Two World Junior stars sent back to junior

This just in, the Winnipeg Jets have demoted players Chaz Lucius and Brad Lambert to their respective WHL clubs. Lambert has been assigned to the Seattle Thunderbirds, while Lucius has been assigned to the Portland Winterhawks.

Check it out:

Lambert has a VERY underwhelming performance for Finland at the 2023 World Junior Championships, putting up just one goal in five games. In fact Lambert, who was selected by the Jets 30th overall at this past summer's 2022 NHL Entry Draft, has struggled at just about every level so far this season. Personally, I was expecting him to be one of the stars of the World Juniors. Once seen as a sure-fire, can't-miss, blue chip prospect, Lambert's stock has fallen. Personally, I think it's a smart move by the Jets to send him to the WHL so he can regain his confidence a bit. He put up just two goals and three points in 14 games with the Jets' AHL affiliate Manitoba Moose this season, maybe proving that he's not yet ready for the North-American style professional game. The native of Lahti, Finland played the previous three seasons in the Finnish SM-liiga.

As for Lucius, well... he had a much different World Juniors experience than Lambert.

The 18th overall selection in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft put up five goals and seven points in seven games for USA at the tournament and none of them were as big the bronze medal winning goal against Sweden in overtime:

The 19 year old had two goals and five points in 12 games with the Moose this season but, like Lambert hadn't played an NHL game with the Jets this season. He previously starred with the University of Minnesota last season, so this will be the American's first taste of Canadian major-junior hockey.

Again, I think it's a wise choice by the Jets to have both of these young men get some experience at the junior level. There's no shame in playing in the WHL at 19 years old, even when others in your peer group are having success at the NHL level. Everyone matures both physically and emotionally at their own rate and I think the Jets are making a smart decision for both of these players' development.