Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Feb. 22

February 22, 2021 by

Mitch Kasprick is the “Motown Curmudgeon” aka “Motown Mitch”

Odds and Ends, Thoughts and Questions, from this past week in hockey –

Just so there’s no confusion when I’m spewing my bias, I am a fan of the Winnipeg Jets, Arizona Coyotes, Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg Ice, and all Team Canada Hockey teams.

I am NOT a fan of Gary Bettman or as I call him, Count Chocula.  I am a big believer in the 7Ps. You’ve been warned. 

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets had a real good week going 3-1-0 on their four-game road trip, splitting their two-game set with Edmonton and sweeping their two games versus Vancouver.  Their record is 11-6-1 overall for the season.

2. Jets:  Pierre-Luc Dubois finally got back into the lineup Sunday night and was a major impact with 2 goals and a helper including the OT winner.  Sunday night PLD officially became a Winnipeg Jets fan fave.  I’m happy for the Jets fans that didn’t know much about him.  This performance might help take the sting out of trading Patrik Laine.      

3. Jets:  I think most Jets fans would agree Neal Pionk really struggled in the bubble this past summer but he actually had a pretty good first season with the Winnipeg Jets and to this point his second season looks to be even better.  I’m still puzzled why Paul Maurice doesn’t have him quarterbacking the first unit powerplay though.  I think he is the better option over Josh Morrissey.  (see the poll question at #13)

4. Moose:  The Manitoba Moose finished their first week of play with a 2-2-0 record after splitting their four-game homestand with the Toronto Marlies.  It was good seeing prospects Cole Perfetti, Dylan Samberg, and Ville Heinola finally playing.  I had not seen Samberg play in over a year and I forgot what an underrated puck mover he is.    

5. Jets:  Like I mentioned last week, Nathan Beaulieu has officially become the fanbase’s new whipping boy but Nate Thompson is right behind him and he hasn’t really done anything wrong outside of the fact he is in the lineup over some fans favourites.  FYI, it’s not his fault.  

6. Jets:  I don’t think he has done this before but on Sunday night Paul Maurice did something I have wondered about for a few years.  Why don’t coaches start three forwards in overtime a lot more often?  He started Pierre-Luc Dubois, Mark Scheifele, and Blake Wheeler in OT vs Vancouver and Dubois popped the game winner 27 seconds later.  I don’t think this will be a regular thing but I liked it.      

7. Jets:  I am getting a little tired of hearing how bad the Winnipeg Jets analytics are because their underwhelming Corsi and Fenwick numbers can be very misleading.  The Jets aren’t a high volume shots and attempts team because they pass up shooting situations looking for a better play unlike other teams that are considered “possession teams” that fire the puck on net from all angles every chance they get.   A lot of these shots look good in the shot metrics but how many are actually good scoring chances?  For me shot volume is not possession, possessing the puck is possession.  Players like Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, KyleConnor, Nick Ehlers, Paul Stastny seldom ever think shot first.  They will carry the puck, cycle the puck, look for teammates, curl when crossing the blueline while players on other teams shoot on net (Evander Kane) as soon as they cross the blueline.  Watch the Jets on their zone entries and keep this in mind when they show the shot metrics in-between periods.  The metrics don’t always tell the true story and especially with this Jets team.  Take this from an old WHA Jets fan that watched that team score 5-6 goals a night they didn’t shoot a lot.  Their possession was actually possession, not shot volume, although on a lot of nights they had that too.     

8. Jets:  It’s time for Logan Stanley to get back into the lineup.  Tucker Poolman and Nathan Beaulieu aren’t good enough to be playing regularly over Stanley. 

9. Jets:  After looking a little sluggish early in the season, Blake Wheeler seems to have found his giddy-up once again.  It is quite obvious now that Wheeler was playing through something but the past couple of games he looks more like himself.  The criticism he is/was receiving was very unfair and especially when we don’t know the whole story.        

10. NHL: A huge congratulations to Winnipegger, Travis Zajac on his 1000th NHL game on Sunday afternoon, all with the New Jersey Devils.  Travis is one of my favourite Winnipeg hockey players going all the way back to his AAA Bantam days with the Winnipeg Hawks.  He was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 2004 in the first round, 20th overall and has put up pretty solid numbers over his NHL career with 197 goal and 337 assists totaling 534 points in the regular season and in 57 playoff games he has 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points. 

