Can Grant Clitsome crack the Winnipeg Jets Top 6?

That would appear to be a valid question for Jets fans as the native of Gloucester, Ontario still cannot seem to crack the Winnipeg roster.  He hasn’t played a regular season game for the Jets since a contest on December 17, 2013 at Buffalo.  Back surgery on January 17, 2014 ended his 2013-14 season. He played in every exhibition game this pre-season with the exception of game 1 against Minnesota at the MTS Centre.

Today following practice Jets coach Paul Maurice was asked what Grant Clitsome could do to crack the top 6 in the lineup and he said “he’s gotta practice as hard as he possibly can and force one of those guys out”.  When asked if Clitsome had not done that to this point coach Maurice said “…. his exhibition games didn’t leave us to believe he was in the top 6”.

Remember the Jets signed Grant Clitsome to be in this lineup giving him a three year, 6.2 million dollar deal back in 2013.  Richard did analysis on that contract and showed that it was approximately a number four defenceman pay scale and it is likely disconcerting for the team that he is now unable to crack their top 6.