Random Thoughts on the Winnipeg Jets for Oct.1, 2025

Mitch Kasprick is now the “Westdale Curmudgeon.” 

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

Just so there’s no confusion when I’m spewing my bias, I am a fan of the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, 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, or is it the 8Ps?  You’ve been warned.

1. Jets:  The Winnipeg Jets have a 1-3-1 record so far in the preseason, which in the grand scheme of things means diddly squat. 

2. Jets:  Pet peeve:  Chevy signing journeyman plugs like Jaret Anderson-Dolan, Walker Duehr, and Cole Koepke.  I understand the Manitoba Moose need players, too, but stop bringing in these guys under the premise of them challenging for NHL roster spots.  I’d rather see GUS and Nikita Chibrikov play than get roster-blocked by these guys.  Did you notice I didn’t mention Brad Lambert?  More on him later.

3. Jets Injury Update:  After a nothing hit by Calgary Flames forward Ryan Lomberg, this week during a preseason game at Canada Life Centre, the news was not very good for Dylan Samberg.

4. Jets: From the “who gives a shit file”.

The Jets announced they are extending their partnership with the Norfolk Admirals as the organization’s ECHL affiliate for the upcoming 2025-26 season!  Unless the Jets have goaltenders playing there to develop, the organisation is in big trouble if a “top prospect” that is a skater is playing in the East Coast Hockey League.

5. Jets:  I would say my first impression of Jonathon Toews 2.0 was positive, and I thought his play looked solid.  Of course, self-evaluation is always tougher, and JT didn’t cut himself any slack, which is in line with his personality, but I liked what I saw. 

6. NHL:  There was a huge gasp heard all across the NHL, and it was from all the GMs after hearing Minnesota GM, Bill Guerin, announce Kirill Kaprizov’s 8-year, $136 million contract to stay in Minny.  BTW, KK still has one more year left on his paltry $9,000,000 deal with the Wild.

7.  Jets:  Poll question:  I’m very curious to see which of the youngsters make a hard push for a roster spot.  What are your thoughts?  You may select a maximum of 3 players in our poll.

Will any of the Jets youngsters make a push for a roster spot.

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8. Jets:  I wonder who hates Bill Guerin more, Winnipeg’s Kevin Cheveldayoff or Edmonton’s Stan Bowman?

9. Jets:  Elias Salomonsson update:  He has looked excellent, but there is no room for him on the roster, even with the Dylan Samberg injury, so he’ll probably be sent to the Manitoba Moose, just because he can.  

10. NHL:  From the Put that in your pipe and smoke it” file.

That slurping sound you hear across North America is players like Kyle Connor and Connor McDavid, as well as other NHL free agents and would-be free agents, smacking their lips at the news of Kaprizov’s new contract.  I really have to laugh.

11. Jets:  I haven’t been very impressed by the play of Colin Miller or Neil Pionk so far this preseason, and with the injury to Dylan Samberg, the Jets need the veterans to pull up their collective socks.  

12. Jets:  I have a funny feeling this Jets team, as it currently stands, might have to outscore their impending defensive deficiencies, but they’re not built that way.  It could be Helle against the world again.   

13. Jets: Dates of note:

Oct. 9 – Season opener/home opener vs Dallas

Apr. 16 – Olympic break 

Winnipeg Jets 2025-26 Season Giveaway Nights and Theme Nights… click here.

14. NHL: I think I can go out on a limb and say Kirill Kaprizov is going to be the highest-paid 5th-rounder in NHL history for quite a long time. 

15. Things that make me go hmmm: 

If “Kirill the thrill” is worth 8 X $17,000,000, then what is Connor McOiler worth?

 

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