Embed from Getty Images

11. NHL:  PLEASE fix your officials.  In the Jets game last week versus Ottawa the two referees sucked on their whistles the whole game ignoring obvious infractions and in the Jets next game against Edmonton they were whistle happy and calling phantom penalties.  There is no consistency from game to game which really frustrates players and fans alike.  

12. NHL:  Key dates.

  • Mar. 12 – Players on one-year deals can sign extensions (usually Jan. 1)
  • Apr. 12 – Trade Deadline
  • May 8 – End of the regular season
  • May 11 – Playoffs begin
  • July 15 – The latest the Stanley Cup can be awarded
  • July 17 – Expansion draft protection lists tentatively due
  • July 21 – Expansion draft
  • July 23-24 – 2021 NHL Entry Draft
  • July 28 – Free agency opens

13. Jets: Poll Question:

Who would you prefer running the Winnipeg Jets #1 powerplay?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

14. NHL:  I’m sure by now everyone has an opinion about the eight hour weather delay at the NHL’s outdoor game in Lake Tahoe.  On Saturday, after finishing the first period the game had to be delayed because the clear skies and sunshine turned the ice into slush.  The panel and the announcers on the NBC broadcast asked more than once “how could the NHL have planned for this?”.  REALLY?  It never occurred to Gary Bettman and the NHL that the sun might magically come out in the middle of the day?  Didn’t this actually happen in Winnipeg during the Heritage Classic?  Sometimes “Count Chocula” just makes it too easy to to crap on him.

On a positive note, it sure was a magnificent setting.  Who needs fans?

Image

15. Jets:  Schedule

16. Jets:  I wish Jets fans would just pull for the players in the lineup instead of bitching about the players not in the lineup.  (see #5)   

17. Special Teams: Rule of thumb. Have the two red numbers (PK and PP) total at least 100% when added (as your minimum).  I also base the movement (up or down) on the % and not the NHL ranking.

These are the Winnipeg Jets rankings within the seven team Canadian Division.  Since all games played during the regular season are divisional the rest of the league’s numbers don’t really matter.

  • PP: 3rd at 22.80% up from 20.00% last week.
  • PK: 2nd at 80.40 down from 81.00% last week. 
  • FO: 5th at 48 .70 down from 49.20% last week.

18. Jets:  Jets fans are wondering who broke Josh Morrissey?  He has been good, bad, and indifferent all season.  He is definitely off. 

19. Goaltending:

  • Conner Hellebuyck:  8-5-1 … 2.64 GAA … .916 SV% 
  • Laurent Brossoit:  3-1-0 … 2.24 GAA … .935 SV%

20. NHL:  Why doesn’t the NHL include playoff games when talking about a player’s total games played?  (see #10)

*

In memory of my friend Darryl Manchulenko.

If you have any questions, please give me a shout. You can use the comment section or use the #ASKWHTPOD hashtag on Twitter.

If you like our new format, let us know in the comment section or hit me on Twitter at WpgSportsTalk or WpgHockTalk

If you are interested in writing for Winnipeg Sports Talk or if you know somebody interested, please contact us at:

[email protected]

We are looking for writers to cover the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, The Winnipeg ICE, Manitoba Bisons, Winnipeg AAA, MJHL, MMJHL, KIJHL, and Winnipeg High School or any sports team in town.

If you have any thoughts on any of these comments or questions, please let me know. We would love to hear your opinions.

Thanks, Mitch

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Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Feb. 15

February 15, 2021 by

Mitch Kasprick is the “Motown Curmudgeon” aka “Motown Mitch”

Odds and Ends, Thoughts and Questions, from this past week in hockey –

Just so there’s no confusion when I’m spewing my bias, I am a fan of the Winnipeg Jets, Arizona Coyotes, Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg Ice, and all Team Canada Hockey teams.

I am NOT a fan of Gary Bettman or as I call him, Count Chocula.  I am a big believer in the 7Ps. You’ve been warned.

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets had a terrible week going 1-2-0 in their three games but it was the way they lost and the points they pissed away … again.  The game versus Ottawa on Saturday had shades of the Edmonton loss three Sundays ago, once again losing with under two seconds left in the game and leaving a bitter taste in Jets fans mouths.  Their record is 8-5-1 overall for the season. 

2. Jets:  Pierre-Luc Dubois finally made his debut in a Jets jersey last week and was just starting to get his feet wet playing in two games when a lower body injury kept him out of Saturday’s game and leaving him doubtful for tonight’s game.  Winnipeg Jets fans are chomping at the bit to see the real PLD play and see how much he improves this team.       

