Things about the Winnipeg Jets and the NHL that crossed my mind over the weekend —
Some random facts and a few thoughts from this past week about the Winnipeg Jets, the Manitoba Moose and the National Hockey League.
1. Once again, I’m leaving this line open in case there is some last-minute news on an Andrew Ladd or Dustin Byfuglien signing … ___________________________________________________.
2. Former Winnipeg Jets Head Coach, Claude Noel, has himself a new gig scouting for the New Jersey Devils.
3. It looks like the Minnesota Wild are getting to host a game in the NHL’s “Coors Light Stadium Series” on Feb. 21, 2016 vs the Chicago Blackhawks.
4. The Colorado Avalanche will get a chance to host their first outdoor game in the NHL’s “Coors Light Stadium Series” on Feb. 27, 2016 vs the Detroit Red Wings.
5. If the Boston Bruins are interested in Dustin Byfuglien, they better be bringing a lot more to the table than Brad Marchand.
6. Auston Matthews, an early favorite to be the #1 pick in next June’s NHL Entry Draft, has decided to play for Zurich in the Swiss National League in 2015-16. Playing “tippy-toe” hockey on the big-ice in Europe should really get you prepared for the grind of the NHL! Nice call Auston?
7. The NHL and MLB Advanced Media have signed a six-year digital media rights partnership agreement. Advanced Media is the techy division of Major League Baseball and their job is to enhance the user experience across the two League’s digital platforms that include GameCenter Live, NHL Center Ice, NHL Network and NHL.com. Maybe they should work on Strombo and crew first!
8. The 2016 World Cup of Hockey will have a total of eight teams representing the United States, Canada, Russia, Sweden, Finland and the Czech Republic, as well as a Hybrid-team of top players from other European nations, BUT the most intriguing team should be the North American Under-23 Youngstars team.
9. Countdown to the 2015 Young Stars Classic: 32 days (in Penticton, BC)
10. Countdown to the Jets 1st pre-season game: 43 days (vs Minnesota)
11. Countdown to the Jets 1st regular season game: 59 days (at Boston)
12. Hey Gary! ENOUGH ALREADY with the Blackhawks in these outdoor games. This will be their 4th! (see #3)
13. In my humble opinion, (and it’s really not that humble), 2016 NHL Top Prospect Auston Matthews is making a huge mistake playing in Switzerland this upcoming season. Man-up Auston and play with the big-boys in the WHL. BTW the Everett Silvertips have his WHL rights. (see #6)
14. Countdown to the 2016 World Cup: 403 days (Sept. 17-Oct. 1 in Toronto)
15. Prediction: The Winnipeg Jets will be the last team to participate in an outdoor game.
16. As far as I’m concerned, Darren Dreger, Bob McKenzie, Pierre LeBrun, Nick Kypreos etc, have ALL lost their “Insiders” status until they can deliver something concrete from behind the “Cone of Silence” at TNSE.
17. I think it’s going to be awfully tough not to cheer for the North American U23 Team at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel together as teammates will be fun to watch. (see #8)
18. Winnipeg Hockey Talk is looking for Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose writers AND we would love somebody to cover the Manitoba Bisons as well. If you or somebody you know is interested, please contact us at:
If you have any thoughts on any of these comments or questions, please let me know. I would love to hear your opinions.
Thanks, Mitch
Use the “Comment Section” below.
*
Loading ...
Tippy-toe hockey (LOL).
Can’t they just retract the roof at MTS Center for outdoor status (wink)?
Kudos to you for no mention of PK.
On another random note (though related to the Buff/Ladd situation), I’m not a Bettman fan though the game is much better than the dead-puck era. My complaint is the NHL business model: socialize the costs (salary cap) and privatize the profits, which is patently hypocritical.
Hence, if you can legalize in a specific industry (labour agreement after lockout after lockout) what is illegal in the marketplace (collusion between the owners aka price fixing), for the stated goal of making each hockey market viable, then why not raise the salary cap and eliminate NM and NTC’s?
That would go a long way in achieving market by market viability and further advance the parity objective by making teams like the Jets, Buffalo, etc. more competitive (via eliminating geographic/climate preference).
Sorry, my politics have creeped into the discussion.
good insights Todd ….. no need to pile on PK …. yet
Must be tuff being a hockey writer at this time of year. (Not to say you aren’t doing a great job). Item #5 … I’d love to see Marchand in a Jet’s jersey and think that it would be quite do-able. Not sure what the Bruins have for draft picks but a first rounder for 2016 from them along with Marchand might be a good move.
Thanks … LOL … yup it is very quiet around here BUT Marchand “plus” would work as long as the “plus” is decent.
Is that line in thought #1 a space-saver, or just the latest reading of the Jets’ front office* pulse?
*- PR dept included.
#1 is just waiting for the Ladd or Buff signing or trade but it is very quiet over at the offices of TNSE … don’t they know I’m waiting for them? LOL