Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jacob Trouba wanted to play hockey. He wanted to play lots of hockey, when he wanted, and where he wanted. If the Winnipeg Jets had known how good Trouba was going to play this season, he could’ve gotten everything he wanted, and for the price he wanted to be payed. Trouba’s solid play in all three-zones of the ice, especially defensive, and neutral zones, leads us to wonder who’s the better player to have in certain s
ituations: Dustin Byfuglien, or Jacob Trouba.
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Down One Goal, Five Minutes Left
Although both players only have one goal a peice, Trouba’s goals-per-game is much higher, as he’s played nearly half the games due to his early season holdout. If we look at career numbers though, Byfuglien has the clear edge offensively. He has three 20-goal seasons to his name, and although all three were when he played as a forward, his experience of scoring goals is position-less. His shot from the point is one of the heaviest in the league, and when’s he’s on the ice beside Laine he’s perceived as an underrated shooter. He takes a mile more chances than Trouba does, which is what a team needs in this do-or-die situation. When time is dwindling, and a goal needs to be scored, the player who can create more Grade-A scoring opportunities is going to be the more effective one. Trouba just hasn’t found his offensive groove yet.
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Up One Goal, Five Minutes Left
If a lead needs to be protected, it’s quite simple who needs to be on the ice. The players who are least likely to be scored on. Both players have a similar plus-minus this season, Byfuglien a minus two, while Trouba is just a minus one. Last season Trouba had another slight edge, as he measured at a plus ten compared to Byfuglien’s plus four. Both are quite impressive considering the Jets were a team far outside a playoff race. Trouba has been able to play with Tobias Enstrom for much of the season, so his partner may be attributing to his numbers more than Josh Morrissey is on Dustin Byfuglien. Trouba is the more consistent player, while Byfuglien is more shifty, looking for a big play, not just one to break up a rush. It’s come to a point where Trouba is much more engaged in the defensive end, and if the Jets mindset is clearly on defending their one-goal lead, and not making it two, Jacob Trouba is the man.
Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports – Dustin Byfuglien and the Winnipeg Jets face the St. Louis Blues
First Shift
Who should be playing the first shift of games has always been a grey area. Should it be the rough, and tough guys? The most skilled players? The fastest players to set the pace of the game? Byfuglien fits the bill on all three of those criteria, as he’s the more explosive player, who can get energy into your team before the next few lines roll out. Byfuglien has the better chance than Trouba of getting possesion of the puck, and on the first shift already getting a scoring chance. Let Dustin set the pace of the game.
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Sudden-Death Overtime
Regular Season – 3-on-3
In Regular Season overtime, it’s all about puck possession within your three-man unit, along with speed and crispy passes to sink the other teams night. Regular Season overtime is when risks can be taken, you’ve already earned a point. Although Byfuglien came out early and said he hates 3-on-3 overtime, his electrifying play serves the Winnipeg Jets the best chance to win if he’s on the ice.
Playoffs – Sudden Death 5-on-5
Playoff hockey couldn’t be described a better than a nail-biting overtime game, that will determine the result of a series, or even a Stanley Cup. Of course, if a Stanley Cup is on the line, Byfuglien gives the Winnipeg Jets a better chance of winning, but in a defensive battle Jacob Trouba is the better shutdown option to save a game.
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Final Verdict
Jacob Trouba has heavily improved from his game since last season, and has put himself in the same breath as Dustin Byfuglien, but ultimately the latter is an irreplaceable piece, while there’s multiple Jacob Trouba-esce players in the league. Byfuglien gets paid five million dollars more than Trouba, so he better be the Jets best defensman for now.
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