Random Thoughts On The Winnipeg Jets: Oct. 26

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 had a light schedule this past week and went 1-0-1 for 3 points for an overall record of 5-2-1.

2.  I am still bristling over the fact that Paul Maurice started Andrew Ladd for the 3 on 3 overtime versus the Lightning on Friday night.  He was virtually invisible the whole game and would have been FAR down the list of players I would have thrown out there.  

3.  How dangerous did Nikolaj Ehlers (Mr. Ehlers) look vs Tampa Bay? 

4.  Right-winger, Blake Wheeler extended his “start of the season” points streak to eight games with points against the Lightning and the Wild this week. 

5.  I really wish Pavelec would get off his knees and square up versus the shooter.  I am sick of watching shots fly over his shoulder when he goes down when he doesn’t have to.  All goaltenders do it nowadays and way too much IMO.       

6.  The Winnipeg Jets starting line-up on Friday night vs the Tampa Bay Lightning was Ondrej Pavelec, Dustin Byfuglien, Toby Enstrom, Bryan Little, Andrew Ladd, and Blake Wheeler.  I have no problem with these players but somehow it bothered me.  It felt like nothing has changed since the Jets first season in Winnipeg.  It was kind of eerie in a Twilight Zone kind of way.  OR maybe the Arizona heat just got to me!  

7.  I really like Paul Maurice but he occasionally does things that make me scratch my head.  Lately, the dressing of Anthony Peluso over Nic Petan vs St. Louis (I get his reasoning to a point) and starting Andrew Ladd for the 3 on 3 overtime vs Tampa Bay to name a couple.

8.  Was it just me or did it look like the officials gave Tampa Bay and Minnesota the benefit of a couple pretty obvious (at least to me) non-calls in the third period in the last two Jets games?     

9.  Dustin Byfuglien has been all over the place early on this season and not in a good way.  He’s been good, he’s been not so good and he looks a little out of control BUT nobody in the NHL makes a better first pass out of his zone than “Big Buff”.   

10.  Toby Enstrom does a lot of things well and he also has some warts but IMO he is not worth $5,750,000 per season.  He makes more than Blake Wheeler and Dustin Byfuglien!  Think about that!

11.  Right now I am kind of glad there isn’t much news coming from TNSE in regards to a Dustin Byfuglien or Andrew Ladd contract extension.  Not the way they’re both playing.

12.  I laughed when Buff said he didn’t like the 3 on 3 overtime.  He said “lets play real hockey like 4 on 4 or 5 on 5”.  I have to admit the 3 on 3 is exciting but it’s as much of a gimmick as the shoot-out.  The NHL just keeps digging that hole deeper trying to re-invent the game.  Thanks Gary but piss off already!  

13.  Victor Hedman has bad hair.  

14.  I really hope that Nik Ehlers doesn’t get the Mark Scheifele “goal post syndrome” this year.  (2 vs Tampa Bay and 1 vs Minny)    

15.  Everytime the Winnipeg Jets coaches put Toby Enstrom on the PK they should have to go to the “quiet room” to see if they are suffering from concussion-like symptoms!  I don’t know if that’s PoMo’s call or Charlie Huddy’s call but it’s cruel and unfair punishment for Toby.   

16.  Would it be fair to say we don’t see Paul Postma unless there is a plethora of injuries on the Jets blueline?

17.  Winnipeg Jets PP:  4th at 24%  

18.  Winnipeg Jets PK:  12th at 84.4%  

19.  Countdown to the 2016 World Cup:  328 days (Sept. 17-Oct. 1 in Toronto)  How many Winnipeg Jets do you think will be competing in this event?  

20.  If you are interested in writing for Winnipeg Hockey Talk or if you know somebody interested, please contact us at:

[email protected]  

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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