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. New Jersey Devils GM, Ray Shero, dipped into his old organisation (Pittsburgh Penguins) and hired Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Head Coach John Hynes as his new bench boss in New Jersey.
2. The NHL/NHLPA Competition Committee is recommending a limited “coaches challenge” for the upcoming season. It’s about time!
3. I wonder what was going on with Ben Bishop in game 2. He starts … he’s out … he’s back … he’s out and doesn’t return leaving back-up Andrei Vasilevskiy to mop up in the third period and get his first ever playoff victory!
4. Lightning forward, Ryan Callahan, awoke from his playoff slumber by kicking in a couple of power-play assists in game two.
5. Lots of talk in the media last week about offering extensions or trading Captain Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien who will become UFAs after the 2015-16 season. AND lots of varying opinions especially when it comes to “Big Buff”.
6. The Manitoba Moose official website can be found here >>> Manitoba Moose
7. 2015 NHL Entry Draft countdown: 19 days.
8. Is it just me or is the NHL barking up the wrong tree with their version of a “Draft Combine”? It really is boring.
9. At age 40, John Hynes is now the youngest Head Coach in the NHL. (see #1)
10. The Arizona Coyotes are shopping their #3 overall pick. Should the Winnipeg Jets be interested and what would they offer?
Trade Buff or offer him an extension?
11. It’s been very quiet over at TNSE and I’m sure they are very busy but I can’t help but wonder how the contract negotiations are going with Drew Strafford, Michael Frolik, Juri Tlusty, Lee Stempniak, and the rest of the RFAs and UFAs.
12. The NHL/NHLPA Competition Committee are still undecided on whether to look at 3 on 3 in overtime. They are going to discuss it further and try to make a decision by the end of June.
13. Free Agent Frenzy countdown: 24 days
14. As I was perusing this years upcoming UFA crop, a name that intrigued me was Matt Beleskey. Will the Jets try to snag another Ducks forward like they did last year with Mathieu Perreault?
15. For those of you that miss CapGeek.com, these two websites are pretty decent >>> Sportrac and General Fanager.
16. The NHL/NHLPA Competition Committee should recommend that all games in the NHL be worth three points OR totally get rid of the loser point. (yes I’m still on my soapbox on this subject)
17. Grand Rapids Griffins bench boss, Jeff Blashill, is expected to be named the Detroit Red Wings new head coach later this week. He will have a tough act to follow.
18. If Drew Stafford walks as a UFA next month, the Jets/Sabres trade would boil down to Evander Kane, Zach Bogosian and Jason Kasdorf for Tyler Myers, Joel Armia, Brendan Lemieux and the #25 overall pick this year at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. IF the prospects turn out, it could still be a pretty good deal for the Jets.
19. Who starts in goal for Tampa Bay in game 3? (see #3)
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 lots of good points you make! I hadn’t heard about Arizona shopping their pick.
Matt Beleskey would be a nice fit in Winnipeg in my opinion. I have been waiting and waiting for any Jet news. Lots of rumours about possible trades at the Entry draft, but they said that last year so it will be interesting to see it unfolds like they predict.
On another note, is it just me, and/or is it politically incorrect to comment that: I want more Canadian content on the team I cheer for (regardless of final outcomes).
I must be getting old.
I made the comment a couple of years ago that the Jets were a little top heavy in Stars and Stripes and I got lectured about it doesn’t matter where they come from as long as you win LOL …. BTW I’m getting old too!
The ufa forward crop is pretty thin this year. Belesky is going to cost a pretty penny on the open market. I could see a big market team over paying him. Though I do think he would be a good fit for the Jets.
As for Ladd, he is starting to get up there in age, he did seem to have lost a half step in the latter parts of the season / playoffs. He is a ufa end of next year? I would personally like to see him continue on with the team but his role should start to slip from Top line.
The Jets d line is crowded. I have already said I would like to move Buff back to forward where he isn’t as much of a liability plus his aggressive play really opens up alot of ice. His forecheck is like a battering ram on a plywood door. Any d man would have nightmares of that freight train bearing down on them. But, if he won’t buck up for the team then he would bring in a good haul in return. Though you always have to worry about trading the biggest name away for prospects /picks.
Coyotes are reportedly looking for a centre in return for their pick. Can’t really see a fit there for the Jets.
The Coyotes should re-sign Vermette … they need to spend to get to the cap floor especially with more ELCs this season … Boedker (RFA), Vermette and another UFA or two should take care of that.
Yup, the Jets blue-line is overcrowded with a bunch of 3rd & 4th pairing d-men.