Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Dec. 1

Things about the Winnipeg Jets and the NHL that crossed my mind —

Some random facts and a few thoughts from this past week about the Winnipeg Jets, the Manitoba Moose and the National Hockey League.

1.  The Winnipeg Jets went 1-3-0 last week and finished the month of November with a 4-9-1 record.  I hope they got that out of their system. 

2.  According to HNIC’s Elliotte Friedman, the Jets offered Dustin Byfuglien for Travis Hamonic straight up and the Islanders respectfully declined.  

3.  Congrats to Connor Hellebuyck on his first NHL win with a 3-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild.  

4.  BTW Gary, you still owe Winnipeg a NHL Entry Draft in lieu of the one you hijacked from us in 1996 when you shipped Jets 1.0 off to Phoenix.  I may be an old curmudgeon but I do not forget!    

5.  The objective for butterfly goaltenders is to cover the bottom of the net when the puck is down low or they are screened.  I get that but why do so many goaltenders drop to their knees at the first sign of a shot and expose the upper part of the net?  If one more expert tells me that ALL goalies do that nowadays, I’m going to scream.  That’s NOT an answer.  Stand there, square up to the shooter, and let the puck hit you instead on scrambling for nickels on the ice.           

6.  Andrew Ladd’s game seems to be taking a turn for the better and none too soon.   

7.  The buzz around town Monday was that the Winnipeg Jets only offered Dustin Byfuglien a 3-year deal.  Obviously unconfirmed.    

8.  I wonder if we’ll get our first look at Joel Armia in this mini home-stand?   

9.  I have been very surprised at the level of play the Toronto Maple Leafs put forth on most nights.  The are NOT a gimmee two points and I hope the Winnipeg Jets aren’t looking past them.  Right now the Jets shouldn’t be looking past anybody.             

10.  The Winnipeg Jets NEED more from Mark Scheifele and the second line.  Nuff said!  

11.  Pet Peeve:  The four idiots dressed in stripes would rather trip over a broken stick than pick it up.  I’ve seen a broken stick lay in pieces on the ice for 2-minutes shifts without being picked up.  So much for player safety!  I remember when linesmen would bust their ass to pick up a broken stick.  That’s Gary’s new NHL.      

12.  I said in one of my pre-season “Random Thoughts” that I thought the Manitoba Moose might have better goaltending than the Winnipeg Jets.  Unfortunately, I didn’t think we would come to this realization before December.  

13.  I think it’s time to get Ben Chiarot back in the line-up and send Adam Pardy back to the popcorn brigade.

14.  Adan Lowry, Anthony Peluso, Ben Chiarot, and Adam Pardy all have ZERO goals.  One name on that list stands out more than the others and if you didn’t know he had ZERO you’d be quite surprised.   

15.  Was it just me or did it seem like the Winnipeg Jets played a strong defensive game in front of Connor Hellebuyck just like they used to when playing in front of Michael Hutchinson when he was a rookie?    

16.  Alexander Burmistrov and Nikolaj Ehlers are starting to develop a little chemistry together and I wouldn’t be surprised to see some highlight reel goals from that pair.    

17.  Why don’t the Jets set up Dustin Byfuglien on his opposite point for the one-timer like Washington does with Alex Ovechkin?  Teams know it’s coming but they still can’t stop it.   

18.  Winnipeg Jets Special teams update:  

PK:  Down for the 5th straight week – 21st at 78.3% down from 17th at 79.5% last week.  

PP:  Down for the 5th straight week – 27th (down) at 15.6% (up) from 26th at 14.7% last week.

19.  Right now, a lot of Winnipeg Jets fans are looking at ownership and management for answers and as usual it is awfully quite over at TNSE.  

20.  Countdown to the 2016 World Cup:  293 days (Sept. 17-Oct. 1 in Toronto)  How many Winnipeg Jets do you think will be playing in this event?

Definition:

Popcorn brigade –  player sitting in the press box at the MTS Centre munching popcorn with his other “healthy scratch” teammates.  

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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 

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