team scoring, and was arguably the team’s most valuable player throughout the 2013-14 season.
Morrissey was the 13th overall pick that season and is now just three points shy of matching Byfuglien’s best offensive seasons with the Jets, making the most of his opportunity to fill the skates of one of the team’s most prolific point getters.
History in the making
Making his NHL debut in a 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens during the 2015-16 season, Morrissey was held pointless in that, his one and only game that season, while Byfuglien supplied the lone assist on Mark Scheifele’s empty net goal in the win.
During the following 2016-17 season, Morrissey played a full 82 game season, accumulating 20 points (6 goals, 14 assists) and 38 penalty minutes – third most of his career.
That same season, Byfuglien scored 52 points in 80 games, the fifth and final 50+ point season of his illustrious 14-year career.
Although not an official passing of the torch, the resemblance of Byfuglien’s on-ice abilities in Morrissey’s game is seen on a nightly basis.
The evidence
Dustin Byfuglien 2013-14 highlights: (courtesy of @winnipegjets1097)
Josh Morrissey recent highlights: (courtesy of @thehockeypdocast612)
Although they’re different players in size and stature, their importance to the success of their team is the same.
Big hits, timely goals, and the ability to change a game on a whim, Morrissey can hopefully continue his offensive dominance throughout the Jets’ remaining games and throughout a successful playoff run.
The Jets resume their season on Saturday, February 11, when they host the Chicago Blackhawks (15-29-4) at MTS Centre.