Winnipeg Jets Select Logan Stanley #18 Overall

With the eighteenth pick in the 2016 NHL Draft the Winnipeg Jets have selected Logan Stanley from the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL

About Logan Stanley

Logan Stanley is 6 foot 7 and 220 pounds. What’s even more impressive is the fact that he’s a very effective player even though he’s still getting used to his size. He’s drawn comparisons to his now fellow Jet defenseman Tyler Myers in the past, although his offensive ability isn’t quite up to that same level yet. Stanley has been consistent from a game-to-game basis which is important for teams when drafting players.

Stanley already has an NHL-caliber frame, and if he continues to work on his offensive ability and foot-speed, he should pan out to be a very effective defenseman in the NHL one day.

How This Affects The Winnipeg Jets Plans

The Winnipeg Jets drafted Patrik Laine with the 2nd overall draft pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. In addition to players like Nikolaj Ehlers, Jacob Trouba, and Mark Scheifele, the Winnipeg Jets have one of the deepest prospect pools in the entire NHL. Prior to the selection of Laine, they already had Kyle Connor, Connor Hellebuyck, Marko Dano, Josh Morrissey, and Nicolas Petan among others in their system. The future looks very bright for Winnipeg who arguably didn’t need a second selection in this draft, but they must have seen Stanley as worth the draft stock given the fact that they traded up with the Flyers to acquire the 18th overall selection.

Due to the uncertainty of Jacob Trouba’s future within the Winnipeg organization, Stanley could be called upon sooner rather than later if the Jets ultimately deem him ready, and their situation dire enough. It isn’t likely that Stanley plays in the NHL this year, but the need for a big, sturdy defenseman could be at an all-time high in Winnipeg following this off-season, and Stanley could step in sooner than he would have otherwise.