Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Jan. 11

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 ended up 1-1-1 on the week and are 19-20-3 overall and just keep spinning their wheels in a winning one, losing one scenario.  They need to put together a winning streak during this homestand if they have any aspirations for post-season play.  

2.  I wouldn’t mind seeing Adam Pardy getting into a few more games and giving Mark Stuart a turn in the press box.  I don’t understand why Stuart gets “Carte blanche” on this team!    

3.  I wonder if the Jets have an interest in Jonathon Drouin?      

4.  The Winnipeg Jets aren’t a very good offensive team.  They create opportunities but don’t have very good finish.                

5.  During Chevy’s interview in between the second and third periods Sunday, he said “it’s a process” at least three times.  A process?  That’s the best you got?  

6.  Drew Stafford is fitting in quite well with Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler and I can’t help wondering if this was an experiment to see what life without Andrew Ladd would be like.  

7.  Chris Thorburn playing on the second line with Mathieu Perreault and Nik Ehlers tells you a lot about the lack of depth on this team or Paul Maurice’s stubbornness to realize that Thor is a fourth line winger.

8.  I guess Evander Kane and the Buffalo Sabres got the last laugh on “track suit night”.  The Winnipeg Jets let too many points slip away to teams below them in the standings and good hockey teams don’t do that.           

9.  I’m surprised Paul Postma hasn’t asked for a trade.  He can’t be happy sitting in the press box every night.      

10.  I was watching the Jets games on Sunday afternoon and the amount of odd-man rushes they gave up was quite disturbing.  When is this team going to realize the way to win hockey games is to play defence first?  I’m so sick of them trying to play a run-and-gun style when they don’t have the ammo to do so.  It’s like showing up to a gunfight with a knife.  This is on the coaching staff.

11.  Eric Comrie has made twelve straight starts for the Manitoba Moose and is one of the few bright spots on the farm this season.    

12.  What’s worse?  Toby making $5,750,000 per season or Mark Stuart making $2,625,000 per season for the next three years? 

13.  After a slow start to his pro career, Chase De Leo is starting to turn some heads with the Moose.  IMO he is still a longshot to be an NHL regular but so far so good.          

14.  The Winnipeg Jets still continue to be one of the best 5 on 5 teams in the NHL so I’m guessing that fixing special teams SHOULD be a priority.  I wonder how the brain trust is going to fix this problem?  Let me guess.  It’s a process.

15.  The Winnipeg Jets wasted a couple of good efforts by rookie phenom Connor Hellebuyck on their last road trip.  (Arizona and Dallas)         

16.  Things that make you go hmmm?:  How would the Jets know if their powerplay or their penalty killing is getting any better when they practice against each other.  

17.  Ben Chiarot’s game is slowing coming around and right now he is the best defenceman in that third defensive pairing.  Sorry Stu!      

18.  Winnipeg Jets Special teams update: 

PK:  26th at 76.1%   

PP:  29th at 15.4% 

19.  Countdown to the 2016 NHL Trade Deadline:  50 days (Feb. 29)  

20.  Countdown to the 2016 World Cup:  251 days (Sept. 17-Oct. 1 in Toronto) How many Winnipeg Jets do you think will be playing in this event?  Wheeler? Ehlers?  Scheifele?  Hellebuyck?           

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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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