3. Jets:  Tucker Poolman finally returned to the lineup after his bout with Covd-19 and looked pretty good but the puzzling thing is Paul Maurice dressed seven defencemen for his return game.  I guess it was just in case Poolman wasn’t up to speed or as a precaution but it left most observers shaking their heads.  If the coach didn’t think Poolman was ready to play then DON’T dress him.  All this did was mess up the forward lines.  Maurice gets a lot of criticism in this town and he brings an awful lot of it upon himself.  Sometimes he just can’t help himself.          

4. Moose:  The Manitoba Moose start their AHL season tonight and I can hardly wait to see Cole Perfetti, Ville Heinola, and Dylan Samberg play.  I bet Pascal Vincent can’t wipe the smile off his face.    

5. Jets:  Nathan Beaulieu has officially become the fanbase’s new whipping boy.  Like I said a couple of weeks ago he has been ok but his ceiling is adequate and that’s not good enough when there are better players waiting in the wings.  Move over Paul Maurice you have company.

6. Jets:  March 7, 2020 was the last time Dylan Samberg suited up for a meaningful hockey game so I can see why the Winnipeg Jets want to get him some playing time with the Manitoba Moose but the opinions are not the same when it comes to Ville Heinola.  Sending Heinola to the Moose has everybody and I mean everybody scratching their heads.  Heinola was an absolute stud at the World Juniors in Edmonton and in his only NHL game versus Ottawa (game 4) he played very well and complimented Josh Morrissey quite nicely.  It is also no coincidence that was Morrissey’s best game of the season.  Once again the Jets brain trust leaves Jets fans shaking their heads.    

7. Jets:  I feel like firing somebody, how about Charlie Huddy?   

8. NHL:  What’s up with Alex Galchenyuk?  He was drafted by Montreal Canadiens, 3rd overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and is now on his 6th NHL team.  When I watch him play I don’t see a bust but for whatever reason he can’t find a home.  

UPDATE:

You might not believe this but Alex Galchenyuk has been traded again before he even reported to Carolina (his 6th team).  Make the Toronto Maple Leafs team number seven.

9. Jets:  I’m not sure there is one Winnipeg Jets fan that would disagree with me when I say Connor Hellebuyck needs to stay in his f’n net.  He single handedly gave away the hockey game on Saturday against Ottawa by playing a puck he didn’t need to with a few seconds left in the game, confusing his defencemen and before you know it … BAM GAME OVER.   

10. Jets:  Kristian Vesalainen’s game is coming along quite nicely and he seems to be gaining a little bit of confidence.  I think he has a top-6 skillset and I can see him being there in a couple of seasons.

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11. NHL:  With the way Covid-19 is spreading its way through the US based NHL teams a Canadian team might win the Stanley Cup by default.               

12. NHL:  Key dates. 

  • Feb. 1 – Teams may start requesting players waive their NMC for the expansion draft
  • Feb. 11 – Deadline to sign Group II RFAs (usually December 1)
  • Mar. 12 – Players on one-year deals can sign extensions (usually Jan. 1)
  • Apr. 12 – Trade Deadline
  • May 8 – End of the regular season
  • May 11 – Playoffs begin
  • July 15 – The latest the Stanley Cup can be awarded
  • July 17 – Expansion draft protection lists tentatively due
  • July 21 – Expansion draft
  • July 23-24 – 2021 NHL Entry Draft
  • July 28 – Free agency opens

13. Jets:  The Jets just went through the softest part of their schedule and have a record of 8-5-1 and it could have and should have been 2-4 points better in my opinion.  Now they are going to have to play some good hockey to make up for those lost points.  They play two games in Edmonton and two games in Vancouver this week and I would like to see at least four more points in the standings this week. 

UPDATE:

The Winnipeg Jets started off their four-game roads trip with a wild 6-5 regulation win over the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night.   

14. Jets:  It’s amazing how fast Andrew Ladd fell of the map after he left the Winnipeg Jets as a UFA and signed with the New York Islanders.  In my opinion he was too a good a player to fall from grace as fast as he did.  Too bad, I always like him and his game.

15. Jets:  Schedule

16. Jets:  I love Paul Stastny’s game and I would love to see him re-sign here for a couple more years but not at his current ticket which is $6,500,000 per season.  I could live with that number over two seasons but could Stastny?  I doubt it, somebody will pay him when he becomes a UFA this summer.   

