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.
HAPPY NEW YEAR everybody!
1. The Winnipeg Jets ended up 2-2-0 on the week and are 18-19-2 overall. Their yo-yo season continues.
2. Everybody has their breaking point and for me it was Thursday night in Glendale. I have supported and defended Andrew Ladd but I can’t do it any longer. You see things in person you don’t catch on TV. All I have to say is that, if his strong point is supposed to be “leading by example”, he is failing miserably. It might be time for a trade.
3. Gary Bettman and his band of buffoons are the gift that just keep on giving. Letting this John Scott All-Star Game fan vote get this far is a BLACK EYE on our game. AND you wonder why hockey is considered a second or third tier sport in the U.S.
4. For me, Canada not winning the WJHC is not the end of the world and I don’t want this to become a habit but not even contending for a place on the podium is a little disappointing.
5. Hello Chevy. Are you there? What’s going on? The lynch mobs are starting to assemble just down the street and they’re looking your way.
6. Is it possible that maybe the Columbus Blue Jacket just aren’t the team everybody thought they were?
7. If Pascal Vincent is solely responsible for the Jets powerplay, I think it’s time for a change. I’m not sure it’s all on him but it’s been FIVE years of the same old, same old. How many coaches do you have to go through before you start questioning the personal?
8. The big, strong, heavy, Winnipeg Jets persist on playing around the perimeter on their powerplay and I find myself, like the 1000’s of other Jets, fans yelling at the TV, “GET SOMEBODY IN FRONT OF THE NET”. The Winnipeg Jets need a Tomas Holmstrom or Patric Hornqvist type of a guy in front of opposing goalies or is that job only for big, tough, Swedes?
9. When Shane Doan scored to break Dale Hawerchuk’s franchise record for goals scored (379), he received a standing ovation from both the Coyotes and Jets fans (and there were lots) in attendance. It was actually a nice scene and I’m glad I was part of it.
10. Although I’m a huge Arizona Coyotes fan, I was pulling for the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night. The Jets really needed those two points a lot more than the Coyotes and this was a game they should not have let slip away the way they dominated play but unfortunately their lack of discipline and horrible special teams reared their UGLY UGLY heads once again!
11. The Jets reeled me in after a solid win in San Jose and then served up that fiasco last night in Anaheim. Right now they are a rudderless ship IMO!
12. So Paul Maurice thought Chris Thorburn was his best option as his sixth attacker the other night versus Arizona? What’s next? A big contract extension for Thor followed by an Anthony Peluso extension!
13. On a brighter note, the Manitoba Moose have been on a nice run at home lately (6-1-1-2) and are now above the bogus .500 mark at 6-5-1-2.
14. Does anybody really think that the Winnipeg Jets would purposely try and tank so they have a shot at Auston Matthews? I said would not should.
15. What do you think about putting Adam Lowry in front of the net on Jets powerplays? (see#8)
16. Yes, we all know that it took Shane Doan 1422 games to break Dale Hawerchuk’s record and yes, we all know it only took Ducky 713 games to score his 379 goals. So what’s your point?
17. I looked up the definition of perimeter in the dictionary and it showed a picture of the Jets powerplay! Obviously, I can’t let it go.
18. Winnipeg Jets Special teams update:
PK: 29th at 76.3% down from 27th at 77.7% last week … BRUTAL
PP: 29th at 13.9% up from 29th at 13.6% last week … EXTRA BRUTAL
19. Countdown to the 2016 World Cup: 258 days (Sept. 17-Oct. 1 in Toronto) How many Winnipeg Jets do you think will be playing in this event? Wheeler? Ehlers? Scheifele? Hellebuyck?
20. AND finally, congratulations to our own Scott Campbell who landed a weekly writing gig (Fridays) at the Winnipeg Free Press. Like I’ve always stated here and on twitter, Scott has been in the trenches so he knows of what he speaks. Congrats #7
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.
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Mitch, I have been calling for Ladds head for a few years now. I watch him very closely all the time and if gets a long term deal with the Jets it’s a big waste of cash. Time to move on from him.
I see your point and I somewhat agree but “top 9” forwards are hard to come by and the Jets have never been blessed with any type of depth. Ladd has his flaws but he is a NHLer but not for what his camp is asking … Chevy needs to stop dragging his feet … this is the NHL NOT the AHL
3. I think the All-Star game is a black-eye on our game. Actually, I am more interested in how JS performs in the skills.
4. The future of NHL hockey. I wonder the percentage of Canadian content in 5 years.
5. Trade deadline 7 weeks away.
11. Sure needed Hutch to be good – wasn’t. To me, the team seems to have lost confidence in him. I think he’s lost confidence in himself.
19. Hmmm, I just can’t get excited about the WC. For me, if there isn’t a healthy dose of hate, then it ain’t worth watching (wink).
20. Congrats.