Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Feb. 10

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

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

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 warn

1. Jets: The Winnipeg Jets had a pretty nice week collecting 7 out of a possible 8 points and landing in the first wildcard spot.  The Jets have 9 points out of 12 since the break and look to have some momentum.  The Winnipeg Jets overall record is 29-23-5.

UPDATE:

The National Hockey League has announced that Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor (3 G, 5 A, 8 Pts in 3 games) has been named the “Second Star Of The Week”

2. Jets:  It looks like Patrik Laine might be the defensive conscience on the top line and who would have thought that?  

3. NHL:  I would love to see a fastest skater competition on a straight away.  I’m not sure the NHL’s current format really proves much.  You don’t see top-fuel dragsters turning four corners on a small track. 

4. NHL: Alex Ovechkin has been on a heater lately and the talk is ramping up once again that he could catch Wayne Gretzky’s goal-scoring record.  Gretzky currently sits at 894 goals and OV is at 698 and counting.  OV will turn 35-years-old in September and  I’m not sure how many 40-50 goal seasons he has left in him.  If I were a betting man and I am I don’t think he even comes close, although part of me is pulling for him.    

5. Jets: On Dec. 10 vs Detroit, Patrik Laine undressed Wings defenceman Dennis Cholowski and scored a highlight real goal and now he has fallen in love with that outside-inside move.  The problem with that is he tries it every time he comes down the wing and it hasn’t worked since.  Shoot the puck Patrik, shoot the puck.  

6. Jets:.  I’m a huge Jansen Harkins supporter and I’m really liking the Jets new third line of Harkins, Copp and Roslovic.  This line has a nice mix that seems to work.  Andrew Copp and the third line have three game winning goals in his last four games.  Not too shabby for the third-line. 

7. Jets:  I was toying with some line combos when their forward group get healthy and came up with this.

Connor Scheifele Wheeler

Ehlers Little Laine

Harkins Copp Roslovic

Perreault Lowry Appleton/Shore

I might flip Laine and Wheeler but I really like this bottom six.    

8. Jets: The Dustin Byfuglien watch:  As long as cannabis is legal in Canada the Jets still have a chance.

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9. Jets: The NHL trade deadline is Feb. 24. 

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10. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets only had three wins in January but have four already in February and it is only the ninth.  There are still five more games left on this home stand and it would be nice to see this team re-establish some home-ice dominance.  These next five games will probably determine if Chevy and the Jets are buyers, sellers, or if they stand pat.   

11. This week:

• Manitoba Moose – Feb. 6, 7
• Winnipeg Jets – Feb. 4, 6, 8, 9
• Winnipeg Ice – Feb. 5, 8 

12. Goaltending:

• Conner Hellebuyck: 24-16-5 … 2.67 GAA … .920 SV% … 4 shutouts.
• Laurent Brossoit: 5-7-0 … 3.48 GAA … .888 SV%

13. 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: 14th at 19.80% up from 20th at 19.00%
• PK: 26th at 75.30% up from 29th at 74.10%
• FO: 17th at 49.70%  down from 15th at 50.10%

14. Pet Peeve:  I don’t understand the narrative that the Jets aren’t a good team because if it wasn’t for Connor Hellebuyck they would have fewer wins.  I don’t dispute that but last time I checked the goalie was part of the team and is usually the most important part of any team.  Does it matter what position the team’s best player is?     

15. NHL: I was shocked last week after reading a bunch of negative posts on Twitter about Rogers Hometown Hockey and Ron McLean.  It actually bothered me and I wanted to lash out but I took the high-road.  I love Hometown hockey, I love learning about the town’s history and hockey lineage, I love ex-NHLers from the region being on the show.  Whats not to like?  If you don’t like it, don’t watch it.  Simple.  If you want to fight me on this you know where to find me on Twitter.  

16. Jets: I thought Sunday’s game versus Chicago was one of the better games I’ve seen Dmitry Kulikov play all season.  He was physical, had good gaps, and moved the puck very efficiently. 

17. Jets: It is amazing how good coffee tastes in the morning after a Jets win.  Being a fan is such a roller coaster ride of emotions but I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Nothing felt worse than the day Jets 1.0 moved to Phoenix. 

In memory of my friend Darryl Manchulenko.

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Thanks, Mitch