17. Special Teams: Rule of thumb. Have the two red numbers (PK and PP) total at least 100% when added (as your minimum).  I also base the movement (up or down) on the % and not the NHL ranking.

  • PP: 13th at 22.00% up from 20.00% last week.
  • PK: 14th at 81.10 down from 81.30% last week. 
  • FO: 18th at 49 .20 down from 49.70% last week.

These stats are put out by the NHL on their website but I’m not sure whether these overall rankings actually mean anything since teams are only playing games within their division.  This season I believe the stats accumulated are only comparable to the other teams in their division.  I would like to see how the Jets compare to the rest of the Scotia North Division.   

18. Jets: The Jets situational face-off wins are still very poor.  They rarely start the PP with the puck unless Paul Stastny takes the faceoff and they seem to lose every draw on the PK and get hemmed in their own zone for the whole two minutes.  Statistically their penalty kill numbers don’t look bad but that has a lot to do with their goaltending.      

19. Goaltending:

  • Conner Hellebuyck:  6-4-1 … 2.36 GAA … .921 SV% 
  • Laurent Brossoit:  2-1-0 … 2.98 GAA … .918 SV%

20. Jets:  My defence pairings.

Morrissey … DeMelo  

Forbort … Pionk

Heinola … Poolman 

Stanley

Does anybody have a problem with this?

*

In memory of my friend Darryl Manchulenko.

If you have any questions, please give me a shout. You can use the comment section or use the #ASKWHTPOD hashtag on Twitter.

If you like our new format, let us know in the comment section or hit me on Twitter at WpgSportsTalk or WpgHockTalk

If you are interested in writing for Winnipeg Sports Talk or if you know somebody interested, please contact us at:

[email protected]

We are looking for writers to cover the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, The Winnipeg ICE, Manitoba Bisons, Winnipeg AAA, MJHL, MMJHL, KIJHL, and Winnipeg High School or any sports team in town.

If you have any thoughts on any of these comments or questions, please let me know. We would love to hear your opinions.

Thanks, Mitch

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Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Feb. 8

February 8, 2021 by

Mitch Kasprick is the “Motown Curmudgeon” aka “Motown Mitch”

Odds and Ends, Thoughts and Questions, from this past week in hockey –

Just so there’s no confusion when I’m spewing my bias, I am a fan of the Winnipeg Jets, Arizona Coyotes, Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg Ice, and all Team Canada Hockey teams.

I am NOT a fan of Gary Bettman or as I call him, Count Chocula.  I am a big believer in the 7Ps. You’ve been warned.

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets had a great week taking 5 out of 6 points in their three games versus the Calgary Flames.  Their record is a tidy 7-3-1 overall for the season, good for 3rd place in the Scotia North Division.

2. Jets:  Tomorrow night is PLD’s debut in a Jets jersey against the Flames in Calgary.  I’m sure he will be chomping at the bit to impress his new teammates and try and help Jets fans move on from fan favourite, Patrik Laine.     

3. Jets:  I think it’s time to put Neal Pionk back on the first unit PP.  I’ve always been a huge Josh Morrissey supporter but his game is off and he looks really shaky quarterbacking the PP.        

4. Jets:  No offence to my American friends but I could really get used to these North Division games with only one anthem.

5. Jets:  Nathan Beaulieu, at times this season has been playing some unspectacular but steady defence for the Winnipeg Jets.  Nate’s signing wasn’t my favourite move Chevy made this offseason but I get why they signed him.  Paul Maurice trusts him and likes the fact that he can kill penalties and add a little bit of physicality to the back end.  So far he has done that but he is a depth guy and doesn’t need to be in the lineup every night.  My problem with NB is the more he plays the worse he gets and I  would like to see Ville Heinola and Dylan Samberg dress a little more and see more rotation in the bottom pairing.  Generally, this sorts itself out with injuries allowing some lineup changes but outside of Tucker Poolman (Covid) the back-end has been pretty healthy.  I don’t like young players on the sidelines not playing.  

6. Jets:  One of my biggest complaints about this Jets team is they don’t shoot enough and pass up too many shooting opportunities in prime scoring areas.  This team still loves looking for the pretty play.    

7. Jets:  Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers is turning into a solid 200 ft player and it really showed in the Jets 4-1 win versus Calgary on Thursday night.  Although he was held off the scoresheet he made two outstanding defensive plays that went under the radar but were very important in the Jets’ win.  Ehlers has come a long way defensively since his junior days in Halifax.   

