Winnipeg Jets opt for center Chaz Lucius in first round of NHL Draft
WINNIPEG, M.B. – The Winnipeg Jets selected Chaz Lucius with the No. 18 pick of the NHL Entry Draft. The Grant, Minn. native, who has been playing for the United States National Development Team, is committed to playing for the University of Minnesota for at least one season before joining the Jets.
Widely considered one of the best offensive talents in the draft, the Jets’ selection of Lucius is being met with mixed reviews. No one doubts Lucius’ obvious scoring prowess, but the Jets have glaring needs on the defensive side of the puck and Lucius does have a recent history of injury. There were four defensemen picked after Lucius in the first round.
Winnipeg fans expect the Jets to be aggressive not only in the draft but also in the trade market; however, the Jets stayed pat while Columbus, Carolina, Buffalo, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Vancouver are just some of the teams that have actively traded personnel. The Jets did give up right-winger Mason Appleton in the expansion draft to new NHL franchise Seattle Kraken.
In Lucius, the Jets are getting a prolific scorer. In 12 games with the USNDT, Lucius tallied 13 goals and 20 total points. In his last two seasons combined in the US program, he totaled 70 points in only 58 games.
The Jets open their 2021-22 NHL season, without Lucius, on Oct. 14 at the Anaheim Ducks.
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