October 19 Random Thoughts on Jets Talk

Please join host Harley Friesen and Winnipeg Hockey Talk owner/writer Mitch Kasprick for a more in-depth discussion of these Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, and the National Hockey League on our new WHT YouTube channel here >>>> https://www.youtube.com/@WpgHockTalk  LIVE every Monday at 7:00 pm.  

This week’s YouTube show

Join Harley and Mitch on YouTube for a look at the opening night roster and viewer questions.

Here >>> https://www.youtube.com/@WpgHockTalk

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets played 3 games last week, finishing 1-1-1 record and 4-2-2 overall, and currently sit in the 1st wildcard position.

2. Jets:  Josh Morrissey’s injury has been downgraded to week-to-week.  We could be in trouble. (Not good news)

4. Jets:  Where were we at this time last season?

2025-26:  6-2-0, 8 pts.   GF: 28  GA: 19
2026-27:  4-2-2, 7 pts.    GF: 23  GA:  24

5. Jets: Poll Question:  Things could come to a head this week with Helle’s suspension expiring on Friday.  NHL insider Elliotte Friedman believes the Utah Mammoth are determined to acquire Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck.

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6. Jets:  Things that make me go hmmm: #1🤔Where is all this impatience coming from with Brad Lambert?  He has a total of 38 NHL games under his belt.  Are you serious?

7. Jets:  Special Teams:  Rule of thumb. 

Have the power play and penalty kill (PK and PP) numbers total at least 100% when added (as your minimum).

• PP: 3rd at 30.00% 
• PK: 20th at 78.90% 
• FO: 29th at 45.90%

8. Jets:  Goaltending:

• Stuart Skinner:  3-0-2 … 2.76 GAA … .906 SV%
• Clay Stevenson:  1-2-0 … 3.08 GAA … .893 SV%

9. Jets:  The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly this past week.

• Good:  The top line and 3rd line are playing well.
• Bad:  The Jets’ defencemen!  Too many giveaways and seem to have no clue how to defend in front of their goaltenders.    
• Ugly: Faceoffs AGAIN and front-of-the-net/slot coverage.  (Maybe bring Jonathan Toews in as a faceoff coach)

10. Tidbits and FYIs:

• Stuart Skinner hasn’t lost in regulation time yet. (JINX)
• The Manitoba Moose are 5-1 to start their season.  GF: 29 GA: 13
• Nikita Chibrikov and Brayden Yager lead the Moose in scoring with 9 points in 6 games.
• Heritage Classic is this coming Sunday.
• The Jets still have 12 players with 0 goals.
• The Jets have recalled Brayden Yager from the Manitoba Moose 🫎
• Elias Salomonsson has been activated and loaned to the Moose for conditioning purposes.

Check out the video version HERE with Harley and Mitch on YouTube for a much more detailed look.