8. Jets:  Mason Appleton’s play has really improved this season and especially the last week to ten days and I think his play in the Jets 4-1 win over Calgary on Thursday night was probably his best game in a Winnipeg uniform.      

9. Jets:  To most fans’ surprise, Logan Stanley is still hanging around and playing some pretty strong hockey in his d-zone.  He has made a lot of nice subtle plays that seem to almost go unnoticed just because of his long reach.  His play is definitely surprising a lot of people.     

10. Jets:  Josh Morrissey has 4 assists in 11 games and he is running the first unit PP while Neal Pionk has 8 assists in 11 games and he is running the second unit PP.  What is wrong with this picture?  (see #3)

Embed from Getty Images

11. NHL:  For me, faceoff percentage is the most useless stat the NHL tracks unless they post the faceoff percentage in each zone.  All faceoff wins aren’t equal and some are definitely more important than others in spite of what the analytics say.  A neutral zone faceoff loss isn’t as critical as a d-zone loss and especially when a team is on the PK.  It seems to me like the Jets lose a high percentage of faceoffs while on the PK and are under pressure right from the get-go.             

12. NHL:  Key dates. 

  • Feb. 1 – Teams may start requesting players waive their NMC for the expansion draft
  • Feb. 11 – Deadline to sign Group II RFAs (usually December 1)
  • Mar. 12 – Players on one-year deals can sign extensions (usually Jan. 1)
  • Apr. 12 – Trade Deadline
  • May 8 – End of the regular season
  • May 11 – Playoffs begin
  • July 15 – The latest the Stanley Cup can be awarded
  • July 17 – Expansion draft protection lists tentatively due
  • July 21 – Expansion draft
  • July 23-24 – 2021 NHL Entry Draft
  • July 28 – Free agency opens

13. Jets:  Adam Lowry is off to his best start offensively in a Jets uniform with 4 goals and 5 assists in 11 games and looks bigger, faster and stronger.  The Jets are going to have a few tough decisions when figuring out the protection list for the Seattle expansion draft.       

14. NHL:  The Tkachuk family tag line.

“Pissing off opponents since 1991.”

15. Jets:  Schedule

16. Jets:  I actually liked the Winnipeg Jets reverse retro jerseys.  I’m not sure I want to see them every night but 3-4 times a season is fine by me.  I like them wayyyy better than their Aviator jerseys.    

17. Special Teams: Rule of thumb. Have the two red numbers (PK and PP) total at least 100% when added (as your minimum).  I also base the movement (up or down) on the % and not the NHL ranking.

  • PP: 15th at 20.00% up from 19.40% last week.
  • PK: 12th at 81.30 up from 72.70% last week. 
  • FO: 18th at 49 .70 up from 49.70% last week. 

18. Jets:  I wonder where Sami Niku is now on the Jets defensive depth chart?  I like Niku but I think he is hooped now and especially with Tucker Poolman ready to return soon from his bout with Covid-19.    

19. Goaltending:

  • Conner Hellebuyck:  5-2-1 … 2.48 GAA … .913 SV% 
  • Laurent Brossoit:  2-1-0 … 2.98 GAA … .918 SV%

20. Jets:  Tomorrow night we are going to see something we haven’t seen in Winnipeg since the arrival of Jets 2.0.  The Jets are going to roll out four strong lines like we’ve never seen before.  It may take a few games for them to gel but it sure looks good on paper.  Here is a look at the projected forward lines for Tuesday’s game in Calgary.

Copp-Scheifele-Ehlers

Vesalainen-Stastny-Wheeler

Connor-Dubois-Lewis

Perreault-Lowry-Appleton

I would flip Trevor Lewis and Mason Appleton but it looks like Paul Maurice doesn’t want to split up the Lowry/Appleton tandem.           

*

In memory of my friend Darryl Manchulenko.

If you have any questions, please give me a shout. You can use the comment section or use the #ASKWHTPOD hashtag on Twitter.

If you like our new format, let us know in the comment section or hit me on Twitter at WpgSportsTalk or WpgHockTalk

If you are interested in writing for Winnipeg Sports Talk or if you know somebody interested, please contact us at:

[email protected]

We are looking for writers to cover the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, The Winnipeg ICE, Manitoba Bisons, Winnipeg AAA, MJHL, MMJHL, KIJHL, and Winnipeg High School or any sports team in town.

