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.
1. The Winnipeg Jets went 2-2 last week after opening the season with two road wins (finished the road trip 3-1) and now have a 4-2 overall record. I think most of us would have taken that.
2. I love hockey but I hate the way the NHL has turned every game into a special teams contest. I am starting to NOT enjoy this brand of the NHL. This league goes from one extreme to another trying to re-invent the game and IMO it is turning into college hockey!
3. Congrats to Nikolaj Ehlers on scoring his first NHL goal against “King Henrik” in a 4-1 victory over the New York Rangers.
4. Right-winger, Blake Wheeler is off to a real nice start with points in ALL six games the Jets have played this season. In total he has 3 goals and 5 assists for 8 points.
5. I am concerned by the Jets loose defensive play early on this season. I would like to blame it on the newcomers BUT that isn’t quite the case. I’m hoping this is just an early season blip but if it wasn’t for the play of Ondrej Pavelec and Michael Hutchinson I’m not sure this team would be 4-2.
6. Should we be concerned that the Winnipeg Jets still can’t stay out of the penalty box. The constant parade is getting tiresome.
7. Was Anthony Peluso’s 4:59 of ice-time worth keeping Nic Petan out of the line-up Sunday versus the Blues?
8. IMHO the NHL has an officiating problem. The officials are calling penalties that just aren’t there and it is killing the flow of the game. (see #6)
9. TNSE released a statement that they will be addressing the problem with the obstructed views in the upper bowl (300 sections) by removing some unnecessary railings and glass as well as raising all the seats in the upper bowl by 2 1/2 inches. That’s all fine and dandy BUT are you telling me that this was never even considered before they started construction on the new loge seats?
10. AND is 2 1/2 inches going to eliminate the problem? I’d love to hear from some Jets fans that have obstructed views. The way I understand it, if fans in the loge seats stand the people in the first couple of rows in the 300’s can’t see anyway, so what is 2 1/2 inches going to do?
11. The sound of CRICKETS is all that’s coming from TNSE in regards to any news of a Dustin Byfuglien or Andrew Ladd contract extension.
12. Countdown to the 2016 World Cup: 335 days (Sept. 17-Oct. 1 in Toronto)
13. Once again the teams in the Central Division are kicking ass and taking names.
14. Bryan Little looks real sharp and very comfortable early on this season.
15. Andrew Ladd has looked very ordinary early on and that’s being kind. I wonder if his contract talks or lack of contract talks are taking a toll on him. Right now he doesn’t look like a six-year, thirty-six million dollar player.
16. Adam Pardy has seen a some playing time due to Ben Chiarot’s injury. I wonder when we’ll see Paul Postma?
17. Tobias Enstrom and Adam Pardy are still looking for their first point of the 2015-16 season.
18. The season has just started and I’m already tired of the yapping in scrums after whistles! Either drop your gloves or shut your yap.
19. In case you are wondering and especially based on some of my previous thoughts/comments, I am totally in favour of fighting in the NHL … BUT I am not in favour of “staged fights” or the need for an “enforcer” that is ONLY on the roster because he can fight.
20. 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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To open, I don’t think that I have been in more agreement with anyone on so many points.
1 – 6 Yep.
5. And, (and I’ve worried about this in writing for some time now), Trouba is doing the same stupid things that he did in the last half of last year. Which game did he try to beat the forechecker near the circle with 1:20 (ish) left? Was it the Calgary game? Where is the coaching? This has gone on too long. Trade Trouba to St. Louis (joke). So far, I have been wrong about the goaltending – it has been great.
7. Nope. Does Byfuglien play piano? If not, it might be nice if he actually rag-dolled and threw a few. He could keep the glove on his punching hand. What’s more, ‘OMG!’, I wonder what Bouwmeister felt like? Further, I liked Raffl from what I saw. I think they are acclimating him to the NA game. He will be up soon enough, and you can bet he’ll scrap as well as skate. IMO.
13. Indeed…which is why I think the Jets are on the outside looking in come playoffs. I wonder if Chevy is waiting until Xmas to decide on Ladd – Buff for that very reason.
19. Yeah, me, too…but, because I’m old, I worry about the kids in the stands, etc. seeing that kind of stuff with the crowd cheering for a beat-down. But, gawd, I admit, there’s nothing like seeing a good scrap on a sheet of ice.
Good luck, Jets. Still exciting with all its warts.
Re: #7 … I could see maybe dressing Peluso for the game in St. Louis but not at home unless PoMo just wanted to get him in a game. I’m not sure why Petan drew the short straw?
Do you think last change mattered in the decision?
Here it comes….I’m not sold on PoMo, completely. I’m not saying he isn’t a GOOD coach, but I wonder if there isn’t going to be a change in 2 years, or so.
The old school coach works with the old school team…but the identity is changing and so is the NHL.
Hope this makes sense.
Paul Maurice is definitely “old school” and I think he will always err on the side of toughness …. for now!
#7
Peluso can’t bring team toughness alone. And not when he’s only on the ice for 5 min. The Blues were mean and tough up and down their line up. Liberties taken on hits to Perreault, Ehlers and others.
PoMo sliding Peluso into a fourth line that then only justifies 5 min hurts more than helps.
true …. I think the parade to the penalty box by both teams had a lot to do with it too.