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 1-1-0 last week and are now 14-14-2 overall. 14 wins and 16 loses with 2 charity points thrown in. Not good enough for this team.
2. It looks like Paul Maurice wants to see how Jacob Trouba and Dustin Byfuglien look as a defensive pairing with Trouba playing on the left side as seen at their last couple of practices.
3. All of the different salary and contract scenarios being bantered about in the media for Ladd, Buff, and Trouba are making my head spin. I can see why these players haven’t been resigned yet.
4. Tonight versus the St. Louis Blues, Chris Thorburn will play in his 594th game with the Thrashers/Jets franchise tying Ilya Kovalchuk’s record for games played.
5. I’m sick of this narrative that this is Andrew Ladd’s and Dustin Byfuglien’s last contract. Just a FYI …. 36-year-olds can sign contracts people!
6. Team USA must have one helluva hockey team lined up for the upcoming WJHC if they can leave Michigan forward Kyle Connor off their roster.
7. The Edmonton Oilers and Arizona Coyotes both have 30 points and are in a playoff position while the Winnipeg Jets have 30 points and are 5 points out. HEY GARY, it’s time to scrap these lame divisions and get back to two conferences with balanced schedules and shove your wildcards!
8. I see Josh Morrissey potted his first goal of the season for the Manitoba Moose this past week. That’s it.
9. Mark Stuart hasn’t played very well this season but he somehow gets a pass. I don’t get it. OR is this Buff/Trouba experiment a way of getting Trouba more ice-time and Stuart less ice-time? Is PoMo an evil genius? (see#2)
10. The Manitoba Moose seem to be playing a little better lately and especially at home which is nice for the fans that go out and support them. I love that the Moose relocated to Winnipeg and have made it affordable for kids and/or families to attend hockey games. I would have loved a WHL team in Winnipeg but the AHL works too.
11. Obviously, Paul Maurice would never admit this but I wonder if he wishes he could have hired his own assistant coaches?
12. Adam Lowry is officially off the schneid after scoring a big goal versus the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night.
13. Listening to some of the callers that call into the local radio shows in Winnipeg really shows me how much they don’t understand “asset management”. Just give Ladd away … let Buff walk … lets dump Hutch, he’s not playing very well. Now that I think of it, how can I expect Winnipeg hockey fans to understand “asset management” when I’m not sure our G.M. does. Yes, that was a shot!
14. Pet Peave: Officials that get so mesmerized by watching the puck that they miss infractions right in front of them. Now, the official that is further away is left wondering “did my partner miss that?” or “he was closer and had a better look and didn’t think it was a penalty”. These guys really do have a tough job.
15. Just a FYI Jets fans. Winnipeg snagged the last wildcard spot last season with 99 points but 96 would have been enough as it turns out.
16. Don’t forget Winnipeggers, there is a ton of great hockey out there at your neighborhood rinks. Go check out the MJHL’s Winnipeg Blues at the IcePlex or one of your local teams in the MMJHL as well as high school games and the AAA Manitoba Midget Hockey League. There is also the AA and AAA Bantam leagues along with some Junior B hockey as well. As much as I love golfing and the warm weather in Arizona, I really miss all the minor hockey that Winnipeg and Manitoba has to offer.
17. Why did the Jets call Joel Armia up to the big club? I thought he would get to suit-up for at least one game, didn’t you?
18. Winnipeg Jets Special teams update:
PK: 23rd at 78.5% down from 21st at 79.4% last week.
PP: 28th at 15.6% down from 27th at 15.7% last week.
19. I wonder if he’s still Nikolaj or can we call him Nik again?
20. Countdown to the 2016 World Cup: 279 days (Sept. 17-Oct. 1 in Toronto) How many Winnipeg Jets do you think will be playing in this event?
If you are interested in writing for Winnipeg Hockey Talk or if you know somebody interested, please contact us at:
We are looking for writers to cover the Manitoba Bisons, Winnipeg AAA, MJHL, MMJHL, KIJHL and Winnipeg High School.
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 ...
Everything will be okay once Pavs gets back. (hope this made somebody, besides me, laugh)