If you have any thoughts on any of these comments or questions, please let me know. We would love to hear your opinions.

Thanks, Mitch

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Filed Under: Featured, Random Thoughts Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Feb. 1

February 1, 2021 by

Mitch Kasprick is the “Motown Curmudgeon” aka “Motown Mitch”

Odds and Ends, Thoughts and Questions, from this past week in hockey –

Just so there’s no confusion when I’m spewing my bias, I am a fan of the Winnipeg Jets, Arizona Coyotes, Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg Ice, and all Team Canada Hockey teams.

I am NOT a fan of Gary Bettman or as I call him, Count Chocula.  I am a big believer in the 7Ps. You’ve been warned.

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets had a quiet week and split the two games they played and now have an overall record of 5-3-0 for the season.  This week should be fun though

2. Jets:  Now that the “the trade” is behind us the next topic of discussion is what will the new lines look like?  I wouldn’t mind seeing PLD centering the 3rd line to get his feet wet as long as they give him a decent winger/wingers.  Maybe Vesalainen, MP, Harkins or drop Wheeler down with him.  That would put three strong pairs of forwards together.  

3. Jets:  A lot of Jets fans are upset that Ville Heinola hasn’t dressed since the Ottawa game two weeks ago and they are taking their frustration out on Logan Stanley.  Stanley has played pretty well in my opinion and he is not the problem right now.  There is a LD struggling right now and we all know who it is.      

4. Jets:  The consensus from last weeks two poll questions were that considering the circumstances, Kevin Cheveldayoff did a pretty good job and the Jets got a very good player, Pierre-Luc Dubois in return for Patrik Laine AND most fans didn’t have very high expectations for Logan Stanley but have been pleasantly surprised by his play so far.

5. Jets:  Is it just me or does Helle seem a little off so far this season?   

6. Jets:  Those that know me are going to find this next comment quite amusing.  Since Kyle Connor has actually outscored Patrik Laine in the past two seasons and actually has more total goals over the past three seasons, how come KC isn’t considered a “generational scorer?”   

7. Jets:  Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers sure has been getting a lot of love in Jetsville lately.  Welcome to the party, but what took you so long?  

8. Jets:  Watching Kyle Connor and his linemates trying to play defence right now is like watching a dog trying to hump a football.  It is no wonder that Paul Maurice was trying out different line combos at Sunday morning’s practice.    

9. Jets:  It’s time for a little more Ville Heinola Mr. Maurice.  Please and thanks.  (see #3)

Embed from Getty Images

10. Jets:  Although it is still very early in the season the Winnipeg Jets are heading into an extremely important stretch where they play the Calgary Flames four games in a row with the first three being on home ice.  This is the first of many critical stretches coming up this season.  

11. Jets:  I’m not big on making excuses for the Winnipeg Jets and their players but I think there are a few players not up to snuff yet and maybe the short training camp and lack of pre-season games have hurt some.  Yes, it has been the same for every team but all players are built differently.  We are now at the nine-game mark and I think the grace period should be coming to an end, no more excuses. 

12. NHL:  Key dates. 

  • Feb. 1 – Teams may start requesting players waive their NMC for the expansion draft
  • Feb. 11 – Deadline to sign Group II RFAs (usually December 1)
  • Mar. 12 – Players on one-year deals can sign extensions (usually Jan. 1)
  • Apr. 12 – Trade Deadline
  • May 8 – End of the regular season
  • May 11 – Playoffs begin
  • July 15 – The latest the Stanley Cup can be awarded
  • July 17 – Expansion draft protection lists tentatively due
  • July 21 – Expansion draft
  • July 23-24 – 2021 NHL Entry Draft
  • July 28 – Free agency opens

13. Pet peeve:  Games in Winnipeg that start at 9 pm to cater to the eastern markets but especially the game on Saturday night versus the Canucks.  Nobody out east could give a rats ass about the Canucks/Jets game so why not just start it at the regular time.  It turned out to be a nice comfy 7 pm start for Vancouver.  Nice home-ice advantage NHL. 

14. NHL:  A lot of fans are really enjoying these 2 and 3 game series versus the same teams.  The “dislike” level really ramps up in the second or third game.   

15. Jets:  Schedule

16. Jets:  We are eight games into the season and “Jets Twitter” is in rare form.  I love the Twitter GMs and coaches losing their minds over things they have no control of.  Sometimes it is actually more fun than the games.  

