Things about the Winnipeg Jets and the NHL that crossed my mind since last Monday —
Some random facts and a few thoughts from this past week about the Winnipeg Jets, the Manitoba Moose and the National Hockey League.
This is my abbreviated (on the road to Arizona) version of my “Random Thoughts” for this past week.
1. Congrats to Nic Petan on scoring his first NHL goal vs Boston! (and in his first NHL game)
2. Do the Winnipeg Jets actually have four lines now or is this just an early season mirage?
3. Congrats to Nikolaj “don’t call me Nik” Ehlers on his first NHL assist vs New Jersey! I promise at some point I’ll stop calling him that but I’m not sure when.
4. BTW, I called the “Hutch” start in goal vs New Jersey when everybody else said it would be Pav. (pats self on back)
5. It was nice to see the Winnipeg Jets grab two early road wins even though they were very sloppy in stretches of both games. They won’t get away with that against good teams.
6. With early season wins over L.A. and Pittsburgh, maybe the Coyotes won’t be as bad as most of the experts thought.
7. Mark Sheifele is off to a nice start after sniping a couple of goals in his first two games of the season. Last year, those would have been ringing off the iron,
8. I have been very impressed with Nikolaj Ehlers poise with the puck so far this season. Most rookies are afraid to make plays for fear of making mistakes. It’s early but I like what I see.
9. I wonder how Connor McDavid feels watching all the other rookies notching their first NHL goals and a few of them in their first NHL game. Maybe someone will ask him next June after he’s finished accepting the Calder Trophy!
10. It has only been a couple of games but the difference between Ondrej Pavelec’s and Michael Hutchinson’s puck-handling ability is like night and day AND it is really causing some confusion for the defencemen.
11. Ho-Hum ….. STILL nothing to update in regards to a Dustin Byfuglien or Andrew Ladd extension.
12. Countdowns:
A. Jets 1st regular season home game: 5 days (vs Calgary)
B. 2016 World Cup: 342 days (Sept. 17-Oct. 1 in Toronto)
13. 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
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3. I’ll call Ehlers anything he wants to be called. What a talent!
7. Gee, look what happens when you actually hit the net! Some nice goals; good for him. Still, in the defensive and neutral zone…ummm…what is he thinking? Anyway, improvement from last season.
8. Me, too.
On another note, I wasn’t too impressed by the officiating in the Isles’ game. Ehlers, Chiarot, one of Buff’s penalties…WHAT?. No big deal. Isles looked good/really fast.
On another note, goaltending looks great. 3 and 1 roadie – awesome.
On another note, is it just me or are Trouba and Enstrom struggling in the d-zone? Trouba’s play should be of significant concern given his stellar beginning, which went south after Xmas last year – in my humble but often misguided opinion.
I think the Jets D has been average at best BUT we know they can elevate their game … I hope!