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. Congratulations to Keegan Kolesar from Winnipeg on being selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets. BTW, he was the only Manitoban selected!
2. Alexander Burmistrov is still Winnipeg Jets property.
3. Now that the 2015 NHL Entry Draft has come and gone, we can turn our attention to the gong show know as Free Agent Frenzy starting on “Canada Day”. This is where normally sane men spend money like drunken sailors on shore leave.
4. I think the interview period the NHL and NHLPA negotiated coming out of the lockout was a great idea. It makes the UFA opening day of July 1 a lot more fun.
5. I was very disappointed the Jets passed on Nick Merkley with their second pick, #25 in the first round. I know I’m not alone but at least my other team drafted him!
6. Hey Marcel Comeau … 3 USHL players with your first 4 picks! Enough already with the USHL.
7. I was a little iffy with Jansen Harkins as a 1st round selection but I love him in the second round at #47.
8. So much for my wish list I posted in last week’s Random Thoughts.
Here’s a couple of names I hope are still on the board when the Winnipeg Jets get to their first, first round pick at #17. Evgeny Svechnikov and Nick Merkley
9. I think Michael Spacek may have been a steal for the Winnipeg Jets in the fourth round, 108th overall.
10. Congrats to Kyle Connor on being selected by the Winnipeg Jets, 17th overall, Friday night. He will be playing hockey next year at the University of Michigan under former NHLer Red Berenson.
11. Free Agent Frenzy countdown: 3 days
12. I think that Joe Sakic and the Colorado Avalanche should be arrested for highway robbery. Acquiring Zadorov, Grigerenko, Compher and the 31st overall pick (traded to San Jose) for O’Reilly and McGinn was larceny. Way to go Joe!
13. Overheard under the stands at the BB&T Centre: “Hey Red, do you mind babysitting another one of my draft picks this year? I know you hate one and dones but he needs more development. Ya, okay Chevy, but this is the last time!”
14. So the Jets drafted Jack Roslovic, the first player developed in the Columbus Minor Hockey program and then Columbus drafted the only Manitoban and Winnipeger, Keegan Kolesar. See, I was paying attention.
15. New Boston GM, Don Sweeney sure pissed off a lot of Bruins fans this past weekend with his trades. Soderberg, Hamilton and Lucic are all gone.
16. I’m just going to flat-out say it. I don’t like the Erik Foley pick in the 3rd round.
17. I was very impressed at how pro-active Islanders GM Garth Snow was during this years draft.
18. Jack Roslovic’s stock really rose after a very good U18 WJC tournament this spring (11 points). But how much that was due to his line-mates Matthew Tkachuk (12 points) and Auston Matthews (15 points)? Have you ever heard of the Bill Derlago, Brian Propp, Ray Allison line? The old timers out there will know what I’m talking about.
19. Even though I was a little irritated that the Jets selected four players from the USHL, the upside is that they can sit in college for up to four years and it doesn’t cost the team one nickel to let them develop. They also don’t have to burn any of their 50 player contracts. See, I’m capable of finding a silver lining. (see #6)
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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