Things about the Winnipeg Jets and the NHL that crossed my mind over the weekend —
Some random facts and a few thoughts from this past week about the Winnipeg Jets, the Manitoba Moose and the National Hockey League.
1. Alexander Burmistrov was a surprise visitor last week at the Winnipeg Jets Development Camp at the MTS IcePlex. Thoughts anyone?
2. Congrats to Paul Postma on his new 2-year deal with the Jets. Read more here >>> Jets sign Postma
3. The Winnipeg Jets Development Camp is done for another year and I’m wondering what our readers at WHT thought about our prospects.
4. I like how the Chicago Blackhawks turned a player (Patrick Sharp) that they were going to basically give away because of “Cap” problems into a need on their back-end (Trevor Daley). They killed two birds with one stone. Well done Stan Bowman!
5. Alexander Burmistrov will be wearing #6 this season and Ben Chiarot is going to change to #7.
6. I was pleasantly surprised by the play of Jets 7th rounder, Sami Niku at their development camp last week.
7. Josh Morrissey looked like a pro in camp last week. He was very poised and extremely efficient.
8. Ladd, Little, Stafford, Perreault, Scheifele, Wheeler, Burmistrov, Lowry, Thorburn, Peluso, Enstrom, Chiarot, Stuart, Pardy, Clitsome, Myers, Byfuglien, Trouba, Postma, Pavelec, and Hutchinson. That’s 21 players on one-way NHL contracts and NHL teams are allowed to carry 23 players. Morrissey, Petan, Copp, Hellebuyck, Ehlers and maybe a surprise player will be looking to crack this years line-up so something has to give.
9. Nic Petan put his puck skills on full display last week. He is dripping with skill.
10. Nikolaj Ehlers is probably going to start the season with the Winnipeg Jets and he looked terrific on the offensive side of the ice BUT I didn’t see very much, if any, growth in his defensive game. I realize that this camp wasn’t conducive to defensive play but I think there is going to be a lot of growing pains with young Mr. Ehlers.
11. I though Connor Hellebuyck was outstanding in his half during the inter-squad game.
12. I was very underwhelmed by Jack Roslovic in the inter-squad game.
13. Now that Nik Ehlers has asked the Winnipeg media to address him as Nikolaj Ehlers from now on he might want to introduce himself to the defensive zone while he’s at it! (see #7)
14. Still no announcements on Andrew Ladd or Dustin Byfuglien. What up?
15. I though Josh Morrissey was heads and tails the best defenceman in camp followed by Sami Niku and UND’s Tucker Poolman. (see #9)
16. The AHL has announced some new rule changes for the 2015-16 season. Read more here >>> rule changes
17. After the Arizona Coyotes signed UFA John Scott, I’m thinking about burning my Coyotes season tickets!
18. Looking at the Jets current roster it’s no wonder they haven’t signed anymore UFAs. (see #8)
19. Brendan Lemieux looks like he is going to be an interesting player. He seems to have excellent offensive instincts!
20. Winnipeg Hockey Talk is looking for Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose writers AND we would love somebody to cover the Manitoba Bisons as well. If you or somebody you know is interested, please contact us at:
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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Hey Mitch I agree with random thought number 4. Bowman is making some nice moves unfortunately for us!
Sami Niku was a steal in my opinion at 198th 7th round! I was interested in the prospects that were drafted by the Jets in later rounds and I liked Tucker Poolman, Karlstrom on defence as well as Spacek. The drafting of these later picks and of our goaltenders makes me think highly of our scouting staff and I haven’t even talked about our top prospects!
Number 8 makes me wonder who is going to play and where? It’s nice to have depth and because of that I think the Moose are going to be an interesting team to watch this season.
Number 10. I think Ehlers is putting too much pressure on himself. There’s no rush.
Number 11. We have a chance to win the Stanley Cup down the road with Hellebuyck in net. I have followed this guy from the day he was drafted and what a find! I listened to him being interviewed at the development camp and he is so mature for his age. Can’t wait to see him playing full time for the Jets!
Number 17. I was baffled as you were!
I wonder if Morrissey will be on the team when they play their first game?
Morrissey is going to have to beat out Chiarot … he needs to be in the “top 6” … being in the popcorn brigade doesn’t do him any good … top 6 or the Moose IMO.
A li’l surprised to read the hate for Mr. Scott. Thought, at worst, you would be ambivalent towards him. I used to like SJ, so he was ‘OK’ in my books. But, I am generally ambivalent towards him.
Re: the Jets, as you have highlighted, the deck is a little more than crowded. Hence, Chevy has to have a move up his sleeve.
I think optimism has to have a dash of caution with this team as we have seen Dallas and Colorado, to name a few, historically, that have taken a step forward and then two steps back in a following year.
Are Ladd, Perrault, Little, and Wheeler going to be able to be the forces they were? Time will tell.
I really can’t see the team doing anything noteworthy with Scheifele as a top six, and Pav and Hutch as the tandem.
Particularly in regards to having a philosophy of d-men being offensively minded, a team really needs a Vezina candidate between the pipes.
Pav and Hutch just haven’t instilled that kind of confidence night in and night out. So, I hope to see Hellebuyck getting a decent shot.
IMO.
I don’t hate Scott … I just think the league has passed him by but the first time he drops his gloves to tune up a L.A. Kings thug I’ll be on my feet! YES, I am a hypocrite but you must remember I’m still “old school”. LOL
I guess ‘hate’ was a bit strong. I take it back.
I always hope for these goons to be dark horses that learn to skate and join the game. It’s a little bit like an underdog mentality.
I’ll toast “old school” tonight after work as I did yesterday, which was 35 degrees. Japanese beer is quite good, by the way.