17. Special Teams: Rule of thumb. Have the two red numbers (PK and PP) total at least 100% when added (as your minimum).  I also base the movement (up or down) on the % and not the NHL ranking.

  • PP: 16th at 19.40% down from 20.00% last week.
  • PK: 20th at 72.70 down from 76.50% last week. 
  • FO: 21 st at 49 .70 up from 48.90% last week. 

18. NHL:  With the current quarantine rules in effect the US-based teams are going to have quite an advantage come the April 12 trade deadline.  The current 14-day quarantine time is going to make it tough trading with American teams and I doubt the Canadian teams will be willing to help their counterparts unless they are completely out of the playoff hunt.   

19. Goaltending:

  • Conner Hellebuyck: 4-2-0 … 2.67 GAA … .910 SV% 
  • Laurent Brossoit: 1-1-0 … 3.46 GAA … .911 SV%

20. Jets:  Would you be surprised if I told you Logan Stanley leads the Jets defencemen with 15 shots on goal?  He is and I was.   

*

In memory of my friend Darryl Manchulenko.

If you have any questions, please give me a shout. You can use the comment section or use the #ASKWHTPOD hashtag on Twitter.

If you like our new format, let us know in the comment section or hit me on Twitter at WpgSportsTalk or WpgHockTalk

If you are interested in writing for Winnipeg Sports Talk or if you know somebody interested, please contact us at:

[email protected]

We are looking for writers to cover the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, The Winnipeg ICE, Manitoba Bisons, Winnipeg AAA, MJHL, MMJHL, KIJHL, and Winnipeg High School or any sports team in town.

If you have any thoughts on any of these comments or questions, please let me know. We would love to hear your opinions.

Thanks, Mitch

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Filed Under: Featured, Random Thoughts Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Jan. 25

January 25, 2021 by

Mitch Kasprick is the “Motown Curmudgeon” aka “Motown Mitch”

Odds and Ends, Thoughts and Questions, from this past week in hockey –

Just so there’s no confusion when I’m spewing my bias, I am a fan of the Winnipeg Jets, Arizona Coyotes, Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg Ice, and all Team Canada Hockey teams.

I am NOT a fan of Gary Bettman or as I call him, Count Chocula.  I am a big believer in the 7Ps. You’ve been warned. 

This week’s Random Thoughts brought to you by the good folks at onlinecasinosnoop.com. 

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets just finished their busiest week of the season playing five games, winning three and losing two.  Their record sits at 4-2-0 for the season.  I think this is an acceptable start to the season and especially with Laine and DeMelo missing a few games. 

2. Jets:  After months of rumours and speculation the Winnipeg Jets have traded sniper, Patrik Laine.  Laine along with Jack Roslovic are on their way to Columbus for center Pierre-Luc Dubois and a 2022 third-round draft pick.  The Jets’ quest for a top center is finally over but it cost them one of the NHL’s top snipers.  This is a trade that will probably end up benefitting both teams and all the players involved. 

3. Jets:  There were a lot of Jets fans that thought Chevy gave up too much to acquire Pierre-Luc Dubois but 22-year-old, top-six centers are rarely ever available and if they are every NHL team would be in competition for that player.  I can be critical of Kevin Cheveldayoff at times but I must commend him for having the kohones to make a deal like this happen and especially when he knows how unpopular this trade would be with Winnipeg’s fanbase.       

4. Jets:  After checking the stats page I found it hard to believe that Paul Stastny had zero points in his first four games.  I thought he had played quite well but he got off the schneid Saturday night with a goal and 2 assists.  I wonder if Stastny will move to the wing or center the 3rd line after PLD arrives. 

5. Jets:  I am really sad to see Patrik Laine leave and I can’t help but remember how happy I was when the Winnipeg Jets selected him with that second overall pick.  Laine was far from a perfect player but his game was evolving and I just loved watching him rip those lasers past goalies.  I will never forget his 5-goal game in St. Louis and his OT winner at home vs Toronto.  He will be missed.   

Poll Question:  You can select up to three answers.

Now that you have had a couple days to let the "big trade" marinate, what are your thoughts?

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6. Jets:  Now on to Jack Roslovic.  Where do I start?  There is nothing that grinds my gears more than whinny little self-entitled bitches like Jack Roslovic.  I can never blame a player for wanting a larger role on a team and especially IF they deserve it but in Jacko’s case, he deserved sweet “you know what” all.  He was not now or ever a top-six forward on this Winnipeg Jets team.  He did get second unit PP duty and was always the first one elevated in the lineup if there was an injury, so in my opinion, he had NOTHING to bitch about.  Jack Roslovic is a player that rode the coat-tails of Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk in becoming a first-round selection and somehow thought he was entitled.  Sorry Jacko but piss off and don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out.  Enjoy Columbus and Tort’s doghouse.     

7. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets may have the most underrated stud on their team and the best-kept secret in the NHL.  Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers has skill, a good shot, speed to burn, and is one of the best zone-entry players in the league.  He is a line driver and he makes everybody that plays with him better.  That is the true measure of a star player. 

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8. Jets:  It was nice to see Dylan DeMelo playing defence again this weekend.  He was a little rusty but the Jets are a much better team with him in their lineup.   

9. Jets:  It’s cliche time.  I wonder if in hindsight Patrik Laine’s trade request might become a case of be careful what you wish for because it may come true?  The grass isn’t always greener on the other side?  John Tortorella is not the easiest coach to play for.

10. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets received a little bit of criticism for trading up to select Logan Stanley in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and the Jets defenceman finally made his NHL debut this past week in Ottawa.  I wasn’t expecting much but I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised.  He made a lot of nice simple plays, some very nice stretch passes and seemed to move a lot better than I remember.  I’m not quite sure after a handful of games I’m ready to anoint him as a bonafide starter but he is much closer than I anticipated.  It has been reported he has been working hard on improving all aspects of his game and it looks like his hard work is paying off.  I think all Winnipeg Jets fans would like to see him succeed.  In my opinion, Logan Stanley has worked his way into the Jets top-8-9 on the depth chart and you couldn’t say that last year and that defence corp was much weaker.  Morrissey, DeMelo, Pionk, Forbort, Heinola, Samberg, Beaulieu, Poolman and Stanley are much better than the dog’s breakfast we watched last year.  I forgot to mention Niku.        

What were your thoughts on Logan Stanley's first week in the NHL?

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11. Jets:  Ville Heinola made his 2021 debut last week in Ottawa and for the most part looked smooth as silk.  I have never seen a player his age have so much poise.  He has top-four blueliner written all over him.   

12. NHL:  Key dates. 

  • Feb. 1 – Teams may start requesting players waive their NMC for the expansion draft
  • Feb. 11 – Deadline to sign Group II RFAs (usually December 1)
  • Mar. 12 – Players on one-year deals can sign extensions (usually Jan. 1)
  • Apr. 12 – Trade Deadline
  • May 8 – End of the regular season
  • May 11 – Playoffs begin
  • July 15 – The latest the Stanley Cup can be awarded
  • July 17 – Expansion draft protection lists tentatively due
  • July 21 – Expansion draft
  • July 23-24 – 2021 NHL Entry Draft
  • July 28 – Free agency opens

13. Pet peeve:  Fans that blame Paul Maurice for Jack Roslovic’s holdout and ultimately his trade demand.  I would like to know what Maurice did wrong?  I’m so tired of this narrative that he held Roslovic back.  Jacko thinks he is a top-six forward but not on this Jets team and not on the majority of others in this league.  

14. Jets:  I wonder how long it will take for Patrik Laine to realize how talented his former teammates were?  

15. Jets:  Schedule

16. Jets:  Would it be a stretch to say that early on, Derek Forbort has been the Winnipeg Jets biggest surprise and probably the Jets most consistent defenceman?  Not bad for a late free-agent signing.   

17. Special Teams: Rule of thumb. Have the two red numbers (PK and PP) total at least 100% when added. (as your minimum) I also base the movement (up or down) on the % and not the NHL ranking.

  • PP: 18th at 20.00% 
  • PK: 17th at 76.50% 
  • FO: 20th at 48.90% 

18. Jets:  I wonder when we will see Dylan Samberg make his NHL debut?  As of right now, he is on the taxi squad but I wonder if he is destined for the Manitoba Moose?  

19. Goaltending:

  • Conner Hellebuyck: 3-1-0 … 2.25 GAA … .920 SV% 
  • Laurent Brossoit: 1-1-0 … 3.46 GAA … .911 SV%

20. Jets:  For those Winnipeg Jets fans that hate the Patrik Laine trade just pretend that the draft lottery and the last four years were a dream and the Winnipeg Jets actually drew the 3rd ping-pong ball and not the second ping-pong ball.

*

In memory of my friend Darryl Manchulenko.

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Thanks, Mitch

 

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